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Sample records for bind cytoplasmic 4fe-4s

  1. Study of the Thermodynamics of Chromium(III) and Chromium(VI) Binding to Fe3O4 and MnFe2O4 nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luther, Steven; Brogfeld, Nathan; Kim, Jisoo; Parsons, J.G.

    2013-01-01

    Removal of chromium(III) or (VI) from aqueous solution was achieved using Fe3O4, and MnFe2O4 nanomaterials. The nanomaterials were synthesized using a precipitation method and characterized using XRD. The size of the nanomaterials was determined to be 22.4 ± 0.9 nm (Fe3O4) and 15.5 ± 0.5 nm (MnFe2O4). The optimal binding pH for chromium(III) and chromium(VI) were pH 6 and pH 3. Isotherm studies were performed, under light and dark conditions, to determine the capacity of the nanomaterials. The capacities for the light studies with MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 were determined to be 7.189 and 10.63 mg/g, respectively, for chromium(III). The capacities for the light studies with MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 were 3.21 and 3.46 mg/g, respectively, for chromium(VI). Under dark reaction conditions the binding of chromium(III) to the MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 nanomaterials were 5.74 and 15.9 mg/g, respectively. The binding capacity for the binding of chromium(VI) to MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 under dark reaction conditions were 3.87 and 8.54 mg/g, respectively. The thermodynamics for the reactions showed negative ΔG values, and positive ΔH values. The ΔS values were positive for the binding of chromium(III) and for chromium(VI) binding under dark reaction conditions. The ΔS values for chromium(VI) binding under the light reaction conditions were determined to be negative. PMID:23558081

  2. The [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster in reconstituted biotin synthase binds S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cosper, Michele Mader; Jameson, Guy N L; Davydov, Roman; Eidsness, Marly K; Hoffman, Brian M; Huynh, Boi Hanh; Johnson, Michael K

    2002-11-27

    The combination of resonance Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopies has been used to investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) on the spectroscopic properties of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in biotin synthase. The results indicate that SAM interacts directly at a unique iron site of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in BioB and support the hypothesis of a common inner-sphere mechanism for the reductive cleavage of SAM in the radical SAM family of Fe-S enzymes.

  3. Bacillus cereus Fnr binds a [4Fe-4S] cluster and forms a ternary complex with ResD and PlcR

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Esbelin Julia

    2012-06-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Bacillus cereus is a facultative anaerobe that causes diarrheal disease in humans. Diarrheal syndrome may result from the secretion of various virulence factors including hemolysin BL and nonhemolytic enterotoxin Nhe. Expression of genes encoding Hbl and Nhe is regulated by the two redox systems, ResDE and Fnr, and the virulence regulator PlcR. B. cereus Fnr is a member of the Crp/Fnr family of iron-sulfur (Fe-S proteins. Only its apo-form has so far been studied. A major goal in deciphering the Fnr-dependent regulation of enterotoxin genes is thus to obtain and characterize holoFnr. Results Fnr has been subjected to in vitro Fe-S cluster reconstitution under anoxic conditions. UV-visible and EPR spectroscopic analyses together with the chemical estimation of the iron content indicated that Fnr binds one [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster per monomer. Atmospheric O2 causes disassembly of the Fe-S cluster, which exhibited a half-life of 15 min in air. Holo- and apoFnr have similar affinities for the nhe and hbl promoter regions, while holoFnr has a higher affinity for fnr promoter region than apoFnr. Both the apo- and holo-form of Fnr interact with ResD and PlcR to form a ternary complex. Conclusions Overall, this work shows that incorporation of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster is not required for DNA binding of Fnr to promoter regions of hbl and nhe enterotoxin genes or for the formation of a ternary complex with ResD and PlcR. This points to some new unusual properties of Fnr that may have physiological relevance in the redox regulation of enterotoxin gene regulation.

  4. Protonation/reduction dynamics at the [4Fe-4S] cluster of the hydrogen-forming cofactor in [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Senger, Moritz; Mebs, Stefan; Duan, Jifu; Shulenina, Olga; Laun, Konstantin; Kertess, Leonie; Wittkamp, Florian; Apfel, Ulf-Peter; Happe, Thomas; Winkler, Martin; Haumann, Michael; Stripp, Sven T

    2018-01-31

    The [FeFe]-hydrogenases of bacteria and algae are the most efficient hydrogen conversion catalysts in nature. Their active-site cofactor (H-cluster) comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster linked to a unique diiron site that binds three carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN - ) ligands. Understanding microbial hydrogen conversion requires elucidation of the interplay of proton and electron transfer events at the H-cluster. We performed real-time spectroscopy on [FeFe]-hydrogenase protein films under controlled variation of atmospheric gas composition, sample pH, and reductant concentration. Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor shifts of the CO/CN - vibrational bands in response to redox and protonation changes. Three different [FeFe]-hydrogenases and several protein and cofactor variants were compared, including element and isotopic exchange studies. A protonated equivalent (HoxH) of the oxidized state (Hox) was found, which preferentially accumulated at acidic pH and under reducing conditions. We show that the one-electron reduced state Hred' represents an intrinsically protonated species. Interestingly, the formation of HoxH and Hred' was independent of the established proton pathway to the diiron site. Quantum chemical calculations of the respective CO/CN - infrared band patterns favored a cysteine ligand of the [4Fe-4S] cluster as the protonation site in HoxH and Hred'. We propose that proton-coupled electron transfer facilitates reduction of the [4Fe-4S] cluster and prevents premature formation of a hydride at the catalytic diiron site. Our findings imply that protonation events both at the [4Fe-4S] cluster and at the diiron site of the H-cluster are important in the hydrogen conversion reaction of [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

  5. A [4Fe-4S]-Fe(CO)(CN)-l-cysteine intermediate is the first organometallic precursor in [FeFe] hydrogenase H-cluster bioassembly

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rao, Guodong; Tao, Lizhi; Suess, Daniel L. M.; Britt, R. David

    2018-05-01

    Biosynthesis of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site (the 'H-cluster') requires the interplay of multiple proteins and small molecules. Among them, the radical S-adenosylmethionine enzyme HydG, a tyrosine lyase, has been proposed to generate a complex that contains an Fe(CO)2(CN) moiety that is eventually incorporated into the H-cluster. Here we describe the characterization of an intermediate in the HydG reaction: a [4Fe-4S][(Cys)Fe(CO)(CN)] species, 'Complex A', in which a CO, a CN- and a cysteine (Cys) molecule bind to the unique 'dangler' Fe site of the auxiliary [5Fe-4S] cluster of HydG. The identification of this intermediate—the first organometallic precursor to the H-cluster—validates the previously hypothesized HydG reaction cycle and provides a basis for elucidating the biosynthetic origin of other moieties of the H-cluster.

  6. Formation, spectroscopic characterization, and solution stability of an [Fe4S4]2+ cluster derived from β-cyclodextrin dithiolate.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lo, Wayne; Zhang, Ping; Ling, Chang-Chun; Huang, Shaw; Holm, R H

    2012-09-17

    The formation and solution properties, including stability in mixed aqueous-Me(2)SO media, have been investigated for an [Fe(4)S(4)](2+) cluster derived from β-cyclodextrin (CD) dithiolate. Clusters of the type [Fe(4)S(4)(SAr)(4)](2-) (Ar = Ph, C(6)H(4)-3-F) are generated in Me(2)SO by redox reactions of [Fe(4)S(4)(SEt)(4)](2-) with 2 equiv of ArSSAr. An analogous reaction with the intramolecular disulfide of 6(A),6(D)-(3-NHCOC(6)H(4)-1-SH)(2)-6(A),6(D)-dideoxy-β-cyclodextrin (14), whose synthesis is described, affords a completely substituted cluster formulated as [Fe(4)S(4){β-CD-(1,3-NHCOC(6)H(4)S)(2)}(2)](2-) (15). Ligand binding is indicated by a circular dichroism spectrum and also by UV-visible and isotropically shifted (1)H NMR spectra and redox behavior convincingly similar to [Fe(4)S(4)(SPh)(4)](2-). One formulation of 15 is a single cluster to which two dithiolates are bound, each in bidentate coordination. With there being no proven precedent for this binding mode, we show that the cluster [Fe(4)S(4)(S(2)-m-xyl)(2)](2-) is a single cubane whose m-xylyldithiolate ligands are bound in a bidentate arrangement. This same structure type was proposed for a cluster formulated as [Fe(4)S(4){β-CD-(1,3-SC(6)H(4)S)(2)}(2)](2-) (16; Kuroda et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.1988, 110, 4049-4050) and reported to be water-stable. Clusters 15 and 16 are derived from similar ligands differing only in the spacer group between the thiolate binding site and the CD platform. In our search for clusters stable in aqueous or organic-aqueous mixed solvents that are potential candidates for the reconstitution of scaffold proteins implicated in cluster biogenesis, 15 is the most stable cluster that we have thus far encountered under anaerobic conditions in the absence of added ligand.

  7. NMR of proteins (4Fe-4S): structural properties and intramolecular electron transfer; RMN de proteines (4Fe-4S): proprietes structurales et transfert electronique intramoleculaire

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Huber, J G

    1996-10-17

    NMR started to be applied to Fe-S proteins in the seventies. Its use has recently been enlarged as the problems arising from the paramagnetic polymetallic clusters ware overcome. Applications to [4Fe-4S] are presented herein. The information derived thereof deepens the understanding of the redox properties of these proteins which play a central role in the metabolism of bacterial cells. The secondary structure elements and the overall folding of Chromatium vinosum ferredoxin (Cv Fd) in solution have been established by NMR. The unique features of this sequence have been shown to fold as an {alpha} helix at the C-terminus and as a loop between two cysteines ligand of one cluster: these two parts localize in close proximity from one another. The interaction between nuclear and electronic spins is a source of additional structural information for (4Fe-AS] proteins. The conformation of the cysteine-ligands, as revealed by the Fe-(S{sub {gamma}}-C{sub {beta}}-H{sub {beta}})Cys dihedral angles, is related to the chemical shifts of the signals associated with the protons of these residues. The longitudinal relaxation times of the protons depend on their distance to the cluster. A quantitative relationship has been established and used to show that the solution structure of the high-potential ferredoxin from Cv differs significantly from the crystal structure around Phe-48. Both parameters (chemical shifts and longitudinal relaxation times) give also insight into the electronic and magnetic properties of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. The rate of intramolecular electron transfer between the two [4FE-4S] clusters of ferredoxins has been measured by NMR. It is far slower in the case of Cv Fd than for shorter ferredoxins. The difference may be associated with changes in the magnetic and/or electronic properties of one cluster. The strong paramagnetism of the [4Fe-4S] clusters, which originally limited the applicability of NMR to proteins containing these cofactors, has been proven

  8. Control of eIF4E cellular localization by eIF4E-binding proteins, 4E-BPs

    OpenAIRE

    Rong, Liwei; Livingstone, Mark; Sukarieh, Rami; Petroulakis, Emmanuel; Gingras, Anne-Claude; Crosby, Katherine; Smith, Bradley; Polakiewicz, Roberto D.; Pelletier, Jerry; Ferraiuolo, Maria A.; Sonenberg, Nahum

    2008-01-01

    Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E, the mRNA 5′-cap-binding protein, mediates the association of eIF4F with the mRNA 5′-cap structure to stimulate cap-dependent translation initiation in the cytoplasm. The assembly of eIF4E into the eIF4F complex is negatively regulated through a family of repressor proteins, called the eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). eIF4E is also present in the nucleus, where it is thought to stimulate nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of certain mRNAs. eIF4E is transported...

  9. Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured Fe3S4, an isostructural compound of half-metallic Fe3O4

    KAUST Repository

    Li, Peng; Xia, Chuan; Zhang, Qiang; Guo, Zaibing; Cui, Wenyao; Bai, Haili; Alshareef, Husam N.; Zhang, Xixiang

    2015-01-01

    High-purity, well-crystallized spinel Fe3S4 nanoplatelets were synthesized by the hydrothermal method, and the saturation magnetic moment of Fe3S4 was measured at 1.83 μB/f.u. The temperature-dependent resistivity of Fe3S4 was metallic

  10. Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured Fe3S4, an isostructural compound of half-metallic Fe3O4

    KAUST Repository

    Li, Peng

    2015-06-10

    High-purity, well-crystallized spinel Fe3S4 nanoplatelets were synthesized by the hydrothermal method, and the saturation magnetic moment of Fe3S4 was measured at 1.83 μB/f.u. The temperature-dependent resistivity of Fe3S4 was metallic-like for T < 180 K: room-temperature resistivity was measured at 7.711 × 103  μΩ cm. The anomalous Hall conductivity of Fe3S4 decreased with increasing longitudinal conductivity, in sharp contrast with the accepted theory of the anomalous Hall effect in a dirty-metal regime. Furthermore, negligible spin-dependent magnetoresistance was observed. Band structure calculations confirmed our experimental observations that Fe3S4 is a metal and not a half metal as expected.

  11. NMR of proteins (4Fe-4S): structural properties and intramolecular electron transfer

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Huber, J.G.

    1996-01-01

    NMR started to be applied to Fe-S proteins in the seventies. Its use has recently been enlarged as the problems arising from the paramagnetic polymetallic clusters ware overcome. Applications to [4Fe-4S] are presented herein. The information derived thereof deepens the understanding of the redox properties of these proteins which play a central role in the metabolism of bacterial cells. The secondary structure elements and the overall folding of Chromatium vinosum ferredoxin (Cv Fd) in solution have been established by NMR. The unique features of this sequence have been shown to fold as an α helix at the C-terminus and as a loop between two cysteines ligand of one cluster: these two parts localize in close proximity from one another. The interaction between nuclear and electronic spins is a source of additional structural information for (4Fe-AS] proteins. The conformation of the cysteine-ligands, as revealed by the Fe-(S γ -C β -H β )Cys dihedral angles, is related to the chemical shifts of the signals associated with the protons of these residues. The longitudinal relaxation times of the protons depend on their distance to the cluster. A quantitative relationship has been established and used to show that the solution structure of the high-potential ferredoxin from Cv differs significantly from the crystal structure around Phe-48. Both parameters (chemical shifts and longitudinal relaxation times) give also insight into the electronic and magnetic properties of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. The rate of intramolecular electron transfer between the two [4FE-4S] clusters of ferredoxins has been measured by NMR. It is far slower in the case of Cv Fd than for shorter ferredoxins. The difference may be associated with changes in the magnetic and/or electronic properties of one cluster. The strong paramagnetism of the [4Fe-4S] clusters, which originally limited the applicability of NMR to proteins containing these cofactors, has been proven instrumental in affording new

  12. The iron uptake repressor Fep1 in the fission yeast binds Fe-S cluster through conserved cysteines

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kim, Hyo-Jin; Lee, Kang-Lok; Kim, Kyoung-Dong; Roe, Jung-Hye, E-mail: jhroe@snu.ac.kr

    2016-09-09

    Iron homeostasis is tightly regulated since iron is an essential but toxic element in the cell. The GATA-type transcription factor Fep1 and its orthologs contribute to iron homeostasis in many fungi by repressing genes for iron uptake when intracellular iron is high. Even though the function and interaction partners of Fep1 have been elucidated extensively In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the mechanism behind iron-sensing by Fep1 remains elusive. It has been reported that Fep1 interacts with Fe-S-containing monothiol glutaredoxin Grx4 and Grx4-Fra2 complex. In this study, we demonstrate that Fep1 also binds iron, in the form of Fe-S cluster. Spectroscopic and biochemical analyses of as isolated and reconstituted Fep1 suggest that the dimeric Fep1 binds Fe-S clusters. The mutation study revealed that the cluster-binding depended on the conserved cysteines located between the two zinc fingers in the DNA binding domain. EPR analyses revealed [Fe-S]-specific peaks indicative of mixed presence of [2Fe-2S], [3Fe-4S], or [4Fe-4S]. The finding that Fep1 is an Fe-S protein fits nicely with the model that the Fe-S-trafficking Grx4 senses intracellular iron environment and modulates the activity of Fep1. - Highlights: • Fep1, a prototype fungal iron uptake regulator, was isolated stably from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. • Fep1 exhibits UV–visible absorption spectrum, characteristic of [Fe-S] proteins. • The iron and sulfide contents in purified or reconstituted Fep1 also support [Fe-S]. • The conserved cysteines are critical for [Fe-S]-binding. • EPR spectra at 5 K and 123 K suggest a mixed population of [Fe-S].

  13. Homologous Transcription Factors DUX4 and DUX4c Associate with Cytoplasmic Proteins during Muscle Differentiation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Eugénie Ansseau

    Full Text Available Hundreds of double homeobox (DUX genes map within 3.3-kb repeated elements dispersed in the human genome and encode DNA-binding proteins. Among these, we identified DUX4, a potent transcription factor that causes facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD. In the present study, we performed yeast two-hybrid screens and protein co-purifications with HaloTag-DUX fusions or GST-DUX4 pull-down to identify protein partners of DUX4, DUX4c (which is identical to DUX4 except for the end of the carboxyl terminal domain and DUX1 (which is limited to the double homeodomain. Unexpectedly, we identified and validated (by co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down, co-immunofluorescence and in situ Proximal Ligation Assay the interaction of DUX4, DUX4c and DUX1 with type III intermediate filament protein desmin in the cytoplasm and at the nuclear periphery. Desmin filaments link adjacent sarcomere at the Z-discs, connect them to sarcolemma proteins and interact with mitochondria. These intermediate filament also contact the nuclear lamina and contribute to positioning of the nuclei. Another Z-disc protein, LMCD1 that contains a LIM domain was also validated as a DUX4 partner. The functionality of DUX4 or DUX4c interactions with cytoplasmic proteins is underscored by the cytoplasmic detection of DUX4/DUX4c upon myoblast fusion. In addition, we identified and validated (by co-immunoprecipitation, co-immunofluorescence and in situ Proximal Ligation Assay as DUX4/4c partners several RNA-binding proteins such as C1QBP, SRSF9, RBM3, FUS/TLS and SFPQ that are involved in mRNA splicing and translation. FUS and SFPQ are nuclear proteins, however their cytoplasmic translocation was reported in neuronal cells where they associated with ribonucleoparticles (RNPs. Several other validated or identified DUX4/DUX4c partners are also contained in mRNP granules, and the co-localizations with cytoplasmic DAPI-positive spots is in keeping with such an association. Large muscle RNPs

  14. Localization and function of KLF4 in cytoplasm of vascular smooth muscle cell

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, Yan; Zheng, Bin; Zhang, Xin-hua; Nie, Chan-juan; Li, Yong-hui; Wen, Jin-kun

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: •PDGF-BB prompts the translocation of KLF4 to the cytoplasm. •PDGF-BB promotes interaction between KLF4 and actin in the cytoplasm. •Phosphorylation and SUMOylation of KLF4 participates in regulation of cytoskeletal organization. •KLF4 regulates cytoskeleton by promoting the expression of contraction-associated genes. -- Abstract: The Krüppel-like factor 4 is a DNA-binding transcriptional regulator that regulates a diverse array of cellular processes, including development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The previous studies about KLF4 functions mainly focused on its role as a transcription factor, its functions in the cytoplasm are still unknown. In this study, we found that PDGF-BB could prompt the translocation of KLF4 to the cytoplasm through CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increased the interaction of KLF4 with actin in the cytoplasm. Further study showed that both KLF4 phosphorylation and SUMOylation induced by PDGF-BB participates in regulation of cytoskeletal organization by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton in VSMCs. In conclusion, these results identify that KLF4 participates in the cytoskeletal organization by stabilizing cytoskeleton in the cytoplasm of VSMCs

  15. Localization and function of KLF4 in cytoplasm of vascular smooth muscle cell

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Yan [Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Vascular Biology (China); The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijazhuang (China); Zheng, Bin; Zhang, Xin-hua; Nie, Chan-juan; Li, Yong-hui [Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Vascular Biology (China); Wen, Jin-kun, E-mail: wjk@hebmu.edu.cn [Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Vascular Biology (China)

    2013-06-28

    Highlights: •PDGF-BB prompts the translocation of KLF4 to the cytoplasm. •PDGF-BB promotes interaction between KLF4 and actin in the cytoplasm. •Phosphorylation and SUMOylation of KLF4 participates in regulation of cytoskeletal organization. •KLF4 regulates cytoskeleton by promoting the expression of contraction-associated genes. -- Abstract: The Krüppel-like factor 4 is a DNA-binding transcriptional regulator that regulates a diverse array of cellular processes, including development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The previous studies about KLF4 functions mainly focused on its role as a transcription factor, its functions in the cytoplasm are still unknown. In this study, we found that PDGF-BB could prompt the translocation of KLF4 to the cytoplasm through CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increased the interaction of KLF4 with actin in the cytoplasm. Further study showed that both KLF4 phosphorylation and SUMOylation induced by PDGF-BB participates in regulation of cytoskeletal organization by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton in VSMCs. In conclusion, these results identify that KLF4 participates in the cytoskeletal organization by stabilizing cytoskeleton in the cytoplasm of VSMCs.

  16. Biopanning and characterization of peptides with Fe3O4 nanoparticles-binding capability via phage display random peptide library technique.

    Science.gov (United States)

    You, Fei; Yin, Guangfu; Pu, Ximing; Li, Yucan; Hu, Yang; Huang, Zhongbin; Liao, Xiaoming; Yao, Yadong; Chen, Xianchun

    2016-05-01

    Functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) play an important role in biomedical applications. A proper functionalization of NPs can improve biocompatibility, avoid a loss of bioactivity, and further endow NPs with unique performances. Modification with vairous specific binding biomolecules from random biological libraries has been explored. In this work, two 7-mer peptides with sequences of HYIDFRW and TVNFKLY were selected from a phage display random peptide library by using ferromagnetic NPs as targets, and were verified to display strong binding affinity to Fe3O4 NPs. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of peptides on the surface of Fe3O4 NPs. Sequence analyses revealed that the probable binding mechanism between the peptide and Fe3O4 NPs might be driven by Pearson hard acid-hard base specific interaction and hydrogen bonds, accompanied with hydrophilic interactions and non-specific electrostatic attractions. The cell viability assay indicated a good cytocompatibility of peptide-bound Fe3O4 NPs. Furthermore, TVNFKLY peptide and an ovarian tumor cell A2780 specific binding peptide (QQTNWSL) were conjugated to afford a liner 14-mer peptide (QQTNWSLTVNFKLY). The binding and targeting studies showed that 14-mer peptide was able to retain both the strong binding ability to Fe3O4 NPs and the specific binding ability to A2780 cells. The results suggested that the Fe3O4-binding peptides would be of great potential in the functionalization of Fe3O4 NPs for the tumor-targeted drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Control of eIF4E cellular localization by eIF4E-binding proteins, 4E-BPs.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rong, Liwei; Livingstone, Mark; Sukarieh, Rami; Petroulakis, Emmanuel; Gingras, Anne-Claude; Crosby, Katherine; Smith, Bradley; Polakiewicz, Roberto D; Pelletier, Jerry; Ferraiuolo, Maria A; Sonenberg, Nahum

    2008-07-01

    Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E, the mRNA 5'-cap-binding protein, mediates the association of eIF4F with the mRNA 5'-cap structure to stimulate cap-dependent translation initiation in the cytoplasm. The assembly of eIF4E into the eIF4F complex is negatively regulated through a family of repressor proteins, called the eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). eIF4E is also present in the nucleus, where it is thought to stimulate nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of certain mRNAs. eIF4E is transported to the nucleus via its interaction with 4E-T (4E-transporter), but it is unclear how it is retained in the nucleus. Here we show that a sizable fraction (approximately 30%) of 4E-BP1 is localized to the nucleus, where it binds eIF4E. In mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) subjected to serum starvation and/or rapamycin treatment, nuclear 4E-BPs sequester eIF4E in the nucleus. A dramatic loss of nuclear 4E-BP1 occurs in c-Ha-Ras-expressing MEFs, which fail to show starvation-induced nuclear accumulation of eIF4E. Therefore, 4E-BP1 is a regulator of eIF4E cellular localization.

  18. 4-Demethylwyosine Synthase from Pyrococcus abyssi Is a Radical-S-adenosyl-l-methionine Enzyme with an Additional [4Fe-4S]+2 Cluster That Interacts with the Pyruvate Co-substrate*

    Science.gov (United States)

    Perche-Letuvée, Phanélie; Kathirvelu, Velavan; Berggren, Gustav; Clemancey, Martin; Latour, Jean-Marc; Maurel, Vincent; Douki, Thierry; Armengaud, Jean; Mulliez, Etienne; Fontecave, Marc; Garcia-Serres, Ricardo; Gambarelli, Serge; Atta, Mohamed

    2012-01-01

    Wybutosine and its derivatives are found in position 37 of tRNA encoding Phe in eukaryotes and archaea. They are believed to play a key role in the decoding function of the ribosome. The second step in the biosynthesis of wybutosine is catalyzed by TYW1 protein, which is a member of the well established class of metalloenzymes called “Radical-SAM.” These enzymes use a [4Fe-4S] cluster, chelated by three cysteines in a CX3CX2C motif, and S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to generate a 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical that initiates various chemically challenging reactions. Sequence analysis of TYW1 proteins revealed, in the N-terminal half of the enzyme beside the Radical-SAM cysteine triad, an additional highly conserved cysteine motif. In this study we show by combining analytical and spectroscopic methods including UV-visible absorption, Mössbauer, EPR, and HYSCORE spectroscopies that these additional cysteines are involved in the coordination of a second [4Fe-4S] cluster displaying a free coordination site that interacts with pyruvate, the second substrate of the reaction. The presence of two distinct iron-sulfur clusters on TYW1 is reminiscent of MiaB, another tRNA-modifying metalloenzyme whose active form was shown to bind two iron-sulfur clusters. A possible role for the second [4Fe-4S] cluster in the enzyme activity is discussed. PMID:23043105

  19. Spin-dependent electronic transport characteristics in Fe4N/BiFeO3/Fe4N perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yin, Li; Wang, Xiaocha; Mi, Wenbo

    2018-01-01

    Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) have attracted increasing attention owing to the low energy consumption and wide application prospects. Herewith, against Julliere's formula, an inverse tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) appears in tetragonal Fe4N/BiFeO3/Fe4N perpendicular MTJs, which is attributed to the binding between the interface resonant tunneling state and central (bordered) hot spots. Especially, antiferromagnetic BiFeO3 shows an extra spin-polarized resonant state in the barrier, which provides a magnetic-barrier factor to affect the tunneling transport in MTJs. Meanwhile, due to the spin-polarized transport in Fe4N/BiFeO3/Fe4N MTJs, the sign of TMR can be tuned by the applied bias. The tunable TMR and resonant magnetic barrier effect pave the way for clarifying the tunneling transport in other junctions and spintronic devices.

  20. The adenovirus E4 11 k protein binds and relocalizes the cytoplasmic P-body component Ddx6 to aggresomes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Greer, Amy E.; Hearing, Patrick; Ketner, Gary

    2011-01-01

    The adenovirus E4 11 k protein, product of E4 ORF3, is required in infection for processes including normal accumulation of viral late mRNAs. 11 k restructures both the nucleus and cytoplasm of infected cells by relocalizing specific host cell target proteins, most strikingly components of nuclear PML oncogenic domains. It is likely that in many cases relocalization inactivates target proteins to produce 11 k's effects, although the mechanism and targets for stimulation of late mRNA accumulation is unknown. We have identified a new set of proteins relocalized by 11 k: at least five protein components of cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies (p-bodies) are found in 11 k-induced cytoplasmic aggresomes, sites where proteins are inactivated or destroyed. One of these p-body proteins, RNA helicase Ddx6, binds 11 k, suggesting a mechanism for relocalization. Because p-bodies are sites for mRNA degradation, their modification by 11 k may provide an explanation for the role of 11 k in viral late mRNA accumulation.

  1. Fe-S cluster coordination of the chromokinesin KIF4A alters its sub-cellular localization during mitosis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ben-Shimon, Lilach; Paul, Viktoria D; David-Kadoch, Galit; Volpe, Marina; Stümpfig, Martin; Bill, Eckhard; Mühlenhoff, Ulrich; Lill, Roland; Ben-Aroya, Shay

    2018-05-30

    Fe-S clusters act as co-factors of proteins with diverse functions, e.g. in DNA repair. Down-regulation of the cytosolic iron-sulfur protein assembly (CIA) machinery promotes genomic instability by the inactivation of multiple DNA repair pathways. Furthermore, CIA deficiencies are associated with so far unexplained mitotic defects. Here, we show that CIA2B and MMS19, constituents of the CIA targeting complex involved in facilitating Fe-S cluster insertion into cytosolic and nuclear target proteins, co-localize with components of the mitotic machinery. Down-regulation of CIA2B and MMS19 impairs the mitotic cycle. We identify the chromokinesin KIF4A as a mitotic component involved in these effects. KIF4A binds a Fe-S cluster in vitro through its conserved cysteine-rich domain. We demonstrate in vivo that this domain is required for the mitosis-related KIF4A localization and for the mitotic defects associated with KIF4A knockout. KIF4A is the first identified mitotic component carrying such a post-translational modification. These findings suggest that the lack of Fe-S clusters in KIF4A upon down-regulation of the CIA targeting complex contributes to the mitotic defects. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  2. Rational synthesis of high nuclearity Mo/Fe/S clusters: the reductive coupling approach in the convenient synthesis of (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PR(3))(6) [R = Et, (n)Pr, (n)Bu] and the new [(Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(2)S(3)O(PEt(3))(3)Cl]-1/2(Fe(PEt(3))(2)(MeCN)(4)) and (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(3)S(5)(PEt(3))(5) clusters.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, J; Koutmos, M; Ahmad, S A; Coucouvanis, D

    2001-11-05

    A general method for the synthesis of high nuclearity Mo/Fe/S clusters is presented and involves the reductive coupling of the (Et(4)N)(2)[(Cl(4)-cat)MoOFeS(2)Cl(2)] (I) and (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(2)S(2)Cl(4)] (II) clusters. The reaction of I and II with Fe(PR(3))(2)Cl(2) or sodium salts of noncoordinating anions such as NaPF(6) or NaBPh(4) in the presence of PR(3) (R = Et, (n)Pr, or (n)Bu) affords (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PR(3))(6) [R = Et (IIIa), (n)Pr (IIIb), (n)Bu (IIIc)], Fe(6)S(6)(PEt(3))(4)Cl(2) (IV) and (PF(6))[Fe(6)S(8)(P(n)Pr(3))(6)] (V) as byproducts. The isolation of (Et(4)N)[Fe(PEt(3))Cl(3)] (VI), NaCl, and SPEt(3) supports a reductive coupling mechanism. Cluster IV and V also have been synthesized by the reductive self-coupling of compound II. The reductive coupling reaction between I and II by PEt(3) and NaPF(6) in a 1:1 ratio produces the (Et(4)N)(2)[(Cl(4)-cat)Mo(L)Fe(3)S(4)Cl(3)] clusters [L = MeCN (VIIa), THF (VIIb)]. The hitherto unknown [(Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(2)S(3)O(PEt(3))(3)Cl](+) cluster (VIII) has been isolated as the 2:1 salt of the (Fe(PEt(3))(2)(MeCN)(4))(2+) cation after the reductive self-coupling reaction of I in the presence of Fe(PEt(3))(2)Cl(2). Cluster VIII crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 11.098(3) A, b = 22.827(6) A, c = 25.855(6) A, beta = 91.680(4) degrees, and Z = 4. The formal oxidation states of metal atoms in VIII have been assigned as Mo(III), Mo(IV), Fe(II), and Fe(III) on the basis of zero-field Mössbauer spectra. The Fe(PEt(3))(2)(MeCN)(4) cation of VIII is also synthesized independently, isolated as the BPh(4)(-) salt (IX), and has been structurally characterized. The reductive coupling of compound I also affords in low yield the new (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(3)S(5)(PEt(3))(5) cluster (X) as a byproduct. Cluster X crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 14.811(3) A, b = 22.188(4) A, c = 21.864(4) A, beta = 100.124(3) degrees, and Z = 4 and the structure shows very short Mo-Fe

  3. Rates of proton transfer to Fe-S-based clusters: comparison of clusters containing {MFe(mu(2)-S)(2)}n+ and {MFe(3)(mu(3)-S)(4)}n+ (M = Fe, Mo, or W) cores.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bates, Katie; Garrett, Brendan; Henderson, Richard A

    2007-12-24

    The rates of proton transfer from [pyrH]+ (pyr = pyrrolidine) to the binuclear complexes [Fe2S2Cl4]2- and [S2MS2FeCl2]2- (M = Mo or W) are reported. The reactions were studied using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, and the rate constants for proton transfer were determined from analysis of the kinetics of the substitution reactions of these clusters with the nucleophiles Br- or PhS- in the presence of [pyrH]+. In general, Br- is a poor nucleophile for these clusters, and proton transfer occurs before Br- binds, allowing direct measure of the rate of proton transfer from [pyrH]+ to the cluster. In contrast, PhS- is a better nucleophile, and a pathway in which PhS- binds preferentially to the cluster prior to proton transfer from [pyrH]+ usually operates. For the reaction of [Fe2S2Cl4]2- with PhS- in the presence of [pyrH]+ both pathways are observed. Comparison of the results presented in this paper with analogous studies reported earlier on cuboidal Fe-S-based clusters allows discussion of the factors which affect the rates of proton transfer in synthetic clusters including the nuclearity of the cluster core, the metal composition, and the nature of the terminal ligands. The possible relevance of these findings to the protonation sites of natural Fe-S-based clusters, including FeMo-cofactor from nitrogenase, are presented.

  4. Computational Chemistry of Modified [MFe3S4] and [M2Fe2S4] Clusters: Assessment of Trends in Electronic Structure and Properties

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kepp, Kasper Planeta; Ooi, Bee Lean; Christensen, Hans Erik Mølager

    2008-01-01

    The aim of this work is to understand the molecular evolution of iron−sulfur clusters in terms of electronic structure and function. Metal-substituted models of biological [Fe4S4] clusters in oxidation states [MxFe4−xS4]3+/2+/1+ have been studied by density functional theory (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, ...

  5. Role of PO4 tetrahedron in LiFePO4 and FePO4 system.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zeng, Yuewu

    2015-06-01

    Using high resolution transmission electron microscopy with image simulation and Fourier analysis, the Li1- x FePO4 (x < 0.01), Li1- x FePO4 (x ∼ 0.5), and FePO4 particles, prepared by charging or discharging the 053048 electrochemical cells (thickness: 5 mm, width: 30 mm, height: 48 mm) and dismantled inside an Ar-filled dry box, were investigated. The high resolution images reveal: (1) the solid solution of Li1- x FePO4 (x < 0.01) contains some missing Li ions leading PO4 group distorted around M1 tunnel of the unit cell; (2) the texture of the particles of Li1- x FePO4 (x ∼0.5) has homogeneously distributed compositional domains of LiFePO4 and FePO4 resulting from spinodal decomposition which promote Li ion easily getting into the particle due to uphill diffusion, (3) the particles of FePO4 formed in charging have heavily distorted lattice and contain some isolated LiFePO4 , (4) interface between LiFePO4 and FePO4 and between amorphous and crystal region provides the lattice distortion of small polarons. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. The Escherichia coli BolA Protein IbaG Forms a Histidine-Ligated [2Fe-2S]-Bridged Complex with Grx4.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dlouhy, Adrienne C; Li, Haoran; Albetel, Angela-Nadia; Zhang, Bo; Mapolelo, Daphne T; Randeniya, Sajini; Holland, Ashley A; Johnson, Michael K; Outten, Caryn E

    2016-12-13

    Two ubiquitous protein families have emerged as key players in iron metabolism, the CGFS-type monothiol glutaredoxins (Grxs) and the BolA proteins. Monothiol Grxs and BolA proteins form heterocomplexes that have been implicated in Fe-S cluster assembly and trafficking. The Escherichia coli genome encodes members of both of these proteins families, namely, the monothiol glutaredoxin Grx4 and two BolA family proteins, BolA and IbaG. Previous work has demonstrated that E. coli Grx4 and BolA interact as both apo and [2Fe-2S]-bridged heterodimers that are spectroscopically distinct from [2Fe-2S]-bridged Grx4 homodimers. However, the physical and functional interactions between Grx4 and IbaG are uncharacterized. Here we show that co-expression of Grx4 with IbaG yields a [2Fe-2S]-bridged Grx4-IbaG heterodimer. In vitro interaction studies indicate that IbaG binds the [2Fe-2S] Grx4 homodimer to form apo Grx4-IbaG heterodimer as well as the [2Fe-2S] Grx4-IbaG heterodimer, altering the cluster stability and coordination environment. Additionally, spectroscopic and mutagenesis studies provide evidence that IbaG ligates the Fe-S cluster via the conserved histidine that is present in all BolA proteins and by a second conserved histidine that is present in the H/C loop of two of the four classes of BolA proteins. These results suggest that IbaG may function in Fe-S cluster assembly and trafficking in E. coli as demonstrated for other BolA homologues that interact with monothiol Grxs.

  7. Nitrosylation of Nitric-Oxide-Sensing Regulatory Proteins Containing [4Fe-4S] Clusters Gives Rise to Multiple Iron-Nitrosyl Complexes

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Serrano, Pauline N. [Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis CA 95616 USA; Wang, Hongxin [Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis CA 95616 USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley CA 94720 USA; Crack, Jason C. [Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Prior, Christopher [Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Hutchings, Matthew I. [School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Thomson, Andrew J. [Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Kamali, Saeed [University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahome TN 37388-9700 USA; Yoda, Yoshitaka [Research and Utilization Division, SPring-8/JASRI, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo Hyogo 679-5198 Japan; Zhao, Jiyong [Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne IL 60439 USA; Hu, Michael Y. [Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne IL 60439 USA; Alp, Ercan E. [Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne IL 60439 USA; Oganesyan, Vasily S. [Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Le Brun, Nick E. [Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ UK; Cramer, Stephen P. [Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis CA 95616 USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley CA 94720 USA

    2016-10-25

    The reaction of protein-bound iron–sulfur (Fe-S) clusters with nitric oxide (NO) plays key roles in NO-mediated toxicity and signaling. Elucidation of the mechanism of the reaction of NO with DNA regulatory proteins that contain Fe-S clusters has been hampered by a lack of information about the nature of the iron-nitrosyl products formed. Herein, we report nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations that identify NO reaction products in WhiD and NsrR, regulatory proteins that use a [4Fe-4S] cluster to sense NO. This work reveals that nitrosylation yields multiple products structurally related to Roussin's Red Ester (RRE, [Fe2(NO)4(Cys)2]) and Roussin's Black Salt (RBS, [Fe4(NO)7S3]. In the latter case, the absence of 32S/34S shifts in the Fe-S region of the NRVS spectra suggest that a new species, Roussin's Black Ester (RBE), may be formed, in which one or more of the sulfide ligands is replaced by Cys thiolates.

  8. Electronic Properties of LiFePO4 and Li doped LiFePO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhuang, G.V.; Allen, J.L.; Ross, P.N.; Guo, J.-H.; Jow, T.R.

    2005-01-01

    The potential use of different iron phosphates as cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries has recently been investigated.1 One of the promising candidates is LiFePO4. This compound has several advantages in comparison to the state-of-the-art cathode material in commercial rechargeable lithium batteries. Firstly, it has a high theoretical capacity (170 mAh/g). Secondly, it occurs as mineral triphylite in nature and is inexpensive, thermally stable, non-toxic and non-hygroscopic. However, its low electronic conductivity (∼10-9 S/cm) results in low power capability. There has been intense worldwide research activity to find methods to increase the electronic conductivity of LiFePO4, including supervalent ion doping,2 introducing non-carbonaceous network conduction3 and carbon coating, and the optimization of the carbon coating on LiFePO4 particle surfaces.4 Recently, the Li doped LiFePO4 (Li1+xFe1-xPO4) synthesized at ARL has yield electronic conductivity increase up to 106.5 We studied electronic structure of LiFePO4 and Li doped LiFePO4 by synchrotron based soft X-ray emission (XES) and X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies. XAS probes the unoccupied partial density of states, while XES the occupied partial density of states. By combining XAS and XES measurements, we obtained information on band gap and orbital character of both LiFePO4 and Li doped LiFePO4. The occupied and unoccupied oxygen partial density of states (DOS) of LiFePO4 and 5 percent Li doped LiFePO4 are presented in Fig. 1. Our experimental results clearly indicate that LiFePO4 has wideband gap (∼ 4 eV). This value is much larger than what is predicted by DFT calculation. For 5 percent Li doped LiFePO4, a new doping state was created closer to the Fermi level, imparting p-type conductivity, consistent with thermopower measurement. Such observation substantiates the suggestion that high electronic conductivity in Li1.05Fe0.95 PO4 is due to available number of charge carriers in the material

  9. Selective binding and magnetic separation of His-tagged proteins using Fe3O4/PAM/NTA-Ni2+ Magnetic Nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Guo, Huiling; Li, Mengyun; Tu, Shu; Sun, Honghao

    2018-03-01

    Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with polyacrylamide (PAM) were synthesized. The magnetic core, with an average hydrodynamic size of 235.5 nm, allowed the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) rapid separation from solutions under an external magnetic field. NTA-Ni2+ was modified on the surface of Fe3O4/PAM MNPs to selectively trap his-tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP). The results showed that Fe3O4/PAM/NTA-Ni2+ MNPs exhibited remarkable capability of selective binding and separating his-tagged GFP. The adsorption efficiency was 93.37%.

  10. Electrical properties of FeGa2S4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Niftiev, N.N.; Alidzhanov, M.A.; Tagiev, O.B.; Mamedov, F.M.

    2004-01-01

    Temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity and current-voltage characteristics (CVCs) of FeGa 2 S 4 crystals have been studied. It has been shown that the current in the nonlinear range of CVCs is caused by the field effect. The activation energy of carriers and the trap concentrations have been determined

  11. Quaternary (FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} alloys and photosensitive structures on their basis

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bodnar, I. V. [Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (Belarus); Rud, V. Yu., E-mail: rudvas.spb@gmail.com [St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University (Russian Federation); Rud, Yu. V. [Russian Academy of Sciences, Ioffe Physical Technical Institute (Russian Federation); Lozhkin, D. V. [Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (Belarus)

    2011-07-15

    Using directional crystallization of the melt of the (FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} alloy, homogeneous crystals of a similar atomic composition are grown over the entire range of compositions 1 {>=} x {>=} 0. It is established that the crystals of the continuous series of quaternary alloys in the range x = 0-1 crystallize in the spinel structure and lattice parameter a linearly depends on x. It is established that it is possible to obtain In(Al)/(FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} photosensitive structures. Room-temperature spectra of relative quantum efficiency of photoconversion of the In(Al)/(FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} structures fabricated for the first time are obtained. From the analysis of these spectra, activation energies of direct and indirect band-to-band transitions for the crystals of the (FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} alloys are determined and the dependence of these parameters on the composition of the position-disordered phases of mentioned alloys is discussed. It is concluded that the crystals of the (FeIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub x}(MnIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}){sub 1-x} alloys can be used in broadband photoconverters of optical radiation.

  12. Magnetron-sputter deposition of Fe3S4 thin films and their conversion into pyrite (FeS2) by thermal sulfurization for photovoltaic applications

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Hongfei; Chi Dongzhi

    2012-01-01

    The authors report on the fabrication of FeS 2 (pyrite) thin films by sulfurizing Fe 3 S 4 that were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Under the selected sputtering conditions, Fe 3 S 4 nanocrystal films are obtained and the nanocrystals tend to locally cluster and closely pack into ricelike nanoparticles with an increase in film thickness. Meanwhile, the film tends to crack when the film thickness is increased over ∼1.3 μm. The film cracking can be effectively suppressed by an introduction of a 3-nm Cu intermediate layer prior to Fe 3 S 4 deposition. However, an introduction of a 3-nm Al intermediate layer tends to enhance the film cracking. By post-growth thermal sulfurization of the Fe 3 S 4 thin films in a tube-furnace, FeS 2 with high phase purity, as determined by using x ray diffraction, is obtained. Optical absorption spectroscopy was employed to characterize the resultant FeS 2 thin films, which revealed two absorption edges at 0.9 and 1.2 eV, respectively. These two absorption edges are assigned to the direct bandgap (0.9 eV) and the indirect allowed transitions (1.2 eV) of FeS 2 , respectively.

  13. High-efficiency Thin-film Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4-based Solar Cells Prepared from Low-Cost Solution Precursors. Final Report

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Radu, Daniela Rodica [Delaware State Univ., Dover, DE (United States); Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States); Liu, Mimi [Delaware State Univ., Dover, DE (United States); Hwang, Po-yu [Delaware State Univ., Dover, DE (United States); Berg, Dominik [Rowan Univ., Glassboro, NJ (United States); Dobson, Kevin [Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States). Inst. of Energy Conversion (IEC)

    2017-12-28

    The project aimed to provide solar energy education to students from underrepresented groups and to develop a novel, nano-scale approach, in utilizing Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4 materials as precursors to the absorber layer in photovoltaic thin-film devices. The objectives of the project were as follows: 1. Develop and implement one solar-related course at Delaware State University and train two graduate students in solar research. 2. Fabricate and characterize high-efficiency (larger than 7%) Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4-based solar devices. The project has been successful in both the educational components, implementing the solar course at DSU as well as in developing multiple routes to prepare the Fe2GeS4 with high purity and in large quantities. The project did not meet the efficiency objective, however, a functional solar device was demonstrated.

  14. Magnetocapacidad en nanopartículas de Fe3O4 y NiFe2O4

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mira, J.

    2010-02-01

    Full Text Available We have synthesized NiFe2O4 (φ∼ 6 nm and Fe3O4 (φ∼ 30 nm magnetic nanoparticles by solvothermal synthesis; furthermore the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been coated with a SiO2 shell of approximately 5 nm of thickness by the Stöber method. In the study of the dielectric properties as a function of the frequency, temperature and applied magnetic field, we observe a magnetocapacitive behavior (MC at room temperature and under a moderate magnetic field (H=0.5T, that is specially important in the case of the Fe3O4, nanoparticles (MC≈ 6%. On the other hand, the NiFe2O4 and Fe3O4@SiO2 samples present smaller magnetocapacitive effects: MC≈ 2% y MC≈ 1%, respectively. These MC values, that are higher than those reported in the literature for other related magnetic nanoparticles, corroborate the theoretical model proposed by Catalán in which the combination of Maxwell-Wagner effects and magnetoresistance promote the appearance of stronger magnetocapacitive effects.Hemos preparado nanopartículas magnéticas de NiFe2O4 (φ∼ 6 nm y Fe3O4 (φ∼ 30 nm mediante el método de síntesis solvotermal; además estas últimas han sido recubiertas con una capa de SiO2 de unos 5 nm de espesor mediante el método de Stöber. Al estudiar el comportamiento dieléctrico en función de la frecuencia, temperatura y campo magnético aplicado, observamos un comportamiento magnetocapacitivo (MC a temperatura ambiente y bajo un campo magnético moderado (H= 0.5 T que es especialmente importante en el caso de las nanopartículas de Fe3O4 (MC≈ 6%. Por su parte las muestras de NiFe2O4 y Fe3O4@SiO2 presentan efectos magnetocapacitivos menores: MC≈ 2% y MC≈ 1%, respectivamente. Estos valores de MC, que son considerablemente superiores a los descritos hasta el momento para otras nanopartículas magnéticas, corroboran la predicción teórica de Catalán de que la combinación de efecto Maxwell-Wagner con efectos magnetorresitivos potencian la aparición de fen

  15. Structure of the nucleotide-binding domain of a dipeptide ABC transporter reveals a novel iron-sulfur cluster-binding domain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Xiaolu; Zhuo, Wei; Yu, Jie; Ge, Jingpeng; Gu, Jinke; Feng, Yue; Yang, Maojun; Wang, Linfang; Wang, Na

    2013-02-01

    Dipeptide permease (Dpp), which belongs to an ABC transport system, imports peptides consisting of two or three L-amino acids from the matrix to the cytoplasm in microbes. Previous studies have indicated that haem competes with dipeptides to bind DppA in vitro and in vivo and that the Dpp system can also translocate haem. Here, the crystal structure of DppD, the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of the ABC-type dipeptide/oligopeptide/nickel-transport system from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis, bound with ATP, Mg(2+) and a [4Fe-4S] iron-sulfur cluster is reported. The N-terminal domain of DppD shares a similar structural fold with the NBDs of other ABC transporters. Interestingly, the C-terminal domain of DppD contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. The UV-visible absorbance spectrum of DppD was consistent with the presence of a [4Fe-4S] cluster. A search with DALI revealed that the [4Fe-4S] cluster-binding domain is a novel structural fold. Structural analysis and comparisons with other ABC transporters revealed that this iron-sulfur cluster may act as a mediator in substrate (dipeptide or haem) binding by electron transfer and may regulate the transport process in Dpp ABC transport systems. The crystal structure provides a basis for understanding the properties of ABC transporters and will be helpful in investigating the functions of NBDs in the regulation of ABC transporter activity.

  16. The role of extended Fe4S4 cluster ligands in mediating sulfite reductase hemoprotein activity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cepeda, Marisa R; McGarry, Lauren; Pennington, Joseph M; Krzystek, J; Elizabeth Stroupe, M

    2018-05-28

    The siroheme-containing subunit from the multimeric hemoflavoprotein NADPH-dependent sulfite reductase (SiR/SiRHP) catalyzes the six electron-reduction of SO 3 2- to S 2- . Siroheme is an iron-containing isobacteriochlorin that is found in sulfite and homologous siroheme-containing nitrite reductases. Siroheme does not work alone but is covalently coupled to a Fe 4 S 4 cluster through one of the cluster's ligands. One long-standing hypothesis predicted from this observation is that the environment of one iron-containing cofactor influences the properties of the other. We tested this hypothesis by identifying three amino acids (F437, M444, and T477) that interact with the Fe 4 S 4 cluster and probing the effect of altering them to alanine on the function and structure of the resulting enzymes by use of activity assays, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and EPR spectroscopy. We showed that F437 and M444 gate access for electron transfer to the siroheme-cluster assembly and the direct hydrogen bond between T477 and one of the cluster sulfides is important for determining the geometry of the siroheme active site. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  17. Effect of mitochondrial complex I inhibition on Fe-S cluster protein activity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mena, Natalia P. [Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago (Chile); Millennium Institute of Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, Santiago (Chile); Bulteau, Anne Laure [UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 975 - UMR 7725, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); Inserm, U 975, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); CNRS, UMR 7225, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, Paris 75013 (France); Salazar, Julio [Millennium Institute of Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, Santiago (Chile); Hirsch, Etienne C. [UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 975 - UMR 7725, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); Inserm, U 975, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); CNRS, UMR 7225, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences, ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, F-75005 Paris (France); ICM, Therapeutique Experimentale de la Neurodegenerescence, Hopital de la Salpetriere, Paris 75013 (France); Nunez, Marco T., E-mail: mnunez@uchile.cl [Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Santiago (Chile); Millennium Institute of Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, Santiago (Chile)

    2011-06-03

    Highlights: {yields} Mitochondrial complex I inhibition resulted in decreased activity of Fe-S containing enzymes mitochondrial aconitase and cytoplasmic aconitase and xanthine oxidase. {yields} Complex I inhibition resulted in the loss of Fe-S clusters in cytoplasmic aconitase and of glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase. {yields} Consistent with loss of cytoplasmic aconitase activity, an increase in iron regulatory protein 1 activity was found. {yields} Complex I inhibition resulted in an increase in the labile cytoplasmic iron pool. -- Abstract: Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are small inorganic cofactors formed by tetrahedral coordination of iron atoms with sulfur groups. Present in numerous proteins, these clusters are involved in key biological processes such as electron transfer, metabolic and regulatory processes, DNA synthesis and repair and protein structure stabilization. Fe-S clusters are synthesized mainly in the mitochondrion, where they are directly incorporated into mitochondrial Fe-S cluster-containing proteins or exported for cytoplasmic and nuclear cluster-protein assembly. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by rotenone decreases Fe-S cluster synthesis and cluster content and activity of Fe-S cluster-containing enzymes. Inhibition of complex I resulted in decreased activity of three Fe-S cluster-containing enzymes: mitochondrial and cytosolic aconitases and xanthine oxidase. In addition, the Fe-S cluster content of glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase and mitochondrial aconitase was dramatically decreased. The reduction in cytosolic aconitase activity was associated with an increase in iron regulatory protein (IRP) mRNA binding activity and with an increase in the cytoplasmic labile iron pool. Since IRP activity post-transcriptionally regulates the expression of iron import proteins, Fe-S cluster inhibition may result in a false iron deficiency signal. Given that

  18. Effect of mitochondrial complex I inhibition on Fe-S cluster protein activity

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mena, Natalia P.; Bulteau, Anne Laure; Salazar, Julio; Hirsch, Etienne C.; Nunez, Marco T.

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Mitochondrial complex I inhibition resulted in decreased activity of Fe-S containing enzymes mitochondrial aconitase and cytoplasmic aconitase and xanthine oxidase. → Complex I inhibition resulted in the loss of Fe-S clusters in cytoplasmic aconitase and of glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase. → Consistent with loss of cytoplasmic aconitase activity, an increase in iron regulatory protein 1 activity was found. → Complex I inhibition resulted in an increase in the labile cytoplasmic iron pool. -- Abstract: Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are small inorganic cofactors formed by tetrahedral coordination of iron atoms with sulfur groups. Present in numerous proteins, these clusters are involved in key biological processes such as electron transfer, metabolic and regulatory processes, DNA synthesis and repair and protein structure stabilization. Fe-S clusters are synthesized mainly in the mitochondrion, where they are directly incorporated into mitochondrial Fe-S cluster-containing proteins or exported for cytoplasmic and nuclear cluster-protein assembly. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by rotenone decreases Fe-S cluster synthesis and cluster content and activity of Fe-S cluster-containing enzymes. Inhibition of complex I resulted in decreased activity of three Fe-S cluster-containing enzymes: mitochondrial and cytosolic aconitases and xanthine oxidase. In addition, the Fe-S cluster content of glutamine phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase and mitochondrial aconitase was dramatically decreased. The reduction in cytosolic aconitase activity was associated with an increase in iron regulatory protein (IRP) mRNA binding activity and with an increase in the cytoplasmic labile iron pool. Since IRP activity post-transcriptionally regulates the expression of iron import proteins, Fe-S cluster inhibition may result in a false iron deficiency signal. Given that inhibition of complex

  19. Reactivity of Cubane-Type [(OC)(3)MFe(3)S(4)(SR)(3)](3-) Clusters (M = Mo, W): Interconversion with Cuboidal [Fe(3)S(4)](0) Clusters and Electron Transfer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Raebiger, James W.; Crawford, Charles A.; Zhou, Jian; Holm, R. H.

    1997-03-12

    The title clusters, several examples of which have been reported earlier, have been prepared by two different methods and subjected to structural and reactivity studies. The compounds (Et(4)N)(3)[(OC)(3)MFe(3)S(4)(Smes)(3)].MeCN (M = Mo/W) are isomorphous and crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 13.412(1)/13.297(1) Å, b = 19.0380(1)/18.9376(3) Å, c = 26.4210(1)/26.2949(1) Å, beta = 97.87(1)/97.549(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The clusters contain long M-S (2.62/2.59 Å) and M-Fe (3.22/3.19 Å) bonds, consistent with the reported structure of [(OC)(3)MoFe(3)S(4)(SEt)(3)](3-) (3). Reaction of [(OC)(3)MoFe(3)S(4)(LS(3))](3-) (7) with CO in the presence of NaPF(6) affords cuboidal [Fe(3)S(4)(LS(3))](3-) (9), also prepared in this laboratory by another route as a synthetic analogue of protein-bound [Fe(3)S(4)](0) clusters. The clusters [Fe(3)S(4)(SR)(3)](3-) (R = mes, Et), of limited stability, were generated by the same reaction. Treatment of 9 with [M(CO)(3)(MeCN)(3)] affords 7 and its M = W analogue. The clusters [(OC)(3)MFe(3)S(4)(SR)(3)](3-) form a four-member electron transfer series in which the 3- cluster can be once reduced (4-) and twice oxidized (2-, 1-) to afford clusters of the indicated charges. The correct assignment of redox couple to potential in the redox series of six clusters is presented, correcting an earlier misassignment of the redox series of 3. Carbonyl stretching frequencies are shown to be sensitive to cluster oxidation state, showing that the M sites and Fe(3)S(4) fragments are electronically coupled despite the long bond distances. (LS(3) = 1,3,5-tris((4,6-dimethyl-3-mercaptophenyl)thio)-2,4,6-tris(p-tolylthio)benzenate(3-); mes = mesityl.)

  20. Removal of FePO4 and Fe3(PO4)2 crystals on the surface of passive fillers in Fe0/GAC reactor using the acclimated bacteria

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lai, Bo; Zhou, Yuexi; Yang, Ping; Wang, Juling; Yang, Jinghui; Li, Huiqiang

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals would weaken treatment efficiency of Fe 0 /GAC reactor. ► Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals could be removed by the acclimated bacteria. ► FeS and sulfur in the passive film would be removed by the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. ► Develop a cost-effective bio-regeneration technology for the passive fillers. - Abstract: As past studies presented, there is obvious defect that the fillers in the Fe 0 /GAC reactor begin to be passive after about 60 d continuous running, although the complicated, toxic and refractory ABS resin wastewater can be pretreated efficiently by the Fe 0 /GAC reactor. During the process, the Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals with high density in the passive film are formed by the reaction between PO 4 3− and Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ . Meanwhile, they obstruct the formation of macroscopic galvanic cells between Fe 0 and GAC, which will lower the wastewater treatment efficiency of Fe 0 /GAC reactor. In this study, in order to remove the Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals on the surface of the passive fillers, the bacteria were acclimated in the passive Fe 0 /GAC reactor. According to the results, it can be concluded that the Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals with high density in the passive film could be decomposed or removed by the joint action between the typical propionic acid type fermentation bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), whereas the PO 4 3− ions from the decomposition of the Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and FePO 4 crystals were released into aqueous solution which would be discharged from the passive Fe 0 /GAC reactor. Furthermore, the remained FeS and sulfur (S) in the passive film also can be decomposed or removed easily by the oxidation of the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. This study provides some theoretical references for the further study of a cost-effective bio-regeneration technology to solve the passive problems of the fillers in the zero-valent iron (ZVI) or Fe 0 /GAC reactor.

  1. μ(4)-Orthothio-carbonato-tetra-kis-[tri-carbonyl-iron(I)](2 Fe-Fe).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shi, Yao-Cheng; Cheng, Huan-Ren; Yuan, Li-Min; Li, Qian-Kun

    2011-11-01

    The fused bis-butterfly-shaped title compound, [Fe(4)(CS(4))(CO)(12)], possesses an orthothio-carbonate (CS(4) (4-)) ligand that acts as a bridge between two Fe(2)(CO)(6) units. A short intra-molecular S⋯S contact [2.6984 (8) and 2.6977 (8) Å] occurs in each S(2)Fe(2)(CO)(6) fragment.

  2. Profound Interfacial Effects in CoFe2O4/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Polishchuk, Dmytro; Nedelko, Natalia; Solopan, Sergii; Ślawska-Waniewska, Anna; Zamorskyi, Vladyslav; Tovstolytkin, Alexandr; Belous, Anatolii

    2018-03-01

    Two sets of core/shell magnetic nanoparticles, CoFe2O4/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/CoFe2O4, with a fixed diameter of the core ( 4.1 and 6.3 nm for the former and latter sets, respectively) and thickness of shells up to 2.5 nm were synthesized from metal chlorides in a diethylene glycol solution. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The analysis of the results of magnetic measurements shows that coating of magnetic nanoparticles with the shells results in two simultaneous effects: first, it modifies the parameters of the core-shell interface, and second, it makes the particles acquire combined features of the core and the shell. The first effect becomes especially prominent when the parameters of core and shell strongly differ from each other. The results obtained are useful for optimizing and tailoring the parameters of core/shell spinel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles for their use in various technological and biomedical applications.

  3. A facile approach to fabricate of photothermal functional Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS microspheres

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Baolong; Shan, Yan, E-mail: shanyan@qust.edu.cn; Chen, Kezheng, E-mail: kchen@qust.edu.cn

    2017-06-01

    Photothermal functional Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS microspheres have been prepared successfully by a simple chemical deposition method. The adsorption of cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) on the magnetic microspheres plays an important role in forming the structure of the composites. The present materials are characterized with XRD, TEM, SEM, FTIR, and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer. The results show that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres are coated by CuS layer with thickness of 10 nm. The saturation magnetization value of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS core-shell microspheres is 27 emu/g at room temperature and the sample possesses excellent magnetic response in the presence of applied magnetic field. Moreover, these microspheres exhibit good dispersion, suitable size and significant photothermal conversion efficiency up to 20.7% at 808 nm laser irradiation. Fluctuation value of the highest temperature of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS dispersion over four times LASER ON/OFF indicates that photothermal stability of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS microspheres is good. - Highlights: • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres have been coated with CuS and the thickness of CuS layer is about 10 nm. • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuS microspheres are ferromagnetism, and possess good photothermal conversion efficiency and photostability. • The materials have great potential application for photothermal therapy.

  4. Exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for advanced magnetic hyperthermia

    Science.gov (United States)

    Glassell, M.; Robles, J.; Das, R.; Phan, M. H.; Srikanth, H.

    Iron oxide nanoparticles especially Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3 have been extensively studied for magnetic hyperthermia because of their tunable magnetic properties and stable suspension in superparamagnetic regime. However, their relatively low heating capacity hindered practical application. Recently, a large improvement in heating efficiency has been reported in exchange-coupled nanoparticles with exchange coupling between soft and hard magnetic phases. Here, we systematically studied the effect of core and shell size on the heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed formation of spherical shaped Fe3O4 and Fe3O-/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements showed high magnetization (≅70 emu/g) and superparamagnetic behavior for the nanoparticles at room temperature. Magnetic hyperthermia results showed a large increase in specific absorption rate (SAR) for 8nm Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles of the same size. The heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 with 1 nm CoFe2O4 (shell) increased from 207 to 220 W/g (for 800 Oe) with increase in core size from 6 to 8 nm. The heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 with 2 nm CoFe2O4 (shell) and core size of 8 nm increased from 220 to 460 W/g (for 800 Oe). These exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles can be a good candidate for advanced hyperthermia application.

  5. Cancer cell-associated cytoplasmic B7–H4 is induced by hypoxia through hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and promotes cancer cell proliferation

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jeon, You-Kyoung [Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Advanced Research Center for Multiple Myeloma, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Park, Sae-Gwang; Choi, Il-Whan [Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Soo-Woong [Advanced Research Center for Multiple Myeloma, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Sang Min [Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Choi, Inhak, E-mail: miccih@inje.ac.kr [Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of); Advanced Research Center for Multiple Myeloma, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 614-735 (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-04-03

    Aberrant B7–H4 expression in cancer tissues serves as a novel prognostic biomarker for poor survival in patients with cancer. However, the factor(s) that induce cancer cell-associated B7–H4 remain to be fully elucidated. We herein demonstrate that hypoxia upregulates B7–H4 transcription in primary CD138{sup +} multiple myeloma cells and cancer cell lines. In support of this finding, analysis of the Multiple Myeloma Genomics Portal (MMGP) data set revealed a positive correlation between the mRNA expression levels of B7–H4 and the endogenous hypoxia marker carbonic anhydrogenase 9. Hypoxia-induced B7–H4 expression was detected in the cytoplasm, but not in cancer cell membranes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated binding of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to proximal hypoxia-response element (HRE) sites within the B7–H4 promoter. Knockdown of HIF-1α and pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1α diminished B7–H4 expression. Furthermore, knockdown of cytoplasmic B7–H4 in MCF-7 decreased the S-phase cell population under hypoxia. Finally, MMGP analysis revealed a positive correlation between the transcript levels of B7–H4 and proliferation-related genes including MKI67, CCNA1, and Myc in several patients with multiple myeloma. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying B7–H4 upregulation and its role in cancer cell proliferation in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. - Highlights: • Hypoxia upregulates B7–H4 transcription and protein expression. • Hypoxia-induced B7–H4 is detected in the cytoplasm, but not on membrane. • ChIP assay reveals a binding of HIF-1α to B7–H4 promoter at HRE site. • Knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1α reduce B7–H4 expression. • B7–H4 knockdown decrease the number of cells in S-phase of cell cycle.

  6. Spectroscopic properties of Fe2+ ions at tetragonal sites-Crystal field effects and microscopic modeling of spin Hamiltonian parameters for Fe2+ (S=2) ions in K2FeF4 and K2ZnF4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Rudowicz, C.; Piwowarska, D.

    2011-01-01

    Magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the planar antiferromagnet K 2 FeF 4 are determined by the Fe 2+ ions at tetragonal sites. The two-dimensional easy-plane anisotropy exhibited by K 2 FeF 4 is due to the zero field splitting (ZFS) terms arising from the orbital singlet ground state of Fe 2+ ions with the spin S=2. To provide insight into the single-ion magnetic anisotropy of K 2 FeF 4 , the crystal field theory and the microscopic spin Hamiltonian (MSH) approach based on the tensor method is adopted. Survey of available experimental data on the crystal field energy levels and free-ion parameters for Fe 2+ ions in K 2 FeF 4 and related compounds is carried out to provide input for microscopic modeling of the ZFS parameters and the Zeeman electronic ones. The ZFS parameters are expressed in the extended Stevens notation and include contributions up to the fourth-order using as perturbation the spin-orbit and electronic spin-spin couplings within the tetragonal crystal field states of the ground 5 D multiplet. Modeling of the ZFS parameters and the Zeeman electronic ones is carried out. Variation of these parameters is studied taking into account reasonable ranges of the microscopic ones, i.e. the spin-orbit and spin-spin coupling constants, and the energy level splittings, suitable for Fe 2+ ions in K 2 FeF 4 and Fe 2+ :K 2 ZnF 4 . Conversions between the ZFS parameters in the extended Stevens notation and the conventional ones are considered to enable comparison with the data of others. Comparative analysis of the MSH formulas derived earlier and our more complete ones indicates the importance of terms omitted earlier as well as the fourth-order ZFS parameters and the spin-spin coupling related contributions. The results may be useful also for Fe 2+ ions at axial symmetry sites in related systems, i.e. Fe:K 2 MnF 4 , Rb 2 Co 1-x Fe x F 4 , Fe 2+ :Rb 2 CrCl 4 , and Fe 2+ :Rb 2 ZnCl 4 . - Highlights: → Truncated zero field splitting (ZFS) terms for Fe 2+ in K

  7. Cfr and RlmN contain a single [4Fe-4S] cluster, which directs two distinct reactivities for S-adenosylmethionine: methyl transfer by SN2 displacement and radical generation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Grove, Tyler L; Radle, Matthew I; Krebs, Carsten; Booker, Squire J

    2011-12-14

    The radical SAM (RS) proteins RlmN and Cfr catalyze methylation of carbons 2 and 8, respectively, of adenosine 2503 in 23S rRNA. Both reactions are similar in scope, entailing the synthesis of a methyl group partially derived from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) onto electrophilic sp(2)-hybridized carbon atoms via the intermediacy of a protein S-methylcysteinyl (mCys) residue. Both proteins contain five conserved Cys residues, each required for turnover. Three cysteines lie in a canonical RS CxxxCxxC motif and coordinate a [4Fe-4S]-cluster cofactor; the remaining two are at opposite ends of the polypeptide. Here we show that each protein contains only the one "radical SAM" [4Fe-4S] cluster and the two remaining conserved cysteines do not coordinate additional iron-containing species. In addition, we show that, while wild-type RlmN bears the C355 mCys residue in its as-isolated state, RlmN that is either engineered to lack the [4Fe-4S] cluster by substitution of the coordinating cysteines or isolated from Escherichia coli cultured under iron-limiting conditions does not bear a C355 mCys residue. Reconstitution of the [4Fe-4S] cluster on wild-type apo RlmN followed by addition of SAM results in rapid production of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and the mCys residue, while treatment of apo RlmN with SAM affords no observable reaction. These results indicate that in Cfr and RlmN, SAM bound to the unique iron of the [4Fe-4S] cluster displays two reactivities. It serves to methylate C355 of RlmN (C338 of Cfr), or to generate the 5'-deoxyadenosyl 5'-radical, required for substrate-dependent methyl synthase activity. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  8. Crystal structures and magnetic properties of iron (III)-based phosphates: Na4NiFe(PO4)3 and Na2Ni2Fe(PO4)3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Essehli, Rachid; Bali, Brahim El; Benmokhtar, Said; Bouziane, Khalid; Manoun, Bouchaib; Abdalslam, Mouner Ahmed; Ehrenberg, Helmut

    2011-01-01

    Graphical abstract: A perspective view of the Na 2 Ni 2 Fe(PO 4 ) 3 structure along the [0 0 1] direction. Both compounds seem to exibit antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic entities at low temperature. Display Omitted Research highlights: → Nasicon and Alluaudite compounds, Iron(III)-based phosphates, Crystal structures of Na 4 NiFe(PO 4 ) 3 and Na 2 Ni 2 Fe(PO 4 ) 3 . → Magnetism behaviours of Na 4 NiFe(PO 4 ) 3 and Na 2 Ni 2 Fe(PO 4 ) 3 . → Antiferromagnetism interactions. → Mossbauer spectroscopy. - Abstract: Crystal structures from two new phosphates Na 4 NiFe(PO 4 ) 3 (I) and Na 2 Ni 2 Fe(PO 4 ) 3 (II) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound (I) crystallizes in a rhombohedral system (S. G: R-3c, Z = 6, a = 8.7350(9) A, c = 21.643(4) A, R 1 = 0.041, wR 2 =0.120). Compound (II) crystallizes in a monoclinic system (S. G: C2/c, Z = 4, a = 11.729(7) A, b = 12.433(5) A, c = 6.431(2) A, β = 113.66(4) o , R 1 = 0.043, wR 2 =0.111). The three-dimensional structure of (I) is closely related to the Nasicon structural type, consisting of corner sharing [(Ni/Fe)O 6 ] octahedra and [PO 4 ] tetrahedra forming [NiFe(PO 4 ) 3 ] 4+ units which align in chains along the c-axis. The Na + cations fill up trigonal antiprismatic sites within these chains. The crystal structure of (II) belongs to the alluaudite type. Its open framework results from [Ni 2 O 10 ] units of edge-sharing [NiO 6 ] octahedra, which alternate with [FeO 6 ] octahedra that form infinite chains. Coordination of these chains yields two distinct tunnels in which site Na + . The magnetization data of compound (I) reveal antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions by the onset of deviations from a Curie-Weiss behaviour at low temperature as confirmed by Moessbauer measurements performed at 4.2 K. The corresponding temperature dependence of the reciprocal susceptibility χ -1 follows a typical Curie-Weiss behaviour for T > 105 K. A canted AFM state is proposed for

  9. Synthesis, characterization, and comparative gas-sensing properties of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-chitosan

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cuong, Nguyen Duc [Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Hue University, 22 Lam Hoang, Vy Da Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); College of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hoa, Tran Thai; Khieu, Dinh Quang [College of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); Lam, Tran Dai [Institute of Materials Science, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hoa, Nguyen Duc [International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam); Van Hieu, Nguyen, E-mail: hieu@itims.edu.vn [International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam)

    2012-05-15

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We have demonstrated a facile method to prepare Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles and chitosan-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} sensors prepared from those Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} materials have been investigated and compared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The results show potential application of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} for CO sensors in environmental monitoring. - Abstract: In this paper, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and chitosan (CS)-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method and subsequent covalent binding of CS onto the surface for functionalization, respectively. Characterization of the crystal structures and morphologies of as-synthesized nanoparticles by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} had a cubic spinal structure with irregular shapes and average diameters of 10-20 nm. The surface states and magnetic properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and vibrating sample magnetometry. Results showed that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles possessed super-paramagnetic properties, with saturated magnetization up to 60 emu/g. In addition, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and CS-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were used in the fabrication of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} based gas sensors. Gas sensing measurements revealed that the {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} gas sensor prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS had a better response to H{sub 2}, CO, C{sub 2}H{sub 5}OH, and NH{sub 3} compared with the device prepared from pristine Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Furthermore, the {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} sensor prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles exhibited the highest response to CO among the test gases, suggesting that it has great potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring.

  10. Mouse nucleolin binds to 4.5S RNAH, a small noncoding RNA

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hirose, Yutaka; Harada, Fumio

    2008-01-01

    4.5S RNAH is a rodent-specific small noncoding RNA that exhibits extensive homology to the B1 short interspersed element. Although 4.5S RNAH is known to associate with cellular poly(A)-terminated RNAs and retroviral genomic RNAs, its function remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed 4.5S RNAH-binding proteins in mouse nuclear extracts using gel mobility shift and RNA-protein UV cross-linking assays. We found that at least nine distinct polypeptides (p170, p110, p93, p70, p48, p40, p34, p20, and p16.5) specifically interacted with 4.5S RNAHin vitro. Using anti-La antibody, p48 was identified as mouse La protein. To identify the other 4.5S RNAH-binding proteins, we performed expression cloning from a mouse cDNA library and obtained cDNA clones derived from nucleolin mRNA. We identified p110 as nucleolin using nucleolin-specific antibodies. UV cross-linking analysis using various deletion mutants of nucleolin indicated that the third of four tandem RNA recognition motifs is a major determinant for 4.5S RNAH recognition. Immunoprecipitation of nucleolin from the subcellular fractions of mouse cell extracts revealed that a portion of the endogenous 4.5S RNAH was associated with nucleolin and that this complex was located in both the nucleoplasm and nucleolus

  11. Facile synthesis of Fe3O4/g-C3N4/HKUST-1 composites as a novel biosensor platform for ochratoxin A.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Shuisheng; Ouyang, Wenjun; Guo, Longhua; Lin, Zhenyu; Jiang, Xiaohua; Qiu, Bin; Chen, Guonan

    2017-06-15

    A fluorescent biosensor for ochratoxin A was fabricated on the basis of a new nanocomposite (Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /HKUST-1 composites). Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /HKUST-1 was synthesized in this work for the first time, which combined HKUST-1 with g-C 3 N 4 to improve its chemical stability. Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /HKUST-1 composites have strong adsorption capacity for dye-labeled aptamer and are able to completely quench the fluorescence of the dye through the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. In the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA), it can bind with the aptamer with high affinity, causing the releasing of the dye-labeled aptamer from the Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /HKUST-1 and therefore results in the recovery of fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of the biosensor has a linear relationship with the OTA concentration in the range of 5.0-160.0ng/mL. The LOD of sensor is 2.57ng/mL (S/N=3). This fluorescence sensor based on the Fe 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 /HKUST-1 composites has been applied to detect OTA in corn with satisfying results. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  12. Metal substitution in the active site of nitrogenase MFe(7)S(9) (M = Mo(4+), V(3+), Fe(3+)).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lovell, Timothy; Torres, Rhonda A; Han, Wen-Ge; Liu, Tiqing; Case, David A; Noodleman, Louis

    2002-11-04

    The unifying view that molybdenum is the essential component in nitrogenase has changed over the past few years with the discovery of a vanadium-containing nitrogenase and an iron-only nitrogenase. The principal question that has arisen for the alternative nitrogenases concerns the structures of their corresponding cofactors and their metal-ion valence assignments and whether there are significant differences with that of the more widely known molybdenum-iron cofactor (FeMoco). Spin-polarized broken-symmetry (BS) density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to assess which of the two possible metal-ion valence assignments (4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) or 6Fe(2+)2Fe(3+)) for the iron-only cofactor (FeFeco) best represents the resting state. For the 6Fe(2+)2Fe(3+) oxidation state, the spin coupling pattern for several spin state alignments compatible with S = 0 were generated and assessed by energy criteria. The most likely BS spin state is composed of a 4Fe cluster with spin S(a) = (7)/(2) antiferromagnetically coupled to a 4Fe' cluster with spin S(b) = (7)/(2). This state has the lowest DFT energy for the isolated FeFeco cluster and displays calculated Mössbauer isomer shifts consistent with experiment. Although the S = 0 resting state of FeFeco has recently been proposed to have metal-ion valencies of 4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) (derived from experimental Mössbauer isomer shifts), our isomer shift calculations for the 4Fe(2+)4Fe(3+) oxidation state are in poorer agreement with experiment. Using the Mo(4+)6Fe(2+)Fe(3+) oxidation level of the cofactor as a starting point, the structural consequences of replacement of molybdenum (Mo(4+)) with vanadium (V(3+)) or iron (Fe(3+)) in the cofactor have been investigated. The size of the cofactor cluster shows a dependency on the nature of the heterometal and increases in the order FeMoco < FeVco < FeFeco.

  13. New Insights into Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 via Fabricating Magnetic Photocatalyst Material BiVO4/Mn1−xZnxFe2O4

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Taiping Xie

    2018-02-01

    Full Text Available BiVO4/Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 was prepared by the impregnation roasting method. XRD (X-ray Diffractometer tests showed that the prepared BiVO4 is monoclinic crystal, and the introduction of Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 does not change the crystal structure of BiVO4. The introduction of a soft-magnetic material, Mn1−xZnxFe2O4, was beneficial to the composite photocatalyst’s separation from the liquid solution using an extra magnet after use. UV-vis spectra analysis indicated that Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 enhanced the absorption intensity of visible light for BiVO4. EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy investigation revealed that the introduction of Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 enhanced the conductivity of BiVO4, further decreasing its electron transfer impedance. The photocatalytic efficiency of BiVO4/Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 was higher than that of pure BiVO4. In other words, Mn1−xZnxFe2O4 could enhance the photocatalytic reaction rate.

  14. The effect of Fe2NiO4 and Fe4NiO4Zn magnetic nanoparticles on anaerobic digestion activity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Jian Lin; Steele, Terry W J; Stuckey, David C

    2018-06-11

    Two types of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), i.e. Ni ferrite nanoparticles (Fe 2 NiO 4 ) and Ni Zn ferrite nanoparticles (Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn) containing the trace metals Ni and Fe, were added to the anaerobic digestion of synthetic municipal wastewater at concentrations between 1 and 100 mg Ni L -1 in order to compare their effects on biogas (methane) production and sludge activity. Using the production of methane over time as a measure, the assays revealed that anaerobic digestion was stimulated by the addition of 100 mg Ni L -1 in Fe 2 NiO 4 NPs, while it was inhibited by the addition of 1-100 mg Ni L -1 in Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs. Especially at 100 mg Ni L -1 , Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs resulted in a total inhibition of anaerobic digestion. The metabolic activity of the anaerobic sludge was tested using the resazurin reduction assay, and the assay clearly revealed the negative effect of Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs and the positive effect of Fe 2 NiO 4 NPs. Re-feeding fresh synthetic medium reactivated the NPs added to the anaerobic sludge, except for the experiment with 100 mg Ni L -1 addition of Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs. The findings in this present study indicate a possible new strategy for NPs design to enhance anaerobic digestion. Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Enhanced antibacterial performance of Fe3O4–Ag and MnFe2O4 ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    sity in our daily life. ... enhances the biological activity of Ag NPs, but many stud- ... against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in this ..... Antimicrobial effects of Fe3O4@Nico@Ag, Fe3O4@His@Ag and Fe3O4@HA@Ag against Fe3O4 ...

  16. Sodium intercalation in the phosphosulfate cathode NaFe2(PO4)(SO4)2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ben Yahia, Hamdi; Essehli, Rachid; Amin, Ruhul; Boulahya, Khalid; Okumura, Toyoki; Belharouak, Ilias

    2018-04-01

    The compound NaFe2(PO4)(SO4)2 is successfully synthesized via a solid state reaction route and its crystal structure is determined using powder X-ray diffraction data. NaFe2(PO4)(SO4)2 phase is also characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. NaFe2(PO4)(SO4)2 crystallizes with the well-known NASICON-type structure. SAED and HRTEM experiments confirm the structural model, and no ordering between the PO4-3 and SO4-2 polyanions is detected. The electrochemical tests indicate that NaFe2(PO4)(SO4)2 is a 3 V sodium intercalating cathode. The electrical conductivity is relatively low (2.2 × 10-6 Scm-1 at 200 °C) and the obtained activation energy is ∼0.60eV. The GITT experiments indicate that the diffusivity values are in the range of 10-11-10-12 cm2/s within the measured sodium concentrations.

  17. Solution structure of a syndecan-4 cytoplasmic domain and its interaction with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Lee, D; Oh, E S; Woods, A

    1998-01-01

    Syndecan-4, a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is a coreceptor with integrins in cell adhesion. It has been suggested to form a ternary signaling complex with protein kinase Calpha and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Syndecans each have a unique, central, and variable (V......) region in their cytoplasmic domains, and that of syndecan-4 is critical to its interaction with protein kinase C and PIP2. Two oligopeptides corresponding to the variable region (4V) and whole domain (4L) of syndecan-4 cytoplasmic domain were synthesized for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. Data...... and dynamical simulated annealing calculations. The 4V peptide in the presence of PIP2 formed a compact dimer with two twisted strands packed parallel to each other and the exposed surface of the dimer consisted of highly charged and polar residues. The overall three-dimensional structure in solution exhibits...

  18. Spinel FeCo2S4 nanoflower arrays grown on Ni foam as novel binder-free electrodes for long-cycle-life supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Deng, Cuifen; Yang, Lishan; Yang, Chunming; Shen, Ping; Zhao, Liping; Wang, Zhiyu; Wang, Chunhui; Li, Junhua; Qian, Dong

    2018-01-01

    Spinel FeCo2S4 nanoflower arrays grown on Ni foam (FeCo2S4@Ni) have been successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal sulfurization of the corresponding FeCo2O4 precursor. The results of X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations affirm that partial Co2+/Co3+ ions in Co3S4 have been substituted by Fe2+/Fe3+ ions to form FeCo2S4. The obtained FeCo2S4@Ni exhibits an ultrahigh specific capacitance (1644.07 mF cm-2 at 50 mA cm-2) and a supreme cycling stability (∼100% after 10,000 cycles at 50 mA cm-2) as binder-free electrodes for supercapacitors. The cycling stability of the fabricated product is the highest among the documented ternary metallic sulfides so far. The excellent supercapacitive performance of FeCo2S4@Ni emanates from the unique architectures of Fe2Co2S4 nanoflower arrays constituted by ultrathin nanoflakes, three-dimensional porous and conductive Ni foam, and solid skeleton of Ni foam for robust connections to the Fe2Co2S4.

  19. Synthesis of MoS2-reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 nanocomposite for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness

    Science.gov (United States)

    Prasad, Jagdees; Singh, Ashwani Kumar; Shah, Jyoti; Kotnala, R. K.; Singh, Kedar

    2018-05-01

    This article presents a facile two step hydrothermal process for the synthesis of MoS2-reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 (MoS2-rGO/Fe3O4) nanocomposite and its application as an excellent electromagnetic interference shielding material. Characterization tools like; scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy were used to confirm the formation of nanocomposite and found that spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles are well dispersed over MoS2-rGO composite with average particle size ∼25–30 nm was confirmed by TEM. Structural characterization done by XRD was found inconsistent with the known lattice parameter of MoS2 nanosheet, reduced graphene oxide and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of MoS2-rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was evaluated and found to be an excellent EMI shielding material in X-band range (8.0–12.0 GHz). MoS2-rGO composite shows poor shielding capacity (SET ∼ 3.81 dB) in entire range as compared to MoS2-rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite (SET ∼ 8.27 dB). It is due to interfacial polarization in the presence of EM field. The result indicates that MoS2-rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite provide a new stage for the next generation in high-performance EM wave absorption and EMI shielding effectiveness.

  20. Fusion proteins of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 with CD4-induced antibodies showed enhanced binding to CD4 and CD4 binding site antibodies

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Weizao, E-mail: chenw3@mail.nih.gov [Protein Interactions Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702 (United States); Feng, Yang [Protein Interactions Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702 (United States); Wang, Yanping [Protein Interactions Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702 (United States); The Basic Research Program, Science Applications International Corporation-Frederick, Inc., National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702 (United States); Zhu, Zhongyu; Dimitrov, Dimiter S. [Protein Interactions Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702 (United States)

    2012-09-07

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Some recombinant HIV-1 gp120s do not preserve their conformations on gp140s. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We hypothesize that CD4i antibodies could induce conformational changes in gp120. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CD4i antibodies enhance binding of CD4 and CD4bs antibodies to gp120. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CD4i antibody-gp120 fusion proteins could have potential as vaccine immunogens. -- Abstract: Development of successful AIDS vaccine immunogens continues to be a major challenge. One of the mechanisms by which HIV-1 evades antibody-mediated neutralizing responses is the remarkable conformational flexibility of its envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp120. Some recombinant gp120s do not preserve their conformations on gp140s and functional viral spikes, and exhibit decreased recognition by CD4 and neutralizing antibodies. CD4 binding induces conformational changes in gp120 leading to exposure of the coreceptor-binding site (CoRbs). In this study, we test our hypothesis that CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies, which target the CoRbs, could also induce conformational changes in gp120 leading to better exposed conserved neutralizing antibody epitopes including the CD4-binding site (CD4bs). We found that a mixture of CD4i antibodies with gp120 only weakly enhanced CD4 binding. However, such interactions in single-chain fusion proteins resulted in gp120 conformations which bound to CD4 and CD4bs antibodies better than the original or mutagenically stabilized gp120s. Moreover, the two molecules in the fusion proteins synergized with each other in neutralizing HIV-1. Therefore, fusion proteins of gp120 with CD4i antibodies could have potential as components of HIV-1 vaccines and inhibitors of HIV-1 entry, and could be used as reagents to explore the conformational flexibility of gp120 and mechanisms of entry and immune evasion.

  1. Synthesis of novel spherical Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 composite as improved anode material for rechargeable nickel-iron batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, Jing; Guo, Litan; Shangguan, Enbo; Yue, Mingzhu; Xu, Min; Wang, Dong; Chang, Zhaorong; Li, Quanmin

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 microspheres are fabricated through a facile method for the first time. • Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 is firstly proposed as alkaline anode materials for Ni/Fe batteries. • Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 shows enhanced high-rate capability and improved cycle stability. • Ni_3S_2 can suppress the passivation and hydrogen evolution behavior of the iron anode. - Abstract: Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 microspheres as a novel alkaline anode material have been successfully fabricated through a four-step process for the first time. In this composite, Ni_3S_2 nanoparticles are coated tightly on the surface of Fe_3O_4 microspheres. Compared with the pure Fe_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4@NiO microspheres, the proposed Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 delivers a significantly improved high-rate performance and enhanced cycling stability. At a high discharge rate of 1200 mA g"−"1, the specific capacity of the Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 is ∼481.2 mAh g"−"1 in comparison with ∼83.7 mAh g"−"1 for the pure Fe_3O_4. After 100 cycles at 120 mA g"−"1, the Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 can achieve a capacity retention of 95.1%, while the value for the pure Fe_3O_4 electrode is only 52.5%. The favorable electrochemical performance of the Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 is mainly attributed to the beneficial impact of Ni_3S_2. The Ni_3S_2 layer as a useful additive is significantly conducive to lessening the formation of Fe(OH)_2 passivation layer, enhancing the electronic conductivity, improving the reaction reversibility and suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction of the alkaline iron anode. Owing to its outstanding electrochemical properties, we believe that the novel Fe_3O_4@Ni_3S_2 composite is potentially a promising candidate for anode material of alkaline iron-based batteries.

  2. Molecular [(Fe3)–(Fe3)] and [(Fe4)–(Fe4)] coordination cluster pairs as single or composite arrays.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sañudo, E Carolina; Uber, Jorge Salinas; Pons Balagué, Alba; Roubeau, Olivier; Aromí, Guillem

    2012-08-06

    The synthesis of molecular cluster pairs is a challenge for coordination chemists due to the potential applications of these species in molecular spintronics or quantum computing. The ligand H(4)L, 1,3-bis-(3-oxo-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl)-2-methoxybenzene, has been successfully used to obtain a series of such complexes using the basic Fe(III) trinuclear carboxylates as starting materials. Synthetic control has allowed the isolation of the two molecular cluster pairs that form the composite [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2)[Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(py)(H(2)L)](2) (1). The dimers of trinuclear units, [Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(H(2)L)](2) (2) and [Fe(3)O(o-MePhCO(2))(5)(H(2)L)(py)](2) (3), and the dimers of tetranuclear units, [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (4) and [Fe(4)O(2)(o-MePhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (5), are presented here. The magnetic properties of the reported aggregates show that they are pairs of semi-independent clusters weakly interacting magnetically as required for two-qubit quantum gates.

  3. Dielectric properties of layered FeGaInS{sub 4} single crystals in an alternating electric field

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mammadov, F. M. [Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Nagiyev Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry (Azerbaijan); Niftiyev, N. N., E-mail: namiq7@bk.ru [Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (Azerbaijan)

    2016-09-15

    The results of investigations of the frequency and temperature dependences of dielectric losses and the imaginary part of the dielectric permittivity in FeGaInS{sub 4} single crystals are presented. Their experimental values are determined. It is established that the loss tangent and the imaginary part of the permittivity of FeGaInS{sub 4} single crystals in a field with frequencies of 10{sup 4}–10{sup 6} Hz decrease inversely proportional to the frequency (tanδ ~ 1/ω), and the conductivity is characterized by the band–hopping mechanism. For FeGaInS{sub 4}, the relaxation time is calculated, and it is established that there is a mechanism of electron polarization caused by thermal motion in this crystal.

  4. Novel phenomenon of magnetism and superconductivity in Fe-doped superconductor Bi{sub 4-x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 4}S{sub 3} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Qing [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Shanghai University, Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai (China); Wang, Difei; Yu, Chuan; Yin, Xunqing; Kang, Jian; Cheng, Cheng; Deng, Dongmei; Jing, Chao [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Feng, Zhenjie; Cao, Shixun; Zhang, Jincang [Shanghai University, Department of Physics, Shanghai (China); Shanghai University, Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai (China); Shanghai Key Laboratory of High Temperature Superconductors, Shanghai (China); Chu, Hao [California Institute of Technology, Department of Applied Physics, Pasadena, CA (United States); Li, Xiaolong [Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Shanghai (China)

    2017-06-15

    We report the effects of Fe doping on the BiS{sub 2}-based superconductor Bi{sub 4}O{sub 4}S{sub 3}. It has been found that the superconducting transition temperature (T{sub C}{sup onset}) is slightly enhanced by Fe doping. The magnetic susceptibility results reveal the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range ferrimagnetism in these samples. A new magnetic transition temperature T{sub V} (Verwey transition) from the M-T curves at ∝112 K is observed. The isothermal magnetization curves (M-H) indicate a weak ferrimagnetism, which is probably due to the antiparallel ordering of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} magnetic moments. The coexistence of superconductivity and ferro/ferrimagnetism makes bismuth oxysulfide superconductor a platform for understanding superconductivity from a new perspective. (orig.)

  5. GTP-binding-defective ARL4D alters mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chun-Chun Li

    Full Text Available ARL4D, ARL4A, and ARL4C are closely related members of the ADP-ribosylation factor/ARF-like protein (ARF/ARL family of GTPases. All three ARL4 proteins contain nuclear localization signals (NLSs at their C-termini and are primarily found at the plasma membrane, but they are also present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. ARF function and localization depends on their controlled binding and hydrolysis of GTP. Here we show that GTP-binding-defective ARL4D is targeted to the mitochondria, where it affects mitochondrial morphology and function. We found that a portion of endogenous ARL4D and the GTP-binding-defective ARL4D mutant ARL4D(T35N reside in the mitochondria. The N-terminal myristoylation of ARL4D(T35N was required for its localization to mitochondria. The localization of ARL4D(T35N to the mitochondria reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm and caused mitochondrial fragmentation. Furthermore, the C-terminal NLS region of ARL4D(T35N was required for its effect on the mitochondria. This study is the first to demonstrate that the dysfunctional GTP-binding-defective ARL4D is targeted to mitochondria, where it subsequently alters mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential.

  6. Monothiol glutaredoxin Grx5 interacts with Fe-S scaffold proteins Isa1 and Isa2 and supports Fe-S assembly and DNA integrity in mitochondria of fission yeast

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kim, Kyoung-Dong; Chung, Woo-Hyun; Kim, Hyo-Jin; Lee, Kyung-Chang; Roe, Jung-Hye

    2010-01-01

    Mitochondrial monothiol glutaredoxins that bind Fe-S cluster are known to participate in Fe-S cluster assembly. However, their precise role has not been well understood. Among three monothiol glutaredoxins (Grx3, 4, and 5) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe only Grx5 resides in mitochondria. The Δgrx5 mutant requires cysteine on minimal media, and does not grow on non-fermentable carbon source such as glycerol. We found that the mutant is low in the activity of Fe-S enzymes in mitochondria as well as in the cytoplasm. Screening of multi-copy suppressor of growth defects of the mutant identified isa1 + gene encoding a putative A-type Fe-S scaffold, in addition to mas5 + and hsc1 + genes encoding putative chaperones for Fe-S assembly process. Examination of other scaffold and chaperone genes revealed that isa2 + , but not isu1 + and ssc1 + , complemented the growth phenotype of Δgrx5 mutant as isa1 + did, partly through restoration of Fe-S enzyme activities. The mutant also showed a significant decrease in the amount of mitochondrial DNA. We demonstrated that Grx5 interacts in vivo with Isa1 and Isa2 proteins in mitochondria by observing bimolecular fluorescence complementation. These results indicate that Grx5 plays a central role in Fe-S assembly process through interaction with A-type Fe-S scaffold proteins Isa1 and Isa2, each of which is an essential protein in S. pombe, and supports mitochondrial genome integrity as well as Fe-S assembly.

  7. Characterisation of stromal-cellular mechanotransduction through syndecan-4

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Hollosi, Peter; Grossi, Alberto; Couchman, John Robert

    phenotype and rate of cell migration. We map the binding site for syndecan-4 cytoplasmic domain in a-actinin to spectrin repeat4, utilising solid phase binding assays and recombinant peptides. Moreover, phosphorylation of syndecan-4 on its sole serine residue, known to influence cytoplasmic domain...

  8. Fabrication of magnetic Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 nanocomposite for visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Peng, Ziling; Wu, Dan; Wang, Wei; Tan, Fatang; Ng, Tsz Wai; Chen, Jianguo; Qiao, Xueliang; Wong, Po Keung

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 was prepared by a facile two-step precipitation method. • Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 exhibited high photocatalytic activity under LED lamp irradiation. • Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 possessed good stability and reusability for bacterial inactivation. • Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 could be easily collected from the reaction solution by a magnet. • The release rate of metal ions from nanocomposite was kept at a very low level. - Abstract: Bacterial inactivation by magnetic photocatalysts has now received growing interests due to the easy separation for recycle and reuse of photocatalysts. In this study, magnetic Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 photocatalyst was prepared by a facile two-step precipitation method. Multiple techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffused reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were employed to characterize the structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the photocatalyst. The as-obtained Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 possessing magnetic property was easily collected from the reaction system by a magnet. Under white light-emitting-diode (LED) lamp irradiation, Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 nanocomposite could completely inactivate 7-log of Escherichia coli K-12 within 5 h. More importantly, almost no decrease of photocatalytic efficiency in bacterial inactivation was observed even after five consecutive cycles, demonstrating Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 exhibited good stability for reuse. The low released rate of Fe"2"+/Fe"3"+ and Zn"2"+ from Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 composite further indicated the photocatalyst showed low cytotoxicity to bacterium and high stability under LED lamp irradiation. Facile preparation, high photocatalytic efficiency, good stability and reusability, and magnetic recovery property endow Fe@ZnO_0_._6S_0_._4 nanocomposite to be a promising photocatalytic material

  9. Characterisation of the antiferromagnetic transition of Cu2FeSnS4, the synthetic analogue of stannite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Caneschi, A.; Cipriani, C.; di Benedetto, F.; Sessoli, R.

    2003-04-01

    Magnetisation measurements between 260 and 1.9K were performed on the synthetic analogue of stannite, Cu_2FeSnS_4, tetragonal Ioverline{4}2m. Fe(II) ions, in the high spin S=2 configuration for tetrahedral coordination, are responsible for the high temperature paramagnetism. In agreement with Bernardini et al. (2000), an antiferromagnetic transition was observed, lowering temperature below 8K. Refined measurements evidenced a T_N=6.1K for the Néel temperature. In spite of a small difference, observed in the behaviour between the zero-field cooled and the field cooled curves, which suggests the possible presence of a spin-glass phase, the AC measurements did not provide evidence of dependence of the magnetic susceptibility on frequency, as expected in spin-glass systems. On the basis of the experimental data, in agreement with the existent literature (Fries et al., 1997), a collinear antiferromagnetic structure should be preferred. The Fe ions, in fact, are distributed in two sublattices obtained by magnetic differentiation of the symmetry equivalent (0,0,0) and (frac{1}{2}frac{1}{2}frac{1}{2}) Fe positions (wyckoff: 2a). The low value for the Nèel temperature, as compared e.g. to the room-temperature antiferromagnet chalcopyrite (CuFeS_2), very close in composition and structure to stannite, is to be related to the increased distance between the Fe ions (˜6.6Å). This weak interaction is not detected in natural samples, where diamagnetic Zn(II) replace paramagnetic Fe(II), thus increasing the mean Fe-Fe distance. Fries, T., Shapira, Y., Palacio, F., Moròn, M.C., McIntyre, G.J., Kershaw, R., Wold, A. and McNiff, E.J. Jr. (1997): Mangetic ordering of the antiferromagnet Cu_2MnSnS_4 from magnetisation and neutron-scattering measurements. Phys. Rev. B, 6(9), 5424-5431 Bernardini, G.P., Borrini, D., Caneschi, A. Di Benedetto, F., Gatteschi, D., Ristori, S. and Romanelli, M. (2000): EPR and SQUID magnetometry study of Cu_2FeSnS_4 (stannite) and Cu_2ZnSnS_4 (kesterite

  10. Exogenous fatty acid binding protein 4 promotes human prostate cancer cell progression.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Uehara, Hisanori; Takahashi, Tetsuyuki; Oha, Mina; Ogawa, Hirohisa; Izumi, Keisuke

    2014-12-01

    Epidemiologic studies have found that obesity is associated with malignant grade and mortality in prostate cancer. Several adipokines have been implicated as putative mediating factors between obesity and prostate cancer. Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a member of the cytoplasmic fatty acid binding protein multigene family, was recently identified as a novel adipokine. Although FABP4 is released from adipocytes and mean circulating concentrations of FABP4 are linked with obesity, effects of exogenous FABP4 on prostate cancer progression are unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of exogenous FABP4 on human prostate cancer cell progression. FABP4 treatment promoted serum-induced prostate cancer cell invasion in vitro. Furthermore, oleic acid promoted prostate cancer cell invasion only if FABP4 was present in the medium. These promoting effects were reduced by FABP4 inhibitor, which inhibits FABP4 binding to fatty acids. Immunostaining for FABP4 showed that exogenous FABP4 was taken up into DU145 cells in three-dimensional culture. In mice, treatment with FABP4 inhibitor reduced the subcutaneous growth and lung metastasis of prostate cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the number of apoptotic cells, positive for cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, was increased in subcutaneous tumors of FABP4 inhibitor-treated mice, as compared with control mice. These results suggest that exogenous FABP4 might promote human prostate cancer cell progression by binding with fatty acids. Additionally, exogenous FABP4 activated the PI3K/Akt pathway, independently of binding to fatty acids. Thus, FABP4 might be a key molecule to understand the mechanisms underlying the obesity-prostate cancer progression link. © 2014 UICC.

  11. Nuclear AP4A-binding activity of sea urchin embryos changes in relation to the initiation of S phase

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Morioka, M.; Shimada, H.

    1986-01-01

    The AP 4 A-binding activity of sea urchin embryos was studied using radioactively labelled diadenosine 5', 5'''-P 1 ,P 4 -tetraphosphate (Ap 4 A). Among various subcellular components that can bind [ 3 H]AP 4 A, nuclei alone showed the highly specific Ap 4 A-binding activity which was not influenced by the presence of AP 4 A, AP 5 A and GP 4 G. The addition of an excess amount of ATP only slightly reduced the binding of [ 3 H]AP 4 A to the nuclei. It was found that AP 4 A binds to the residual proteinaceous structure of nuclei which was resistant to the extraction with 2 M NaCl. The nuclear AP 4 A-binding activity fluctuated cyclically during each cell cycle, with at transient increase at the beginning of S phase followed by an abrupt-decrease within 10 min. When the initiation of S phase was blocked, the increase in the AP 4 A-binding activity was also prevented. It seems that the binding of AP 4 A to the nuclear structural protein is involved in the initiation of S phase

  12. Orphan Spins in the S=5/2 Antiferromagnet CaFe_{2}O_{4}.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stock, C; Rodriguez, E E; Lee, N; Demmel, F; Fouquet, P; Laver, M; Niedermayer, Ch; Su, Y; Nemkovski, K; Green, M A; Rodriguez-Rivera, J A; Kim, J W; Zhang, L; Cheong, S-W

    2017-12-22

    CaFe_{2}O_{4} is an anisotropic S=5/2 antiferromagnet with two competing A (↑↑↓↓) and B (↑↓↑↓) magnetic order parameters separated by static antiphase boundaries at low temperatures. Neutron diffraction and bulk susceptibility measurements, show that the spins near these boundaries are weakly correlated and a carry an uncompensated ferromagnetic moment that can be tuned with a magnetic field. Spectroscopic measurements find these spins are bound with excitation energies less than the bulk magnetic spin waves and resemble the spectra from isolated spin clusters. Localized bound orphaned spins separate the two competing magnetic order parameters in CaFe_{2}O_{4}.

  13. Orphan Spins in the S =5/2 Antiferromagnet CaFe2O4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stock, C.; Rodriguez, E. E.; Lee, N.; Demmel, F.; Fouquet, P.; Laver, M.; Niedermayer, Ch.; Su, Y.; Nemkovski, K.; Green, M. A.; Rodriguez-Rivera, J. A.; Kim, J. W.; Zhang, L.; Cheong, S.-W.

    2017-12-01

    CaFe2O4 is an anisotropic S =5/2 antiferromagnet with two competing A (↑↑↓↓) and B (↑↓↑↓) magnetic order parameters separated by static antiphase boundaries at low temperatures. Neutron diffraction and bulk susceptibility measurements, show that the spins near these boundaries are weakly correlated and a carry an uncompensated ferromagnetic moment that can be tuned with a magnetic field. Spectroscopic measurements find these spins are bound with excitation energies less than the bulk magnetic spin waves and resemble the spectra from isolated spin clusters. Localized bound orphaned spins separate the two competing magnetic order parameters in CaFe2 O4 .

  14. Synergistic inhibition of the intrinsic factor X activation by protein S and C4b-binding protein

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Koppelman, S.J.

    1995-01-01

    The complement protein C4b-binding protein plays an important role in the regulation of the protein C anticoagulant pathway. C4b-binding protein can bind to protein S, thereby inhibiting the cofactor activity of protein S for activated protein C. In this report, we describe a new role for

  15. Convenient synthesis of magnetically recyclable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@C@CdS photocatalysts by depositing CdS nanocrystals on carbonized ferrocene

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Dan [Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China); Xie, Jianjian [Department of Materials Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China); Zhang, Yong; Qiao, Ru [Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China); Li, Sheng [Department of Materials Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China); Li, Zhengquan, E-mail: zqli@zjnu.edu.cn [Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China); Department of Materials Physics, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004 (China)

    2015-10-15

    Development of magnetic visible-light-driven photocatalysts is desirable to the practical application of photocatalyts for collection and recycling use. Here we present a facile approach to synthesize Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@C@CdS magnetic photocatalysts which can avoid multi-step preparation process. Through one-step solvothermal carbonization of ferrocene, the produced carbon-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} clusters can serve as both magnetic cores and deposition substrates for in situ generating crystalline CdS nanocrystals on them by rapid microwave irradiation. The prepared Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@C@CdS nanoparticles exhibit a uniform core–shell structure and display good photocatalytic activity and recyclability in the degradation of organic dyes. These magnetic photocatalysts may find potential application in wastewater treatment for the future environment remedy. - Highlights: • A rapid strategy is presented to obtain multifunctional core–shell nanostructures. • Magnetic visible-light-driven Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@C@CdS nanophotocatalysts are synthesized. • Carbonized ferrocene can provide both magnetic cores and good deposition substrate. • Photocatalytic and recyclable properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@C@CdS nanoparticles are explored.

  16. Plastic deformation of Al13Fe4 particles in Al-Al13Fe4 by high-speed compression

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yoneyama, N.; Mizoguchi, K.; Kumai, S.; Sato, A.; Kiritani, M.

    2003-01-01

    Spray-formed Al-Fe alloys having undergone high-speed deformation were examined under a high-voltage electron microscope. Two types of specimens were examined; one containing fine Al 13 Fe 4 particles, and the other containing large particles. In the former specimen, deformation is found to proceed in three patterns, depending on specimen thickness and strain rate: (1) without deformation of the Al 13 Fe 4 ; (2) breaking of the Al 13 Fe 4 ; or (3) melting of the Al 13 Fe 4 . Local melting is found to alter some of the Al 13 Fe 4 particles, to impart five-fold symmetry in diffraction or an amorphous structure. In the latter specimen, introduction of glide dislocations enabled us to determine a shear system in the mc102 monoclinic c2/m crystal of Al 13 Fe 4 . On the bases of these observations, the mechanism of high-speed deformation is discussed while taking into account the highly stressed and/or heated states of Al 13 Fe 4 embedded in Al matrix

  17. Biochemical similarities and differences between the catalytic [4Fe-4S] cluster containing fumarases FumA and FumB from Escherichia coli.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Barbara M A van Vugt-Lussenburg

    Full Text Available BACKGROUND: The highly homologous [4Fe-4S] containing fumarases FumA and FumB, sharing 90% amino acid sequence identity, from Escherichia coli are differentially regulated, which suggests a difference in their physiological function. The ratio of FumB over FumA expression levels increases by one to two orders of magnitude upon change from aerobic to anaerobic growth conditions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To understand this difference in terms of structure-function relations, catalytic and thermodynamic properties were determined for the two enzymes obtained from homologous overexpression systems. FumA and FumB are essentially identical in their Michaelis-Menten kinetics of the reversible fumarate to L-malate conversion; however, FumB has a significantly greater catalytic efficiency for the conversion of D-tartrate to oxaloacetate consistent with the requirement of the fumB gene for growth on D-tartrate. Reduction potentials of the [4Fe-4S](2+ Lewis acid active centre were determined in mediated bulk titrations in the presence of added substrate and were found to be approximately -290 mV for both FumA and FumB. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study contradicts previously published claims that FumA and FumB exhibit different catalytic preferences for the natural substrates L-malate and fumarate. FumA and FumB differ significantly only in the catalytic efficiency for the conversion of D-tartrate, a supposedly non-natural substrate. The reduction potential of the substrate-bound [4Fe-4S] active centre is, contrary to previously reported values, close to the cellular redox potential.

  18. The eIF4E-binding proteins are modifiers of cytoplasmic eIF4E relocalization during the heat shock response.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sukarieh, R; Sonenberg, N; Pelletier, J

    2009-05-01

    Stress granules (SGs) arise as a consequence of cellular stress, contain stalled translation preinitiation complexes, and are associated with cell survival during environmental insults. SGs are dynamic entities with proteins relocating into and out of them during stress. Among the repertoire of proteins present in SGs is eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a translation factor required for cap-dependent translation and that regulates a rate-limiting step for protein synthesis. Herein, we demonstrate that localization of eIF4E to SGs is dependent on the presence of a family of repressor proteins, eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). Our results demonstrate that 4E-BPs regulate the SG localization of eIF4E.

  19. Molecular Characterization of Bombyx mori Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus Genome Segment 4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ikeda, Keiko; Nagaoka, Sumiharu; Winkler, Stefan; Kotani, Kumiko; Yagi, Hiroaki; Nakanishi, Kae; Miyajima, Shigetoshi; Kobayashi, Jun; Mori, Hajime

    2001-01-01

    The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome segment 4 (S4) of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) was determined. The 3,259-nucleotide sequence contains a single long open reading frame which spans nucleotides 14 to 3187 and which is predicted to encode a protein with a molecular mass of about 130 kDa. Western blot analysis showed that S4 encodes BmCPV protein VP3, which is one of the outer components of the BmCPV virion. Sequence analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of BmCPV VP3 revealed possible sequence homology with proteins from rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) S2, Nilaparvata lugens reovirus S4, and Fiji disease fijivirus S4. This may suggest that plant reoviruses originated from insect viruses and that RRSV emerged more recently than other plant reoviruses. A chimeric protein consisting of BmCPV VP3 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was constructed and expressed with BmCPV polyhedrin using a baculovirus expression vector. The VP3-GFP chimera was incorporated into BmCPV polyhedra and released under alkaline conditions. The results indicate that specific interactions occur between BmCPV polyhedrin and VP3 which might facilitate BmCPV virion occlusion into the polyhedra. PMID:11134312

  20. High-Purity Fe3S4 Greigite Microcrystals for Magnetic and Electrochemical Performance

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Li, Guowei; Zhang, Baomin; Yu, Feng; Novakova, Alla A.; Krivenkov, Maxim S.; Kiseleva, Tatiana Y.; Chang, Liao; Rao, Jiancun; Polyakov, Alexey O.; Blake, Graeme R.; de Groot, Robert A.; Palstra, Thomas T. M.

    2014-01-01

    High-purity Fe3S4 (greigite) microcrystals with octahedral shape were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method using a surfactant. The as-prepared samples have the inverse spinel structure with high crystallinity. The saturation magnetization (M-s) reaches 3.74 mu(B) at 5 K and 3.51 mu(B) at

  1. The light-induced spin transition of tetranuclear spin crossover complex [Fe4(CN)4(bpy)4(tpa)2](PF6)4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nishihara, T; Tanaka, K; Nihei, M; Oshio, H

    2009-01-01

    We report on the light induced spin transition in the tetranuclear spin crossover complex [Fe 4 (CN) 4 (bpy) 4 (tpa) 2 ](PF 6 ) 4 . The photo-conversion occurs at the specific site (Fe2) of four Fe II ions. The red light irradiation (1.79 eV) gives rise to full conversion of Fe2 into the high spin state from the low spin state. The green light irradiation (2.33 eV) can convert only the half of Fe2 into the high spin state, though the photo-conversion rate in the beginning is much higher than that with the red light. We present a simple model in which the photo-conversion kinetics is controlled by a large background absorption due to remaining three Fe II ions (Fe1, Fe3 and Fe4).

  2. Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor Cu2FeSnS4 Nanocrystals with a Novel Zincblende Structure

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xiaolu Liang

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available Diluted magnetic semiconductor Cu2FeSnS4 nanocrystals with a novel zincblende structure have been successfully synthesized by a hot-injection approach. Cu+, Fe2+, and Sn4+ ions occupy the same position in the zincblende unit cell, and their occupancy possibilities are 1/2, 1/4, and 1/4, respectively. The nanocrystals were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM, selected area electron diffraction (SAED, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS, and UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. The nanocrystals have an average size of 7.5 nm and a band gap of 1.1 eV and show a weak ferromagnetic behavior at low temperature.

  3. Vibrational properties of stannite and kesterite type compounds: Raman scattering analysis of Cu2(Fe,Zn)SnS4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fontané, X.; Izquierdo-Roca, V.; Saucedo, E.; Schorr, S.; Yukhymchuk, V.O.; Valakh, M.Ya.; Pérez-Rodríguez, A.; Morante, J.R.

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Analysis of main and weaker Raman peaks from Cu 2 FeZnS 4 and Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 compounds. ► Identification of a cation disorder induced Raman peak in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 . ► Analysis of spectral features of main Raman peaks from Cu 2 (Fe,Zn)SnS 4 . - Abstract: This work reports the analysis of the vibrational properties of stannite–kesterite Cu 2 (Fe,Zn)SnS 4 compounds that has been performed by Raman scattering measurements. The detailed analysis of the experimental spectra has allowed determining the frequency and symmetry assignment of the main and weaker peaks from both stannite Cu 2 FeSnS 4 (CFTS) and kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) phases. The measurements performed in the kesterite CZTS samples have also revealed the presence of local inhomogeneities that are characterised by an additional peak in the spectra at about 331 cm −1 . This peak has been related to the presence in these local regions of a high degree of disorder in the cation sublattice, in agreement with previous neutron diffraction analysis in similar samples. Finally, the spectra from the solid solution alloys show a one-mode behaviour of the main A/A 1 peak with the chemical composition.

  4. A Novel Ternary CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 as a Giant Magnetoresistance Sensor

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ramli

    2016-12-01

    Full Text Available This paper reports the results of a study relating to the synthesis of a novel ternary CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film as a giant magnetoresistance (GMR sensor. The CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film was prepared onto silicon substrate via DC magnetron sputtering with the targets facing each other. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structure of the thin film and a 4-point method was used to measure the MR ratio. The GMR ratio is highly dependent on the ferrimagnetic (CoFe2O4 and nonmagnetic (CuO layer thickness. The maximum GMR ratio at room temperature obtained in the CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film was 70% when the CoFe2O4 and the CuO layer had a thickness of 62.5 nm and 14.4 nm respectively.

  5. Biochemical Similarities and Differences between the Catalytic [4Fe-4S] Cluster Containing Fumarases FumA and FumB from Escherichia coli

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Van Vugt-Lussenburg, B.M.A.; Van der Weel, L.; Hagen, W.R.; Hagedoorn, P.L.

    2013-01-01

    Background: The highly homologous [4Fe-4S] containing fumarases FumA and FumB, sharing 90% amino acid sequence identity, from Escherichia coli are differentially regulated, which suggests a difference in their physiological function. The ratio of FumB over FumA expression levels increases by one to

  6. Magnetic and electrical properties of (FeIn2S4)1−x(CuIn5S8)x solid solutions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Trukhanov, S.V.; Bodnar, I.V.; Zhafar, M.A.

    2015-01-01

    In this study, single crystals of FeIn 2 S 4 and CuIn 5 S 8 compounds, and (FeIn 2 S 4 ) 1−x (CuIn 5 S 8 ) x solid solutions were grown using the Bridgman method. The magnetic and electrical properties of the samples obtained were investigated at temperatures of 5–300 K and in a magnetic field range of 0–14 T. It was established that all of the solid solutions were paramagnets down to low temperatures of ~10 K. It was shown that the ground state of the magnetic phase of the samples was a spin glass state, where the freezing temperature increased monotonically with the increase in the concentration of Fe 2+ cations. All of the samples exhibited semiconductor characteristics in terms of electrical resistivity. The concentration-dependent critical magnetic temperatures, magnetic moment, and activation energy were plotted, which are probably explained by the magnetic state formation of the (FeIn 2 S 4 ) 1−x (CuIn 5 S 8 ) x solid solution single crystals based on the empirical Goodenough–Kanamori rules

  7. Computational studies of modified [Fe3S4] clusters: Why iron is optimal

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kepp, Kasper Planeta

    2008-01-01

    , compared to earlier used standard procedures. The error for average Fe–S bonds decreased from 0.038 Å to 0.016 Å with this procedure. Four density functionals were compared, B3LYP, BP86, TPSS, and TPSSh. B3LYP and to a lesser extent TPSSh energies were inconsistent with experiment for the oxidized [Fe3S4...

  8. Properties of Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 and Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 as Nanocatalyst for Ammonia Production

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Puspitasari Poppy

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Ammonia synthesis requires high pressure and high temperature process. Unfortunately, the capital intensive cost resulting low yield of ammonia by using recent catalyst which is iron oxide. Therefore, manganese zinc ferrite as a soft ferrite material will be introduced as a new nanocatalyst to enhance the ammonia yield. As a new nanocatalyst for ammonia production, study of comparasion two different concentration of MnZn Ferrite is very important. This paper will compare the yield of ammonia by using two different nanocatalyst which are Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 and Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4. Both were synthesized by sol-gel method and has been characterize by using FESEM (morphology, XRD (phase identification, EDX (elemental analysis and TPR (oxide reduction. The ammonia was produce with and without magnetic field applied. The result shows that the ammonia yield is higher for Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 nanocatalyst than Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 by using magnetic field applied. 67.2% of yield has been achieved by using new nanocatalyst Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 and magnetic field applied at ambient environment.

  9. Fabrication of magnetic Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 nanocomposite for visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli

    Science.gov (United States)

    Peng, Ziling; Wu, Dan; Wang, Wei; Tan, Fatang; Ng, Tsz Wai; Chen, Jianguo; Qiao, Xueliang; Wong, Po Keung

    2017-02-01

    Bacterial inactivation by magnetic photocatalysts has now received growing interests due to the easy separation for recycle and reuse of photocatalysts. In this study, magnetic Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 photocatalyst was prepared by a facile two-step precipitation method. Multiple techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were employed to characterize the structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the photocatalyst. The as-obtained Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 possessing magnetic property was easily collected from the reaction system by a magnet. Under white light-emitting-diode (LED) lamp irradiation, Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 nanocomposite could completely inactivate 7-log of Escherichia coli K-12 within 5 h. More importantly, almost no decrease of photocatalytic efficiency in bacterial inactivation was observed even after five consecutive cycles, demonstrating Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 exhibited good stability for reuse. The low released rate of Fe2+/Fe3+ and Zn2+ from Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 composite further indicated the photocatalyst showed low cytotoxicity to bacterium and high stability under LED lamp irradiation. Facile preparation, high photocatalytic efficiency, good stability and reusability, and magnetic recovery property endow Fe@ZnO0.6S0.4 nanocomposite to be a promising photocatalytic material for bacterial inactivation.

  10. Polaronic transport and thermoelectricity in Fe1 -xCoxSb2S4 (x =0 , 0.1, and 0.2)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Yu; Kang, Chang-Jong; Stavitski, Eli; Du, Qianheng; Attenkofer, Klaus; Kotliar, G.; Petrovic, C.

    2018-04-01

    We report a study of Co-doped berthierite Fe1 -xCoxSb2S4 (x =0 , 0.1, and 0.2). The alloy series of Fe1 -xCoxSb2S4 crystallize in an orthorhombic structure with the Pnma space group, similar to FeSb2, and show semiconducting behavior. The large discrepancy between activation energy for conductivity, Eρ (146 ˜270 meV ), and thermopower, ES (47 ˜108 meV ), indicates the polaronic transport mechanism. Bulk magnetization and heat-capacity measurements of pure FeSb2S4 (x =0 ) exhibit a broad antiferromagnetic transition (TN=46 K ) followed by an additional weak transition (T*=50 K ). Transition temperatures (TN and T*) slightly decrease with increasing Co content x . This is also reflected in the thermal conductivity measurement, indicating strong spin-lattice coupling. Fe1 -xCoxSb2S4 shows relatively high value of thermopower (up to ˜624 μ V K-1 at 300 K) and thermal conductivity much lower when compared to FeSb2, a feature desired for potential applications based on FeSb2 materials.

  11. The Robo4 cytoplasmic domain is dispensable for vascular permeability and neovascularization.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Feng; Prahst, Claudia; Mathivet, Thomas; Pibouin-Fragner, Laurence; Zhang, Jiasheng; Genet, Gael; Tong, Raymond; Dubrac, Alexandre; Eichmann, Anne

    2016-11-24

    Vascular permeability and neovascularization are implicated in many diseases including retinopathies and diabetic wound healing. Robo4 is an endothelial-specific transmembrane receptor that stabilizes the vasculature, as shown in Robo4 -/- mice that develop hyperpermeability, but how Robo4 signals remained unclear. Here we show that Robo4 deletion enhances permeability and revascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and accelerates cutaneous wound healing. To determine Robo4 signalling pathways, we generated transgenic mice expressing a truncated Robo4 lacking the cytoplasmic domain (Robo4ΔCD). Robo4ΔCD expression is sufficient to prevent permeability, and inhibits OIR revascularization and wound healing in Robo4 -/- mice. Mechanistically, Robo4 does not affect Slit2 signalling, but Robo4 and Robo4ΔCD counteract Vegfr2-Y949 (Y951 in human VEGFR2) phosphorylation by signalling through the endothelial UNC5B receptor. We conclude that Robo4 inhibits angiogenesis and vessel permeability independently of its cytoplasmic domain, while activating VEGFR2-Y951 via ROBO4 inhibition might accelerate tissue revascularization in retinopathy of prematurity and in diabetic patients.

  12. Mechanism of thermal decomposition of K{sub 2}FeO{sub 4} and BaFeO{sub 4}: A review

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sharma, Virender K., E-mail: vsharma@sph.tamhsc.edu [Texas A& M University, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health (United States); Machala, Libor [Palacky University, Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Departments of Experimental Physics and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science (Czech Republic)

    2016-12-15

    This paper presents thermal decomposition of potassium ferrate(VI) (K{sub 2}FeO{sub 4}) and barium ferrate(VI) (BaFeO{sub 4}) in air and nitrogen atmosphere. Mössbauer spectroscopy and nuclear forward scattering (NFS) synchrotron radiation approaches are reviewed to advance understanding of electron-transfer processes involved in reduction of ferrate(VI) to Fe(III) phases. Direct evidences of Fe {sup V} and Fe {sup IV} as intermediate iron species using the applied techniques are given. Thermal decomposition of K{sub 2}FeO{sub 4} involved Fe {sup V}, Fe {sup IV}, and K{sub 3}FeO{sub 3} as intermediate species while BaFeO{sub 3} (i.e. Fe {sup IV}) was the only intermediate species during the decomposition of BaFeO{sub 4}. Nature of ferrite species, formed as final Fe(III) species, of thermal decomposition of K{sub 2}FeO{sub 4} and BaFeO{sub 4} under different conditions are evaluated. Steps of the mechanisms of thermal decomposition of ferrate(VI), which reasonably explained experimental observations of applied approaches in conjunction with thermal and surface techniques, are summarized.

  13. NeutrAvidin Functionalization of CdSe/CdS Quantum Nanorods and Quantification of Biotin Binding Sites using Biotin-4-Fluorescein Fluorescence Quenching.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lippert, Lisa G; Hallock, Jeffrey T; Dadosh, Tali; Diroll, Benjamin T; Murray, Christopher B; Goldman, Yale E

    2016-03-16

    We developed methods to solubilize, coat, and functionalize with NeutrAvidin elongated semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum nanorods, QRs) for use in single molecule polarized fluorescence microscopy. Three different ligands were compared with regard to efficacy for attaching NeutrAvidin using the "zero-length cross-linker" 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide (EDC). Biotin-4-fluorescene (B4F), a fluorophore that is quenched when bound to avidin proteins, was used to quantify biotin binding activity of the NeutrAvidin coated QRs and biotin binding activity of commercially available streptavidin coated quantum dots (QDs). All three coating methods produced QRs with NeutrAvidin coating density comparable to the streptavidin coating density of the commercially available quantum dots (QDs) in the B4F assay. One type of QD available from the supplier (ITK QDs) exhibited ∼5-fold higher streptavidin surface density compared to our QRs, whereas the other type of QD (PEG QDs) had 5-fold lower density. The number of streptavidins per QD increased from ∼7 streptavidin tetramers for the smallest QDs emitting fluorescence at 525 nm (QD525) to ∼20 tetramers for larger, longer wavelength QDs (QD655, QD705, and QD800). QRs coated with NeutrAvidin using mercaptoundecanoicacid (MUA) and QDs coated with streptavidin bound to biotinylated cytoplasmic dynein in single molecule TIRF microscopy assays, whereas Poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-ocatdecene) (PMAOD) or glutathione (GSH) QRs did not bind cytoplasmic dynein. The coating methods require optimization of conditions and concentrations to balance between substantial NeutrAvidin binding vs tendency of QRs to aggregate and degrade over time.

  14. Magnetism by interfacial hybridization and p-type doping of MoS(2) in Fe(4)N/MoS(2) superlattices: a first-principles study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Feng, Nan; Mi, Wenbo; Cheng, Yingchun; Guo, Zaibing; Schwingenschlögl, Udo; Bai, Haili

    2014-03-26

    Magnetic and electronic properties of Fe4N(111)/MoS2(√3 × √3) superlattices are investigated by first-principles calculations, considering two models: (I) Fe(I)Fe(II)-S and (II) N-S interfaces, each with six stacking configurations. In model I, strong interfacial hybridization between Fe(I)/Fe(II) and S results in magnetism of monolayer MoS2, with a magnetic moment of 0.33 μB for Mo located on top of Fe(I). For model II, no magnetism is induced due to weak N-S interfacial bonding, and the semiconducting nature of monolayer MoS2 is preserved. Charge transfer between MoS2 and N results in p-type MoS2 with Schottky barrier heights of 0.5-0.6 eV. Our results demonstrate that the interfacial geometry and hybridization can be used to tune the magnetism and doping in Fe4N(111)/MoS2(√3 × √3) superlattices.

  15. Crystallization of [Fe4S3]-ferredoxin from the hyperthermophile archaeon pyrococcus furiosus

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Michael Ericsson Skovbo; Harris, Pernille; Christensen, Hans Erik Mølager

    2003-01-01

    Recombinant Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin with a [Fe3S4]-cluster was crystallized through steps of optimization and X-ray diffraction data were collected from several crystal forms. Flat plate-like crystals were grown by hanging-drop vapour diffusion. The precipitant used was 30% PEG 400; the p...

  16. Improving Pullulanase Catalysis via Reversible Immobilization on Modified Fe3O4@Polydopamine Nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Jianfeng; Liu, Zhongmei; Zhou, Zhemin

    2017-08-01

    To improve the catalysis of pullulanase from Anoxybacillus sp.WB42, Fe 3 O 4 @polydopamine nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @PDA) were prepared and modified with functional groups for immobilization of pullulanases via covalent binding or ionic adsorption. Immobilized pullulanases had lower thermal stability than that of free pullulanase, whereas their catalysis depended on the surface characteristics of nanoparticles. As for covalent immobilization of pullulanases onto Fe 3 O 4 @PDA derivatives, the spacer grafted onto Fe 3 O 4 @PDA made the catalytic efficiency of pullulanase increase up to the equivalence of free enzyme but dramatically reduced the pullulanase thermostability. In contrast, pullulanases bounded ionically to Fe 3 O 4 @PDA derivatives had higher activity recovery and catalytic efficiency, and their catalytic behaviors varied with the modifier grafted onto Fe 3 O 4 @PDA. Among these immobilized pullulanases, ionic adsorption of pullulanase on Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-polyethyleneimine-glycidyltrimethylammonium gave a high-performance and durable catalyst, which displayed not only 1.5-fold increase in catalytic efficiency compared to free enzyme but also a significant improvement in operation stability with a half of initial activity after 27 consecutive cycles with a total reaction time of 13.5 h, and was reversible, making this nanoparticle reusable for immobilization.

  17. Kinetic Monte Carlo Study of Li Intercalation in LiFePO4.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xiao, Penghao; Henkelman, Graeme

    2018-01-23

    Even as a commercial cathode material, LiFePO 4 remains of tremendous research interest for understanding Li intercalation dynamics. The partially lithiated material spontaneously separates into Li-poor and Li-rich phases at equilibrium. Phase segregation is a surprising property of LiFePO 4 given its high measured rate capability. Previous theoretical studies, aiming to describe Li intercalation in LiFePO 4 , include both atomic-scale density functional theory (DFT) calculations of static Li distributions and entire-particle-scale phase field models, based upon empirical parameters, studying the dynamics of the phase separation. Little effort has been made to bridge the gap between these two scales. In this work, DFT calculations are used to fit a cluster expansion for the basis of kinetic Monte Carlo calculations, which enables long time scale simulations with accurate atomic interactions. This atomistic model shows how the phases evolve in Li x FePO 4 without parameters from experiments. Our simulations reveal that an ordered Li 0.5 FePO4 phase with alternating Li-rich and Li-poor planes along the ac direction forms between the LiFePO 4 and FePO 4 phases, which is consistent with recent X-ray diffraction experiments showing peaks associated with an intermediate-Li phase. The calculations also help to explain a recent puzzling experiment showing that LiFePO 4 particles with high aspect ratios that are narrower along the [100] direction, perpendicular to the [010] Li diffusion channels, actually have better rate capabilities. Our calculations show that lateral surfaces parallel to the Li diffusion channels, as well as other preexisting sites that bind Li weakly, are important for phase nucleation and rapid cycling performance.

  18. Effective S =2 antiferromagnetic spin chain in the salt (o -MePy-V)FeCl4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Iwasaki, Y.; Kida, T.; Hagiwara, M.; Kawakami, T.; Hosokoshi, Y.; Tamekuni, Y.; Yamaguchi, H.

    2018-02-01

    We present a model compound for the S =2 antiferromagnetic (AF) spin chain composed of the salt (o -MePy-V ) FeCl4 . Ab initio molecular-orbital calculations indicate the formation of a partially stacked two-dimensional (2D) spin model comprising five types of exchange interactions between S =1 /2 and S =5 /2 spins, which locate on verdazyl radical and Fe ion, respectively. The magnetic properties of the synthesized crystals indicate that the dominant interaction between the S =1 /2 and S =5 /2 spins stabilizes an S =2 spin in the low-temperature region, and an effective S =2 AF chain is formed for T ≪10 K and H chain. At higher fields above quantitatively 4 T, the magnetization curve assumes two-thirds of the full saturation value for fields between 4 and 20 T, and approaches saturation at ˜40 T. The spin model in the high-field region can be considered as a quasi-2D S =1 /2 honeycomb lattice under an effective internal field caused by the fully polarized S =5 /2 spin.

  19. Fabrication of magnetic Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} nanocomposite for visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Peng, Ziling [State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei (China); Wu, Dan [School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China); Wang, Wei, E-mail: weiwang@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei (China); Tan, Fatang [State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei (China); Ng, Tsz Wai [School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China); Chen, Jianguo; Qiao, Xueliang [State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei (China); Wong, Po Keung, E-mail: pkwong@cuhk.edu.hk [School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China)

    2017-02-28

    Highlights: • Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} was prepared by a facile two-step precipitation method. • Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} exhibited high photocatalytic activity under LED lamp irradiation. • Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} possessed good stability and reusability for bacterial inactivation. • Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} could be easily collected from the reaction solution by a magnet. • The release rate of metal ions from nanocomposite was kept at a very low level. - Abstract: Bacterial inactivation by magnetic photocatalysts has now received growing interests due to the easy separation for recycle and reuse of photocatalysts. In this study, magnetic Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} photocatalyst was prepared by a facile two-step precipitation method. Multiple techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffused reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were employed to characterize the structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of the photocatalyst. The as-obtained Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} possessing magnetic property was easily collected from the reaction system by a magnet. Under white light-emitting-diode (LED) lamp irradiation, Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} nanocomposite could completely inactivate 7-log of Escherichia coli K-12 within 5 h. More importantly, almost no decrease of photocatalytic efficiency in bacterial inactivation was observed even after five consecutive cycles, demonstrating Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} exhibited good stability for reuse. The low released rate of Fe{sup 2+}/Fe{sup 3+} and Zn{sup 2+} from Fe@ZnO{sub 0.6}S{sub 0.4} composite further indicated the photocatalyst showed low cytotoxicity to bacterium and high stability under LED lamp irradiation. Facile preparation, high photocatalytic efficiency, good stability and reusability, and magnetic recovery property endow Fe@ZnO{sub 0

  20. In Situ Studies of Fe4+ Stability in β-Li3Fe2(PO4)3 Cathodes for Li Ion Batteries

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Christiansen, Ane Sælland; Johnsen, Rune E.; Norby, Poul

    2015-01-01

    In commercial Fe-based batteries the Fe2+/Fe3+ oxidation states are used, however by also utilizing the Fe4+ oxidation state, intercalation of up to two Li ions per Fe ion could be possible. In this study, we investigate whether Fe4+ can be formed and stabilized in β-Li3Fe2(PO4)3. The work includes...... of Fe4+ formation. Oxidation of the organic electrolyte is inevitable at 4.5 V but this alone cannot explain the volume change. Instead, a reversible oxygen redox process (O2− → O−) could possibly explain and charge compensate for the reversible extraction of lithium ions from β-Li3Fe2(PO4)3....... in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction studies (XRPD) during charging of β-Li3Fe2(PO4)3 up to 5.0 V vs. Li/Li+. A novel capillary-based micro battery cell for in situ XRPD has been designed for this. During charge, a plateau at 4.5 V was found and a small contraction in volume was observed...

  1. Redox Behavior of the S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM)-Binding Fe-S Cluster in Methylthiotransferase RimO, toward Understanding Dual SAM Activity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Molle, Thibaut; Moreau, Yohann; Clemancey, Martin; Forouhar, Farhad; Ravanat, Jean-Luc; Duraffourg, Nicolas; Fourmond, Vincent; Latour, Jean-Marc; Gambarelli, Serge; Mulliez, Etienne; Atta, Mohamed

    2016-10-18

    RimO, a radical-S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme, catalyzes the specific C 3 methylthiolation of the D89 residue in the ribosomal S 12 protein. Two intact iron-sulfur clusters and two SAM cofactors both are required for catalysis. By using electron paramagnetic resonance, Mössbauer spectroscopies, and site-directed mutagenesis, we show how two SAM molecules sequentially bind to the unique iron site of the radical-SAM cluster for two distinct chemical reactions in RimO. Our data establish that the two SAM molecules bind the radical-SAM cluster to the unique iron site, and spectroscopic evidence obtained under strongly reducing conditions supports a mechanism in which the first molecule of SAM causes the reoxidation of the reduced radical-SAM cluster, impeding reductive cleavage of SAM to occur and allowing SAM to methylate a HS - ligand bound to the additional cluster. Furthermore, by using density functional theory-based methods, we provide a description of the reaction mechanism that predicts the attack of the carbon radical substrate on the methylthio group attached to the additional [4Fe-4S] cluster.

  2. H4 replication-dependent diacetylation and Hat1 promote S-phase chromatin assembly in vivo

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ejlassi-Lassallette, Aïda; Mocquard, Eloïse; Arnaud, Marie-Claire; Thiriet, Christophe

    2011-01-01

    While specific posttranslational modification patterns within the H3 and H4 tail domains are associated with the S-phase, their actual functions in replication-dependent chromatin assembly have not yet been defined. Here we used incorporation of trace amounts of recombinant proteins into naturally synchronous macroplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum to examine the function of H3 and H4 tail domains in replication-coupled chromatin assembly. We found that the H3/H4 complex lacking the H4 tail domain was not efficiently recovered in nuclei, whereas depletion of the H3 tail domain did not impede nuclear import but chromatin assembly failed. Furthermore, our results revealed that the proper pattern of acetylation on the H4 tail domain is required for nuclear import and chromatin assembly. This is most likely due to binding of Hat1, as coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed Hat1 associated with predeposition histones in the cytoplasm and with replicating chromatin. These results suggest that the type B histone acetyltransferase assists in shuttling the H3/H4 complex from cytoplasm to the replication forks. PMID:21118997

  3. Magnetically separable mesoporous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/silica catalysts with very low Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} content

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Grau-Atienza, A.; Serrano, E.; Linares, N. [Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente s/n, E-03690 Alicante (Spain); Svedlindh, P. [Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, SE-75121 Uppsala (Sweden); Seisenbaeva, G., E-mail: Gulaim.Seisenbaeva@slu.se [Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, BioCenter SLU, Box 7015, SE-75007 Uppsala (Sweden); García-Martínez, J., E-mail: j.garcia@ua.es [Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente s/n, E-03690 Alicante (Spain)

    2016-05-15

    Two magnetically separable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} (aerogel and MSU-X) composites with very low Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} content (<1 wt%) have been successfully prepared at room temperature by co-condensation of MPTES-functionalized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) with a silicon alkoxide. This procedure yields a homogeneous incorporation of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs on silica supports, leading to magnetic composites that can be easily recovered using an external magnetic field, despite their very low Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs content (ca. 1 wt%). These novel hybrid Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} materials have been tested for the oxidation reaction of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) with hydrogen peroxide showing an enhancement of the stability of the NPs in the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/silica aerogel as compared to the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs alone, even after five catalytic cycles, no leaching or agglomeration of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} systems. - Graphical abstract: Novel magnetically separable mesoporous silica-based composites with very low magnetite content. - Highlights: • An innovative way to prepare magnetically separable composites with <1 wt% NPs. • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/silica composites are readily magnetized/demagnetized. • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/silica composites can be easily recovered using an external magnetic field. • Excellent catalytic performance and recyclability despite the low Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs content.

  4. The human CD8β M-4 isoform dominant in effector memory T cells has distinct cytoplasmic motifs that confer unique properties.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Deepshi Thakral

    Full Text Available The CD8 co-receptor influences T cell recognition and responses in both anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. During evolution in the ancestor of humans and chimpanzees, the CD8B gene acquired two additional exons. As a result, in humans, there are four CD8β splice variants (M1 to M4 that differ in their cytoplasmic tails. The M-1 isoform which is the equivalent of murine CD8β, is predominantly expressed in naïve T cells, whereas, the M-4 isoform is predominantly expressed in effector memory T cells. The characteristics of the M-4 isoform conferred by its unique 36 amino acid cytoplasmic tail are not known. In this study, we identified a dihydrophobic leucine-based receptor internalization motif in the cytoplasmic tail of M-4 that regulated its cell surface expression and downregulation after activation. Further the M-4 cytoplasmic tail was able to associate with ubiquitinated targets in 293T cells and mutations in the amino acids NPW, a potential EH domain binding site, either enhanced or inhibited the interaction. In addition, the M-4 tail was itself mono-ubiquitinated on a lysine residue in both 293T cells and a human T cell line. When peripheral blood human T cells expressed CD8αβ M-4, the frequency of MIP-1β secreting cells responding to antigen presenting cells was two-fold higher as compared to CD8αβ M-1 expressing T cells. Thus, the cytoplasmic tail of the CD8β M-4 isoform has unique characteristics, which likely contributed to its selective expression and function in human effector memory T cells.

  5. Noncovalent binding of 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide to proteins

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yamamoto, Osamu

    1979-01-01

    Binding of 4NQO to various kinds of enzymes or proteins was studied. Each one of proteins was mixed with 4NQO in 0.4 mM NaHCO 3 solution and eluted through Ultrogel AcA 22 column. Radioactivity of 14 C-labeled 4NQO found in protein fraction was measured. 4NQO bound hardly to polyglutamic acid and polyaspertic acid, somewhat to serum albumin, insulin, trypsin, RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase, and markedly to ureas which is an SH enzyme. Lactate dehydrogenase, one of SH enzymes, aggregated with 4NQO. The binding of SH enzyme with the N-oxide would be attributable to a noncovalent binding such as >N-O---H-S-, because 4NQO-urease binding yield markedly decreased in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate or cysteine, and also 4NQO-bound urease released 4NQO by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate. (author)

  6. Noncovalent binding of 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide to proteins

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yamamoto, O [Hiroshima Univ. (Japan). Research Inst. for Nuclear Medicine and Biology

    1979-12-01

    Binding of 4NQO to various kinds of enzymes or proteins was studied. Each one of proteins was mixed with 4NQO in 0.4 mM NaHCO/sub 3/ solution and eluted through Ultrogel AcA 22 column. Radioactivity of /sup 14/C-labeled 4NQO found in protein fraction was measured. 4NQO bound hardly to polyglutamic acid and polyaspertic acid, somewhat to serum albumin, insulin, trypsin, RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase, and markedly to ureas which is an SH enzyme. Lactate dehydrogenase, one of SH enzymes, aggregated with 4NQO. The binding of SH enzyme with the N-oxide would be attributable to a noncovalent binding such as >N-O---H-S-, because 4NQO-urease binding yield markedly decreased in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate or cysteine, and also 4NQO-bound urease released 4NQO by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate.

  7. Polyaniline/Fe3O4-RGO Nanocomposites for Microwave Absorption

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mathew, Jithin; Sathishkumar, M.; Kothurkar, Nikhil K.; Senthilkumar, R.; Sabarish Narayanan, B.

    2018-02-01

    Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation of ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ferrous chloride (FeCl2). Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared by reducing the graphene oxide, which was synthesized by Hummer’s method, using hydrazine hydrate. Three nanocomposites based on sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS)-doped polyaniline were synthesized through in situ polymerization in the presence of the fillers (i) Fe3O4, (ii) reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and (iii) Fe3O4-decorated RGO respectively. The synthesized PANI and the composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Their microstructures, electrical conductivities, and EMI shielding effectiveness were studied. The nanocomposite containing 10 % RGO showed the maximum electrical conductivity and the one with 10 % RGO and 10 % Fe3O4 showed the maximum EMI shielding effectiveness of 7.5 dB for a 1 mm thick sample.

  8. Magnesium Aminoclay-Fe3O4 (MgAC-Fe3O4 Hybrid Composites for Harvesting of Mixed Microalgae

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bohwa Kim

    2018-05-01

    Full Text Available In this paper, we describe the synthesis of magnesium aminoclay-iron oxide (MgAC-Fe3O4 hybrid composites for microalgae-harvesting application. MgAC-templated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs were synthesized in different ratios of MgAC and Fe3O4 NPs. The uniform distribution of Fe3O4 NPs in the MgAC matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM. According to obtained X-ray diffraction (XRD patterns, increased MgAC loading leads to decreased intensity of the composites’ (311 plane of Fe3O4 NPs. For harvesting of Chlorella sp. KR-1, Scenedesmus obliquus and mixed microalgae (Chlorella sp. KR-1/ Scenedesmus obliquus, the optimal pH was 4.0. At higher pHs, the microalgae-harvesting efficiencies fell. Sample #1, which had the highest MgAC concentration, showed the most stability: the harvesting efficiencies for Chlorella sp. KR-1, Scenedesmus obliquus, and mixed microalgae were reduced only to ~50% at pH = 10.0. The electrostatic interaction between MgAC and the Fe3O4 NPs in the hybrid samples by microalgae, as confirmed by zeta potential measurements, were attributed to the harvesting mechanisms. Moreover, the zeta potentials of the MgAC-Fe3O4 hybrid composites were reduced as pH was increased, thus diminishing the microalgae-harvesting efficiencies.

  9. The hybrid-cluster protein ('prismane protein') from Escherichia coli. Characterization of the hybrid-cluster protein, redox properties of the [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-2S-2O] clusters and identification of an associated NADH oxidoreductase containing FAD and[2Fe-2S

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Berg, van den W.A.M.; Hagen, W.R.; Dongen, van W.M.A.M.

    2000-01-01

    Hybrid-cluster proteins ('prismane proteins') have previously been isolated and characterized from strictly anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria. These proteins contain two types of Fe/S clusters unique in biological systems: a [4Fe-4S] cubane cluster with spin-admixed S = 3/2 ground-state

  10. Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy study of dextran-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Shaoxia; Meng Qiang; Wang Bing; Feng Weiyue; Wang Zhuo; Kui Rexi; Qian Haijie; Wang Jia'o

    2009-01-01

    Dextran-coated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were prepared by untrasonification of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with dextran at 85 degree C in sodium citrate medium. The surface chemical component, structure and bond of uncoated and dextran-coated nanoparticles were measured by synchrotron radiation XPS(X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of C1s and O1s of Fe 3 O 4 and dextran-Fe 3 O 4 showed that the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were successively coated by sodium citrate via Fe-O-C bond, and dextrans, which can be linked with their carboxylate moiety via hydrogen bond. Sodium citrate could enhance the disperse stability of reaction system and hydrophilicity of dextran-Fe 3 O 4 . (authors)

  11. Crystal structures and magnetic properties of iron (III)-based phosphates: Na{sub 4}NiFe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} and Na{sub 2}Ni{sub 2}Fe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Essehli, Rachid, E-mail: rachid_essehli@yahoo.fr [Laboratory of Mineral Solid and Analytical Chemistry ' LCSMA' , Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohamed I, Po. Box 717, 60000 Oujda (Morocco); Bali, Brahim El [Laboratory of Mineral Solid and Analytical Chemistry ' LCSMA' , Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohamed I, Po. Box 717, 60000 Oujda (Morocco); Benmokhtar, Said [LCMS, Laboratoire de Chimie des Materiaux Solides, Departement de chimie, Faculte des Sciences Ben M' SIK, Casablanca (Morocco); Bouziane, Khalid [Physics Department, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 36, Postal Code 123 Al Khod, Sultanate of Oman (Oman); Manoun, Bouchaib [Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie des Materiaux, Departement de Chimie, FST Errachidia, University Moulay Ismail, B.P. 509 Boutalamine, Errachidia (Morocco); Abdalslam, Mouner Ahmed [Materials Science, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt (Germany); Ehrenberg, Helmut [IFW Dresden, Helmholtzstr. 20, D-01069 Dresden (Germany)

    2011-01-28

    Graphical abstract: A perspective view of the Na{sub 2}Ni{sub 2}Fe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} structure along the [0 0 1] direction. Both compounds seem to exibit antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic entities at low temperature. Display Omitted Research highlights: > Nasicon and Alluaudite compounds, Iron(III)-based phosphates, Crystal structures of Na{sub 4}NiFe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} and Na{sub 2}Ni{sub 2}Fe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}. > Magnetism behaviours of Na{sub 4}NiFe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} and Na{sub 2}Ni{sub 2}Fe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}. > Antiferromagnetism interactions. > Mossbauer spectroscopy. - Abstract: Crystal structures from two new phosphates Na{sub 4}NiFe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (I) and Na{sub 2}Ni{sub 2}Fe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (II) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound (I) crystallizes in a rhombohedral system (S. G: R-3c, Z = 6, a = 8.7350(9) A, c = 21.643(4) A, R{sub 1} = 0.041, wR{sub 2}=0.120). Compound (II) crystallizes in a monoclinic system (S. G: C2/c, Z = 4, a = 11.729(7) A, b = 12.433(5) A, c = 6.431(2) A, {beta} = 113.66(4){sup o}, R{sub 1} = 0.043, wR{sub 2}=0.111). The three-dimensional structure of (I) is closely related to the Nasicon structural type, consisting of corner sharing [(Ni/Fe)O{sub 6}] octahedra and [PO{sub 4}] tetrahedra forming [NiFe(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup 4+} units which align in chains along the c-axis. The Na{sup +} cations fill up trigonal antiprismatic sites within these chains. The crystal structure of (II) belongs to the alluaudite type. Its open framework results from [Ni{sub 2}O{sub 10}] units of edge-sharing [NiO{sub 6}] octahedra, which alternate with [FeO{sub 6}] octahedra that form infinite chains. Coordination of these chains yields two distinct tunnels in which site Na{sup +}. The magnetization data of compound (I) reveal antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions by the onset of deviations from a Curie-Weiss behaviour at low temperature as confirmed by Moessbauer measurements performed at 4.2 K. The

  12. Magnetism by interfacial hybridization and p-type doping of MoS2 in Fe4N/MoS2 superlattices: A first-principles study

    KAUST Repository

    Feng, Nan

    2014-03-26

    Magnetic and electronic properties of Fe4N(111)/MoS 2(√3 × √3) superlattices are investigated by first-principles calculations, considering two models: (I) FeIFe II-S and (II) N-S interfaces, each with six stacking configurations. In model I, strong interfacial hybridization between FeI/Fe II and S results in magnetism of monolayer MoS2, with a magnetic moment of 0.33 μB for Mo located on top of Fe I. For model II, no magnetism is induced due to weak N-S interfacial bonding, and the semiconducting nature of monolayer MoS2 is preserved. Charge transfer between MoS2 and N results in p-type MoS2 with Schottky barrier heights of 0.5-0.6 eV. Our results demonstrate that the interfacial geometry and hybridization can be used to tune the magnetism and doping in Fe4N(111)/MoS2(√3 × √3) superlattices. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

  13. Magnetism by interfacial hybridization and p-type doping of MoS2 in Fe4N/MoS2 superlattices: A first-principles study

    KAUST Repository

    Feng, Nan; Mi, Wenbo; Cheng, Yingchun; Guo, Zaibing; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo; Bai, Haili

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic and electronic properties of Fe4N(111)/MoS 2(√3 × √3) superlattices are investigated by first-principles calculations, considering two models: (I) FeIFe II-S and (II) N-S interfaces, each with six stacking configurations. In model I, strong interfacial hybridization between FeI/Fe II and S results in magnetism of monolayer MoS2, with a magnetic moment of 0.33 μB for Mo located on top of Fe I. For model II, no magnetism is induced due to weak N-S interfacial bonding, and the semiconducting nature of monolayer MoS2 is preserved. Charge transfer between MoS2 and N results in p-type MoS2 with Schottky barrier heights of 0.5-0.6 eV. Our results demonstrate that the interfacial geometry and hybridization can be used to tune the magnetism and doping in Fe4N(111)/MoS2(√3 × √3) superlattices. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

  14. Inhibition of HCV replication by oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 4 (ORP4 through interaction with HCV NS5B and alteration of lipid droplet formation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    In-Woo Park

    Full Text Available Hepatitis C virus (HCV RNA replication involves complex interactions among the 3'x RNA element within the HCV 3' untranslated region, viral and host proteins. However, many of the host proteins remain unknown. In this study, we devised an RNA affinity chromatography /2D/MASS proteomics strategy and identified nine putative 3' X-associated host proteins; among them is oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 4 (ORP4, a cytoplasmic receptor for oxysterols. We determined the relationship between ORP4 expression and HCV replication. A very low level of constitutive ORP4 expression was detected in hepatocytes. Ectopically expressed ORP4 was detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and inhibited luciferase reporter gene expression in HCV subgenomic replicon cells and HCV core expression in JFH-1-infected cells. Expression of ORP4S, an ORP4 variant that lacked the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology domain but contained the C-terminal oxysterol-binding domain also inhibited HCV replication, pointing to an important role of the oxysterol-binding domain in ORP4-mediated inhibition of HCV replication. ORP4 was found to associate with HCV NS5B and its expression led to inhibition of the NS5B activity. ORP4 expression had little effect on intracellular lipid synthesis and secretion, but it induced lipid droplet formation in the context of HCV replication. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ORP4 is a negative regulator of HCV replication, likely via interaction with HCV NS5B in the replication complex and regulation of intracellular lipid homeostasis. This work supports the important role of lipids and their metabolism in HCV replication and pathogenesis.

  15. Electronic structure of homoleptic transition metal hydrides: TiH4, VH4, CrH4, MnH4, FeH4, CoH4, and NiH4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hood, D.M.; Pitzer, R.M.; Schaefer III, H.F.

    1979-01-01

    Ab initio molecular electronic structure theory has been applied to the family of transition metal tetrahydrides TiH 4 through NiH 4 . For the TiH 4 molecule a wide range of contracted Gaussian basis sets has been tested at the self-consistent-field (SCF) level of theory. The largest basis, labeled M(14s 11p 6d/10s 8p 3d), H(5s 1p/3s 1p), was used for all members of the series and should yield wave functions approaching true Hartree-Fock quality. Predicted SCF dissociation energies (relative to M+4H) and M--H bond distances are TiH 4 132 kcal, 1.70 A; VH 4 86 kcal, 1.64 A; CrH 4 65 kcal, 1.59 A; MnH 4 -- 36 kcal, 1.58 A; FeH 4 0 kcal, 1.58 A; CoH 4 27 kcal, 1.61 A; and NiH 4 18 kcal, 1.75 A. It should be noted immediately that each of these SCF dissociation energies will be increased by electron correlation effects by perhaps as much as 90 kcal. For all of these molecules except TiH 4 excited states have also been studied. One of the most interesting trends seen for these excited states is the shortening of the M--H bond as electrons are transferred from the antibonding 4t 2 orbital to the nonbonding 1e orbitals

  16. Hierarchical Fe_3O_4@MoS_2/Ag_3PO_4 magnetic nanocomposites: Enhanced and stable photocatalytic performance for water purification under visible light irradiation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Guo, Na; Li, Haiyan; Xu, Xingjian; Yu, Hongwen

    2016-01-01

    Highlights: • The FM/A-6% possesses a large specific surface area: 76.56 m"2/g. • The FM/A-6% displays high photocatalytic stability. • The FM/A-6% can be collected easily from the water by magnetic field. - Abstract: Novel hierarchical Fe_3O_4@MoS_2/Ag_3PO_4 magnetic nanophotocatalyst with remarkable photocatalytic capability were prepared by simply depositing the Ag_3PO_4 onto the surface of crumpled Fe_3O_4@MoS_2 nanosphere. The nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, BET, and UV–vis DRS. The outcome of the photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that Fe_3O_4@MoS_2/Ag_3PO_4 with 6 wt% content of Ag_3PO_4 (FM/A-6%) showed the highest photocatalytic activity upon the degradation Congo red (CR) and Rhodamine B (RhB) under both visible light and simulated sunlight irradiation. In addition, FM/A-6% possessed larger specific surface area (76.56 m"2/g) and excellent optical property. The possible Z-scheme charge carriers transfer mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic properties of the FM/A-6% was also discussed. The Z-scheme charge carriers transfer mechanism established between MoS_2 and Ag_3PO_4 facilitate the charge separation efficiency. Moreover, FM/A-6% can be separated and collected easily by external magnetic field and maintain high activity after five times photoreaction cycles. Given the remarkable photocatalytic performance and high stability of FM/A-6% nanocomposite, it is looking forward to exhibit great potential for applications in water purification.

  17. 2D parallel interpenetration of [M2(bpp)4X4] [M, Fe(II)/Co(II); bpp, 4,4'-trimethylenedipyridine; X, SCN-, SeCN- and N3-] complexes: Pseudohalide-dependent conformation of bpp

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Manna, Subal Chandra; Jana, Atish Dipankar; Rosair, Georgina M.; Drew, Michael G.B.; Mostafa, Golam; Ray Chaudhuri, Nirmalendu

    2008-01-01

    Three coordination complexes of Co(II)/Fe(II) with 4,4'-trimethylenedipyridine (bpp) and pseudohalides (SCN - , SeCN - and N 3 - ) have been synthesized. The complexes have been characterized by X-ray single crystal structure determination. They are isomorphous having 2D layers in which two independent wavy nets display parallel interwoven structures. Pseudohalide binds metal centers through N terminal and occupies the trans axial positions of the octahedral metal coordination environment. Pseudohalide remains pendant on both sides of the polymeric layer and help the stacking through hydrogen bonding. The conformation of bpp in the interpenetrated nets is observed to be dependent on the choice of pseudohalide. - Graphical abstract: Complexes of [M 2 (bpp) 4 X 4 ] [M, Fe(II)/Co(II); bpp, 4,4'-trimethylenedipyridine; X, SCN - , SeCN - and N3 - ] have been synthesized. The structural analysis reveals undulated 2D network with (4,4) net topology adopting two different conformations of bpp alternately. Two such networks undergo parallel interpenetration. Pseudohalides are observed to help in stacking the interpenetrated nets through hydrogen bonding

  18. Characterization of Glutaredoxin Fe-S Cluster-Binding Interactions Using Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Albetel, Angela-Nadia; Outten, Caryn E

    2018-01-01

    Monothiol glutaredoxins (Grxs) with a conserved Cys-Gly-Phe-Ser (CGFS) active site are iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster-binding proteins that interact with a variety of partner proteins and perform crucial roles in iron metabolism including Fe-S cluster transfer, Fe-S cluster repair, and iron signaling. Various analytical and spectroscopic methods are currently being used to monitor and characterize glutaredoxin Fe-S cluster-dependent interactions at the molecular level. The electronic, magnetic, and vibrational properties of the protein-bound Fe-S cluster provide a convenient handle to probe the structure, function, and coordination chemistry of Grx complexes. However, some limitations arise from sample preparation requirements, complexity of individual techniques, or the necessity for combining multiple methods in order to achieve a complete investigation. In this chapter, we focus on the use of UV-visible circular dichroism spectroscopy as a fast and simple initial approach for investigating glutaredoxin Fe-S cluster-dependent interactions. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} and Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x}: Two stannide intermetallics with low-dimensional iron sublattices

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Calta, Nicholas P. [Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University (United States); Kanatzidis, Mercouri G., E-mail: m-kanatzidis@northwestern.edu [Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University (United States); Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory (United States)

    2016-04-15

    This article reports two new Hf-rich intermetallics synthesized using Sn flux: Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} and Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x}. Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} adopts an ordered variant the Hf{sub 3}Cu{sub 8} structure type in orthorhombic space group Pnma with unit cell edges of a=8.1143(5) Å, b=8.8466(5) Å, and c=10.6069(6) Å. Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x}, on the other hand, adopts a new structure type in Cmc2{sub 1} with unit cell edges of a=5.6458(3) Å, b=35.796(2) Å, and c=8.88725(9) Å for x=0. It exhibits a small amount of phase width in which Sn substitutes on one of the Fe sites. Both structures are fully three-dimensional and are characterized by pseudo one- and two-dimensional networks of Fe–Fe homoatomic bonding. Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x} exhibits antiferromagnetic order at T{sub N}=46(2) K and its electrical transport behavior indicates that it is a normal metal with phonon-dictated resistivity. Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} is also an antiferromagnet with a rather high ordering temperature of T{sub N}=373(5) K. Single crystal resistivity measurements indicate that Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} behaves as a Fermi liquid at low temperatures, indicating strong electron correlation. - Graphical abstract: Slightly different growth conditions in Sn flux produce two new intermetallic compounds: Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} and Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x}. - Highlights: • Single crystals of both Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} and Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x} were grown using Sn flux. • The crystal structures were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. • The Fe moments in Hf{sub 3}Fe{sub 4}Sn{sub 4} display AFM order below T{sub N}=373 K. • The Fe moments in Hf{sub 9}Fe{sub 4−x}Sn{sub 10+x} display AFM order below T{sub N}=46 K.

  20. Synthesis and characterization of polypropiolate sodium (PPNa)-Fe3O4 nanocomposite

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bahceci, S.; Unal, B.; Baykal, A.; Soezeri, H.; Karaoglu, E.; Esat, B.

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: · Polypropiolate sodium (PPNa)-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by reflux route. · FT-IR, TGA and TEM analyses showed that the presence of PPNa onto the surface of Fe 3 O 4 NP's. · Magnetization measurements revealed that (PPNa)-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite has superparamagnetic properties at room temperature. · Magnetic core size, particle size and crystallite size are coinciding with each other. · It is pointed out that the a.c. conductivity of the nanocomposite studied here obeys the well-known power law of frequency in which it also varies with temperatures. - Abstract: Polypropiolate sodium (PPNa)-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by the precipitation of Fe 3 O 4 in the presence of sodium polypropiolate and followed by reflux route. Structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties evaluation of the nanocomposite were performed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating scanning magnetometry (VSM) and conductivity measurements. Crystalline phase was identified as magnetite with an average crystallite size of 7 ± 3 nm as estimated from X-ray line profile fitting. Particle size estimated from TEM, by log-normal fitting, is ∼9 ± 1 nm. FT-IR analysis shows that the binding of PPNa on the surface of iron oxide is through bidentate linkage of carboxyl group. TGA analysis showed the presence of 20% PPNa around 80% magnetic core (Fe 3 O 4 )...PPNa-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite show superparamagnetic characteristics at room temperature. It is found that the a.c. conductivity of the nanocomposites obeys the well-known power law of frequency in which it also depends on temperature. Additionally, its d.c. conductivity showed that two operating regions of the activation energy. Both real and imaginary parts of either permittivity exhibit almost the same attitudes which are the indication of

  1. NifI inhibits nitrogenase by competing with Fe protein for binding to the MoFe protein

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dodsworth, Jeremy A.; Leigh, John A.

    2007-01-01

    Reduction of substrate by nitrogenase requires direct electron transfer from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein. Inhibition of nitrogenase activity in Methanococcus maripaludis occurs when the regulatory protein NifI 1,2 binds the MoFe protein. This inhibition is relieved by 2-oxoglutarate. Here we present evidence that NifI 1,2 binding prevents association of the two nitrogenase components. Increasing amounts of Fe protein competed with NifI 1,2 , decreasing its inhibitory effect. NifI 1,2 prevented the co-purification of MoFe protein with a mutant form of the Fe protein that forms a stable complex with the MoFe protein, and NifI 1,2 was unable to bind to an AlF 4 - -stabilized Fe protein:MoFe protein complex. NifI 1,2 inhibited ATP- and MoFe protein-dependent oxidation of the Fe protein, and 2OG relieved this inhibition. These results support a model where NifI 1,2 competes with the Fe protein for binding to MoFe protein and prevents electron transfer

  2. SYNTHESIS OF M–Nd DOPED Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES (M = Co ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

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    nanoparticles were spherical shaped with inverse spinel structure. ... To obtain nano sized spinel ferrite particles, various preparation techniques have been ... SEM images of (a) Fe3O4, (b) Fe3O4 doped with Nd3+ and Co2+, (c) Fe3O4 doped with. Nd3+ .... Nayar, S.; Mir, A.; Ashok, A.; Sharma, A. J. Bionic Eng. 2010, 7, 29.

  3. Novel "203" type of heterostructured MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid: Synthesis, and enhanced microwave absorption properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Erqi; Qi, Xiaosi; Xie, Ren; Bai, Zhongchen; Jiang, Yang; Qin, Shuijie; Zhong, Wei; Du, Youwei

    2018-06-01

    It is widely recognized that constructing multiple interface structures to enhance interface polarization is very good for the attenuation of electromagnetic (EM) wave. Here, a novel "203" type of heterostructured nanohybrid consisting of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets, zero-dimensional (0D) Fe3O4 nanoparticles and three-dimensional (3D) carbon layers was elaborately designed and successfully synthesized by a two-step method: Fe3O4 nanoparticles were deposited onto the surface of few-layer MoS2 nanosheets by a hydrothermal method, followed by the carbonation process by a chemical vapor deposition method. Compared to that of "20" type MoS2-Fe3O4, the as-prepared heterostructured "203" type MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid exhibited remarkably enhanced EM and microwave absorption properties. And the minimum reflection loss (RL) value of the obtained MoS2-Fe3O4-C ternary nanohybrid could reach -53.03 dB at 14.4 GHz with a matching thickness of 7.86 mm. Moreover, the excellent EM wave absorption property of the as-prepared ternary nanohybrid was proved to be attributed to the quarter-wavelength matching model. Therefore, a simple and effective route was proposed to produce MoS2-based mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructure, which provided a new platform for the designing and production of high performance microwave absorption materials.

  4. Bi-functional Au/FeS (Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}) composite for in situ SERS monitoring and degradation of organic pollutants

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ma, Shuzhen; Cai, Qian; Lu, Kailing; Liao, Fan, E-mail: fliao@suda.edu.cn; Shao, Mingwang, E-mail: mwshao@suda.edu.cn [Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University (China)

    2016-01-15

    The bi-functional Au/FeS (Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}) composite was fabricated by in situ reducing Au nanoparticles onto the surface of FeS (Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}). The as-prepared FeS possessed a multi-structure composed of plenty of nanoplates, which were coated by Au nanoparticles with an average size of ∼47.5 nm. While the Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} showed a thin hexagonal sheet containing Au nanoparticles on its surface with an average size of ∼79.0 nm. Both the as-prepared Au/FeS and Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} composites exhibited excellent SERS performance, capable of enhancing the Raman signals of R6G molecules with the enhancement factor up to 1.81 × 10{sup 6} and 7.60 × 10{sup 4}, respectively. Moreover, Au/FeS (Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}) composite also has been verified to have intrinsic peroxidase-like activity, which could decompose H{sub 2}O{sub 2} into hydroxyl radicals and then degrade organic pollutants into small molecules. Therefore, SERS can be used to real-time and in situ monitoring the degradation process of R6G molecules, employing the Au/FeS (Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}) composite both as SERS substrate and catalyst. Graphical abstract: SERS was used to real-time and in situ monitoring the degradation of R6G, employing the Au/FeS and Au/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} composites both as SERS substrates and catalysts.

  5. Comparison of electrochemical performances of olivine NaFePO4 in sodium-ion batteries and olivine LiFePO4 in lithium-ion batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhu, Yujie; Xu, Yunhua; Liu, Yihang; Luo, Chao; Wang, Chunsheng

    2013-01-21

    Carbon-coated olivine NaFePO(4) (C-NaFePO(4)) spherical particles with a uniform diameter of ∼80 nm are obtained by chemical delithiation and subsequent electrochemical sodiation of carbon-coated olivine LiFePO(4) (C-LiFePO(4)), which is synthesized by a solvothermal method. The C-NaFePO(4) electrodes are identical (particle size, particle size distribution, surface coating, and active material loading, etc.) to C-LiFePO(4) except that Li ions in C-LiFePO(4) are replaced by Na ions, making them ideal for comparison of thermodynamics and kinetics between C-NaFePO(4) cathode in sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries and C-LiFePO(4) in lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. In this paper, the equilibrium potentials, reaction resistances, and diffusion coefficient of Na in C-NaFePO(4) are systematically investigated by using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), and compared to those of the well-known LiFePO(4) cathodes in Li-ion batteries. Due to the lower diffusion coefficient of Na-ion and higher contact and charge transfer resistances in NaFePO(4) cathodes, the rate performance of C-NaFePO(4) in Na-ion batteries is much worse than that of C-LiFePO(4) in Li-ion batteries. However, the cycling stability of C-NaFePO(4) is almost comparable to C-LiFePO(4) by retaining 90% of its capacity even after 100 charge-discharge cycles at a charge-discharge rate of 0.1 C.

  6. Mixed-Spin Diamond Chain Cu2FePO4F4(H2O)4 with a Noncollinear Spin Order and Possible Successive Phase Transitions.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lu, Hongcheng; Hayashi, Naoaki; Matsumoto, Yuki; Takatsu, Hiroshi; Kageyama, Hiroshi

    2017-08-07

    A diamond spin chain system, one of the one-dimensional frustrated lattices, is known to exhibit novel properties, but experimental studies have been exclusively confined to materials with a single spin component. Here, we report on the synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a new diamond chain compound Cu 2 FePO 4 F 4 (H 2 O) 4 1 composed of mixed-spins of Cu 2+ (S = 1/2 × 2) and Fe 3+ (S = 5/2). Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group C2/c of the monoclinic crystal system with a = 7.7546(4) Å, b = 12.1290(6) Å, c = 9.9209(6) Å, β = 105.29(1)°, and Z = 4. DC magnetization, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and heat capacity measurements revealed an antiferromagnetic order at 11.3 K with a small ferromagnetic component. It is suggested that ferrimagnetic diamond chains are arranged in an antiferromagnetic fashion (i.e., [...Fe(↑)-2Cu(↓↓)-Fe(↑)...] and [...Fe(↓)-2Cu(↑↑)-Fe(↓)...]) within the ab plane to cancel net magnetization, and the spin orientation of the diamond chains changes alternately along the c axis due to the magnetic anisotropy, leading to a noncollinear spin order. Furthermore, another anomaly is observed in the heat capacity at around 3 K, suggesting a successive magnetic transition or crossover due to competing magnetic interactions.

  7. Interparticle interactions of FePt core and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell in FePt/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} magnetic nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Akbari, Hossein, E-mail: Akbari.ph@iauardabil.ac.ir [Department of Physics, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Zeynali, Hossein [Department of Physics, Kashan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kashan (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Bakhshayeshi, Ali [Department of Physics, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

    2016-02-22

    Monodisperse FePt nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using simple wet chemical method. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} was used as a magnetic shell around each FePt nanoparticles. In FePt/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core/shell system, core thickness is 2 nm and shell thickness varies from zero to 2.5 nm. A theoretical model presented to calculate the shell thickness dependence of Coercivity. Presented model is compared with the results from Stoner–Wohlfarth model to interpret the shell thickness dependence of Coercivity in FePt/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core/shell nanoparticles. There is a difference between the results from Stoner–Wohlfarth model and experimental data when the shell thickness increases. In the presented model, the effects of interparticle exchange and random magneto crystalline anisotropy are added to the previous models of magnetization reversal for core/shell nanostructures in order to achieve a better agreement with experimental data. For magnetic shells in FePt/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core/shell, effective coupling between particles increases with increasing shell thickness which leads to Coercivity destruction for stronger couplings. According to the boundary conditions, in the harder regions with higher exchange stiffness, there is small variation in magnetization and so the magnetization modes become more localized. We discussed both localized and non-localized magnetization modes. For non-zero shell thickness, non-localized modes propagate in the soft phase which effects the quality of particle exchange interactions. - Highlights: • Monodisperse FePt nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using simple wet chemical method. • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} was used as a magnetic shell around each FePt nanoparticles. • A theoretical model presented to calculate the shell thickness dependence of Coercivity. • Magnetic shells increase effective coupling between particles with increasing shell thickness. • Magnetization modes are more localized in the regions with

  8. Vibrational properties of stannite and kesterite type compounds: Raman scattering analysis of Cu{sub 2}(Fe,Zn)SnS{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fontane, X.; Izquierdo-Roca, V.; Saucedo, E. [IREC: Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, C. Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adria del Besos, Barcelona 08930 (Spain); Schorr, S. [Free University Berlin, Institute of Geological Sciences, Malteserstr. 74-100, Berlin (Germany); Yukhymchuk, V.O.; Valakh, M.Ya. [V.E. Lahskaryov Institute of Semiconductor Physics, National Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Nauki 41, Kiev 03028 (Ukraine); Perez-Rodriguez, A., E-mail: aperezr@irec.cat [IREC: Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, C. Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adria del Besos, Barcelona 08930 (Spain); IN2UB, Departament d' Electronica, Universitat de Barcelona, C. Marti i Franques 1, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Morante, J.R. [IREC: Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, C. Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adria del Besos, Barcelona 08930 (Spain); IN2UB, Departament d' Electronica, Universitat de Barcelona, C. Marti i Franques 1, 08028 Barcelona (Spain)

    2012-10-25

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Analysis of main and weaker Raman peaks from Cu{sub 2}FeZnS{sub 4} and Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} compounds. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Identification of a cation disorder induced Raman peak in Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Analysis of spectral features of main Raman peaks from Cu{sub 2}(Fe,Zn)SnS{sub 4}. - Abstract: This work reports the analysis of the vibrational properties of stannite-kesterite Cu{sub 2}(Fe,Zn)SnS{sub 4} compounds that has been performed by Raman scattering measurements. The detailed analysis of the experimental spectra has allowed determining the frequency and symmetry assignment of the main and weaker peaks from both stannite Cu{sub 2}FeSnS{sub 4} (CFTS) and kesterite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) phases. The measurements performed in the kesterite CZTS samples have also revealed the presence of local inhomogeneities that are characterised by an additional peak in the spectra at about 331 cm{sup -1}. This peak has been related to the presence in these local regions of a high degree of disorder in the cation sublattice, in agreement with previous neutron diffraction analysis in similar samples. Finally, the spectra from the solid solution alloys show a one-mode behaviour of the main A/A{sub 1} peak with the chemical composition.

  9. Structural and Electrochemical Characterization of Pure LiFePO4 and Nanocomposite C-LiFePO4 Cathodes for Lithium Ion Rechargeable Batteries

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Arun Kumar

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available Pure lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 and carbon-coated LiFePO4 (C-LiFePO4 cathode materials were synthesized for Li-ion batteries. Structural and electrochemical properties of these materials were compared. X-ray diffraction revealed orthorhombic olivine structure. Micro-Raman scattering analysis indicates amorphous carbon, and TEM micrographs show carbon coating on LiFePO4 particles. Ex situ Raman spectrum of C-LiFePO4 at various stages of charging and discharging showed reversibility upon electrochemical cycling. The cyclic voltammograms of LiFePO4 and C-LiFePO4 showed only a pair of peaks corresponding to the anodic and cathodic reactions. The first discharge capacities were 63, 43, and 13 mAh/g for C/5, C/3, and C/2, respectively for LiFePO4 where as in case of C-LiFePO4 that were 163, 144, 118, and 70 mAh/g for C/5, C/3, C/2, and 1C, respectively. The capacity retention of pure LiFePO4 was 69% after 25 cycles where as that of C-LiFePO4 was around 97% after 50 cycles. These results indicate that the capacity and the rate capability improved significantly upon carbon coating.

  10. Rate-dependent, Li-ion insertion/deinsertion behavior of LiFePO4 cathodes in commercial 18650 LiFePO4 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Qi; He, Hao; Li, Zhe-Fei; Liu, Yadong; Ren, Yang; Lu, Wenquan; Lu, Jun; Stach, Eric A; Xie, Jian

    2014-03-12

    We have performed operando synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain nonintrusive, real-time monitoring of the dynamic chemical and structural changes in commercial 18650 LiFePO4/C cells under realistic cycling conditions. The results indicate a nonequilibrium lithium insertion and extraction in the LiFePO4 cathode, with neither the LiFePO4 phase nor the FePO4 phase maintaining a static composition during lithium insertion/extraction. On the basis of our observations, we propose that the LiFePO4 cathode simultaneously experiences both a two-phase reaction mechanism and a dual-phase solid-solution reaction mechanism over the entire range of the flat voltage plateau, with this dual-phase solid-solution behavior being strongly dependent on charge/discharge rates. The proposed dual-phase solid-solution mechanism may explain the remarkable rate capability of LiFePO4 in commercial cells.

  11. Structural and magnetic properties of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} core/shell nanocomposite prepared by the hydrothermal method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sattar, A.A. [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, 11566 Abbasia, Cairo (Egypt); EL-Sayed, H.M., E-mail: h_m_elsaid@hotmail.com [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, 11566 Abbasia, Cairo (Egypt); ALsuqia, Ibrahim [Department of Physics, Faculty of Education and Applied Science, Hajjah University, Alshahli, Hajjah (Yemen)

    2015-12-01

    CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} core/shell magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized by using hydrothermal method.The analysis of XRD indicated the coexistence of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}, NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}as core/shell composite. The core/shell structure of the composite sample has been confirmed by HR-TEM images, EDX and FT-IR measurements. The size of obtained core/shell nanoparticles was 17 nm in core diameter and about 3 nm in shell thickness. The magnetization measurements showed that both the coercive field and the saturation magnetization of the resulting core/shell nanocomposite were slightly decreased compared to those of the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} core but the thermal stability is of the magnetization parameter was enhanced. Furthermore, superparamagnetic phase is established at temperatures higher than the room temperature. The results were discussed in terms of the surface pinning and the magnetic interaction at the interface between the core and shell. - Highlights: • CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} core/shell could be prepared by hydrothermal method. • The structural analysis proved the formation of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} shell with thickness 3 nm. • The thermal stability of M{sub s} and H{sub c} is enhanced due to the presence of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} as a shell. • Super paramagnetic transition is confirmed and the effective magnetic anisotropy was calculated.

  12. A study on martensitic structure in Fe-4Cr-0.4C steel

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Won, S.B.

    1980-01-01

    Morphology, dependence of prior austenite grain size and packet size upon austenitizing temperature, distribution of lath width, and habit plane of martensitic structure in Fe-4Cr-0.4C steel has been studied by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained are as follows. 1) Optical microstructures of martensitic Fe-4Cr-0.4C steel consist of lath martensite and lens martensite. Also the four types of morphology are observed by electron microscopy. The most common morphologies are a regular paralleled martensite and an irregular dovetailed lath martensite, while the remainder of microstructures consists mainly of groups of internally twinned martensite and autotempered laths. 2) Prior austenite grain size and packet size increased with austenizing temperature, and also the numbers of lath contained in a prior austenite grain or a packet are increased with austenizing temperature. 3) The mean width of lath in Fe-4Cr-0.4C steel is about 0.23μm and most of lath widths are below 0.5μm. 4) Martensite habit plane of Fe-4Cr-0.4C steel is nearly [110]α'. (author)

  13. Ab Initio Electronic Structure Calculation of [4Fe-3S] Cluster of Hydrogenase as Dihydrogen Dissociation/Production Catalyst

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kim, Jaehyun; Kang, Jiyoung; Nishigami, Hiroshi; Kino, Hiori; Tateno, Masaru

    2018-03-01

    Hydrogenases catalyze both the dissociation and production of dihydrogen (H2). Most hydrogenases are inactivated rapidly and reactivated slowly (in vitro), in the presence of dioxygen (O2) and H2, respectively. However, membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenases (MBHs) sustain their activity even together with O2, which is termed "O2 tolerance". In previous experimental analyses, an MBH was shown to include a hydroxyl ion (OH-) bound to an Fe of the super-oxidized [4Fe-3S]5+ cluster in the proximity of the [NiFe] catalytic cluster. In this study, the functional role of the OH- in the O2 tolerance was investigated by ab initio electronic structure calculation of the [4Fe-3S] proximal cluster. The analysis revealed that the OH- significantly altered the electronic structure, thereby inducing the delocalization of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) toward the [NiFe] catalytic cluster, which may intermediate the electron transfer between the catalytic and proximal clusters. This can promote the O2-tolerant catalytic cycle in the hydrogenase reaction.

  14. Polymorphisms A387P in thrombospondin-4 and N700S in thrombospondin-1 perturb calcium binding sites.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stenina, Olga I; Ustinov, Valentin; Krukovets, Irene; Marinic, Tina; Topol, Eric J; Plow, Edward F

    2005-11-01

    Recent genetic studies have associated members of the thrombospondin (TSP) gene family with premature cardiovascular disease. The disease-associated polymorphisms lead to single amino acid changes in TSP-4 (A387P) and TSP-1 (N700S). These substitutions reside in adjacent domains of these highly homologous proteins. Secondary structural predictive programs and the homology of the domains harboring these amino acid substitutions to those in other proteins pointed to potential alterations of putative Ca2+ binding sites that reside in close proximity to the polymorphic amino acids. Since Ca2+ binding is critical for the structure and function of TSP family members, direct evidence for differences in Ca2+ binding by the polymorphic forms was sought. Using synthetic peptides and purified recombinant variant fragments bearing the amino acid substitutions, we measured differences in Tb3+ luminescence as an index of Ca2+ binding. The Tb3+ binding constants placed the TSP-1 region affected by N700S polymorphism among other high-affinity Ca2+ binding sites. The affinity of Ca2+ binding was lower for peptides (3.5-fold) and recombinant fragments (10-fold) containing the S700 vs. the N700 form. In TSP-4, the P387 form acquired an additional Ca2+ binding site absent in the A387 form. The results of our study suggest that both substitutions (A387P in TSP-4 and N700S in TSP-1) alter Ca2+ binding properties. Since these substitutions exert the opposite effects on Ca2+ binding, a decrease in TSP-1 and an increase in TSP-4, the two TSP variants are likely to influence cardiovascular functions in distinct but yet pathogenic ways.

  15. Electrochemical characterization of LiFePO{sub 4}/poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-multi walled carbon nanotube composite cathode material for lithium ion batteries

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nguyen, Van Hiep; Wang, Wan Lin; Jin, En Mei; Gu, Hal-Bon, E-mail: hbgu@chonnam.ac.kr

    2013-08-25

    Highlights: •LiFePO{sub 4}/PSS–MWCNT successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method. •LiFePO{sub 4}/PSS(2.5%)–MWCNT(2.5%) shows the best electrochemical performances. •PSS stacks and forms a layer about 3–6 nm around the surface of LiFePO{sub 4} particles. •The electronic conductivity of LiFePO{sub 4}/PSS(2.5%)–MWCNT(2.5%) is 6.3 × 10{sup −3} S cm{sup −1}. -- Abstract: LiFePO{sub 4} is a promising cathode material for lithium ion batteries and is prepared by a hydrothermal method. However, its practical application is limited due to its poor conductivity. In order to improve the electronic conductivity, we added poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in LiFePO{sub 4}. In the results, PSS stacks and forms a layer about 3–6 nm around the surface of LiFePO{sub 4} particles. MWCNT provides pathways for electron transport. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic discharge testing results indicate that LiFePO{sub 4}/PSS–MWCNT composite exhibits higher discharge capacity than pure LiFePO{sub 4}. LiFePO{sub 4}/PSS(2.5%)–MWCNT(2.5%) shows the best discharge capacity of 144 mAh g{sup −1} at 2nd cycle, and high electronic conductivity of 6.3 × 10{sup −3} S cm{sup −1}.

  16. Degradation of organic dyes by a new heterogeneous Fenton reagent - Fe2GeS4 nanoparticle.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shi, Xiaoguo; Tian, Ang; You, Junhua; Yang, He; Wang, Yuzheng; Xue, Xiangxin

    2018-07-05

    The heterogeneous Fenton system has become the hotspot in the decontamination field due to its effective degradation performance with a wide pH range. Based on the unstable chemical properties of pyrite, in this article, Fe 2 GeS 4 nanoparticles with better thermodynamic stability were prepared by vacuum sintering and high energy ball milling and its potential as Fenton reagent was investigated for the first time. Three determinants of the heterogeneous Fenton system including the iron source, hydrogen peroxide, pH and the degradation mechanism were investigated. The catalyst dosage of 0.3 g/L, initial H 2 O 2 concentration in the Fenton system of 50 m mol/L and pH of 7 were chosen as the best operational conditions. An almost complete degradation was achieved within 5 min for methylene blue and rhodamine b while 10 min for methyl orange. The total organic carbon removal efficiencies of Fe 2 GeS 4 heterogeneous Fenton system for methylene blue, methyl orange and rhodamine b in 10 min were 56.3%, 66.2% and 74.2%, respectively. It's found that the degradation ability could be attributed to a heterogeneous catalysis occurring at the Fe 2 GeS 4 surface together with a homogeneous catalysis in the aqueous phase by the dissolved iron ions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Mild hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, thermal behavior, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the (NH4)[Fe(AsO4)1-x(PO4)xF] (x=0.3, 0.6, 0.8) series. Thermal transformation of (NH4)[Fe(AsO4)0.7(PO4)0.3F] into the textural porous orthorhombic Fe(AsO4)0.7(PO4)0.3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Berrocal, Teresa; Mesa, Jose L.; Pizarro, Jose L.; Bazan, Begona; Lezama, Luis; Arriortua, Maria I.; Rojo, Teofilo

    2009-01-01

    The (NH 4 )[Fe(AsO 4 ) 1-x (PO 4 ) x F] (x=0.3, 0.6, 0.8) series of compounds has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic Pna2 1 space group, with the unit-cell parameters a=13.1718(1), b=6.5966(6), c=10.797(1) A for x=0.3; a=13.081(1), b=6.5341(6), c=10.713(1) A for x=0.6 and a=13.0329(9), b=6.4994(4), c=10.6702(6) A for x=0.8, with the volumes 938.6(1), 915.7(1) and 903.8(1) A 3 , respectively, with Z=8. Single crystals of (NH 4 )[Fe(AsO 4 ) 0.7 (PO 4 ) 0.3 F] heated under air atmosphere at 465 deg. C remain as single crystals, changing the composition to Fe(AsO 4 ) 0.7 (PO 4 ) 0.3 . This later phase belongs to the orthorhombic Imam space group, with the unit cell parameters a=13.328(2), b=6.5114(5), c=10.703(1) A, V=928.9(2) A 3 and Z=12. The crystal structure of the ammonium phases consists of a KTP three-dimensional framework constructed by chains formed by alternating Fe(2)O 4 F 2 or Fe(1)O 4 F 2 octahedra and As/P(2)O 4 or As/P(1)O 4 tetrahedra, respectively. These octahedra and tetrahedra are linked by a common oxygen vertex. The chains run along the 'a' and 'b' crystallographic axes. The crystal structure of Fe(AsO 4 ) 0.7 (PO 4 ) 0.3 is a three-dimensional skeleton derived from that of the precursor, formed from (100) sheets stacked along the [001] direction, and interconnected by chains of alternating Fe(2)O 6 octahedra and As/P(2)O 4 tetrahedra sharing a vertex in the 'a' direction. Transmission electronic microscopy of this compound indicates the existence of unconnected external cavities with a BET surface area of 3.91(3) m 2 g -1 . The diffuse reflectance spectra in the visible region show the forbidden electronic transitions characteristic of the Fe(III) d 5 -high spin cation in slightly distorted octahedral geometry, for all the compounds. The ESR spectra for all the compounds, carried out from room temperature to 4.2 K, remain isotropic with variation in temperature; the g-value is 1

  18. The Bisphenol A analogue Bisphenol S binds to K-Ras4B--implications for 'BPA-free' plastics.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Schöpel, Miriam; Herrmann, Christian; Scherkenbeck, Jürgen; Stoll, Raphael

    2016-02-01

    K-Ras4B is a small GTPase that belongs to the Ras superfamily of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. GTPases function as molecular switches in cells and are key players in intracellular signalling. Ras has been identified as an oncogene and is mutated in more than 20% of human cancers. Here, we report that Bisphenol S binds into a binding pocket of K-Ras4B previously identified for various low molecular weight compounds. Our results advocate for more comprehensive safety studies on the toxicity of Bisphenol S, as it is frequently used for Bisphenol A-free food containers. © 2016 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  19. Amino Terminal Region of Dengue Virus NS4A Cytosolic Domain Binds to Highly Curved Liposomes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yu-Fu Hung

    2015-07-01

    Full Text Available Dengue virus (DENV is an important human pathogen causing millions of disease cases and thousands of deaths worldwide. Non-structural protein 4A (NS4A is a vital component of the viral replication complex (RC and plays a major role in the formation of host cell membrane-derived structures that provide a scaffold for replication. The N-terminal cytoplasmic region of NS4A(1–48 is known to preferentially interact with highly curved membranes. Here, we provide experimental evidence for the stable binding of NS4A(1–48 to small liposomes using a liposome floatation assay and identify the lipid binding sequence by NMR spectroscopy. Mutations L6E;M10E were previously shown to inhibit DENV replication and to interfere with the binding of NS4A(1–48 to small liposomes. Our results provide new details on the interaction of the N-terminal region of NS4A with membranes and will prompt studies of the functional relevance of the curvature sensitive membrane anchor at the N-terminus of NS4A.

  20. Mutational analysis of the EMCV 2A protein identifies a nuclear localization signal and an eIF4E binding site

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Groppo, Rachel; Brown, Bradley A.; Palmenberg, Ann C.

    2011-01-01

    Cardioviruses have a unique 2A protein (143 aa). During genome translation, the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) 2A is released through a ribosome skipping event mitigated through C-terminal 2A sequences and by subsequent N-terminal reaction with viral 3C pro . Although viral replication is cytoplasmic, mature 2A accumulates in nucleoli shortly after infection. Some protein also transiently associates with cytoplasmic 40S ribosomal subunits, an activity contributing to inhibition of cellular cap-dependent translation. Cardiovirus sequences predict an eIF4E binding site (aa 126-134) and a nuclear localization signal (NLS, aa 91-102), within 2A, both of which are functional during EMCV infection. Point mutations preventing eIF4E:2A interactions gave small-plaque phenotype viruses, but still inhibited cellular cap-dependent translation. Deletions within the NLS motif relocalized 2A to the cytoplasm and abrogated the inhibition of cap-dependent translation. A fusion protein linking the 2A NLS to eGFP was sufficient to redirect the reporter to the nucleus but not into nucleoli.

  1. Electrodeposition of Fe_3O_4 layer from solution of Fe_2(SO_4)_3 with addition ethylene glycol

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dahlan, Dahyunir; Asrar, Allan

    2016-01-01

    The electrodeposition of Fe_3O_4 layer from the solution Fe_2(SO_4)_3 with the addition of ethylene glycol on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrate has been performed. The electrodeposition was carried out using a voltage of 5 volts for 120 seconds, with and without the addition of 2% wt ethylene glycol. Significant effects of temperature on the resulting the samples is observed when they are heated at 400 °C. Structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that all samples produce a layer of Fe_3O_4 with particle size less than 50 nanometers. The addition of ethylene glycol and the heating of the sample causes a shrinkage in particle size. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization shows that Fe_3O_4 layer resulting from the process of electrodeposition of Fe_2(SO_4)_3 without ethylene glycol, independent of whether the sample is heated or not, is uneven and buildup. Layer produced by the addition of ethylene glycol without heating produces spherical particles. On contrary, when the layer is heated the spherical particles transform to irregularly-shaped particles with smaller size.

  2. Mössbauer Studies of Core-Shell FeO/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kamzin, A. S.; Valiullin, A. A.; Khurshid, H.; Nemati, Z.; Srikanth, H.; Phan, M. H.

    2018-02-01

    FeO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal decomposition. Electron microscopy revealed that these nanoparticles were of the core-shell type and had a spherical shape with an average size of 20 nm. It was found that the obtained FeO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles had exchange coupling. The effect of anisotropy on the efficiency of heating (hyperthermic effect) of FeO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles by an external alternating magnetic field was examined. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of the studied nanoparticles was 135 W/g in the experiment with an external alternating magnetic field with a strength of 600 Oe and a frequency of 310 kHz. These data led to an important insight: the saturation magnetization is not the only factor governing the SAR, and the efficiency of heating of magnetic FeO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles may be increased by enhancing the effective anisotropy. Mössbauer spectroscopy of the phase composition of the synthesized nanoparticles clearly revealed the simultaneous presence of three phases: magnetite Fe3O4, maghemite γ-Fe2O3, and wustite FeO.

  3. Heterometallic [AgFe3S4] ferredoxin variants: synthesis, characterization, and the first crystal structure of an engineered heterometallic iron–sulfur protein

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Martic, Maja; Simon, Ida Noemi; Haahr, Lærke Tvedebrink

    2013-01-01

    of the [AgFe3S4] wild type and D14H variants convert to the [Fe3S4] ferredoxin form. The monovalent d 10 silver(I) ion stabilizes the [Fe3S4]+/0 cluster fragment, as opposed to divalent d 10 metal ions, resulting in more than 0.4 V difference in reduction potentials between the silver(I) and, e.g., zinc...

  4. Comportamiento eléctrico del compuesto Bi5FeTi3O15 y de sus soluciones sólidas con CaBi4Ti4O15

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Durán, P.

    1999-12-01

    Full Text Available Bi5FeTi3O15 (BiFT compound has been prepared by solid state reaction between the corresponding oxides. Its crystalline structure has been established by X ray Diffraction, (XRD. Ceramic samples with apparent density > 95% Dth have been sintered. On these samples, electrical conductivity and Curie temperature have been measured. Solid solutions of Bi5FeTi3O15 (BiFT and CaBi4Ti4O15 (CBiT have been prepared. On poled samples of these solid solutions, piezoelectric parameters have been established. The BiFT compound shows electrical conductivity values very similar to those of the Bi4Ti3O12 (BiT compound. The electrical conductivity of solid solutions is a function of CBiT amount. A possible electrical conductivity mechanism which is different of that accepted for the BiT compound is discussed.Se ha preparado Bi5FeTi3O15 (BiFT por reacción en estado sólido de los óxidos correspondientes. Se ha determinado su estructura cristalina por Difracción de Rayos X (DRX. Se han preparado compactos sinterizados con densidades superiores al 95%. Se ha determinado su temperatura de Curie, y la conductividad eléctrica entre 150 y 850ºC. Se han preparado soluciones sólidas de Bi5FeTi3O15 con CaBi4Ti4O15, (CBiT y se han determinado los mismos parámetros de temperatura de Curie y de conductividad para ellas. En las soluciones sólidas se han determinado los parámetros Piezoeléctricos de muestras polarizadas Debe destacarse que el compuesto Bi5FeTi3O15 presenta unos valores de conducción eléctrica más próximos a los correspondientes al Bi4Ti3O12 (BiT que a los de los compuestos MeBi4Ti4O15. La conductividad eléctrica de las soluciones sólidas varía con el contenido de CBiT. Se discute la posible existencia de un modelo de conducción eléctrica que difiere del aceptado hasta el momento para el BiT, basado en los defectos localizados en las capas Bi2O2 2-.

  5. Ligand field and intermolecular interactions tuning the magnetic properties of spin-crossover Fe(II) polymer with 4,4′-bipyridine

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Luo, Yang-Hui; Liu, Qing-Ling; Yang, Li-Jing; Ling, Yang; Wang, Wei; Sun, Bai-Wang, E-mail: chmsunbw@seu.edu.cn

    2015-02-15

    A new spin crossover coordination polymer (SCO-CPs) of Fe(II)-4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) family: (Fe(4,4′-bipy){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2})·(4,4′-bipy)· 8(H{sub 2}O)·2(ClO{sub 4}) (3), which displays half spin transitions between 100 and 300 K, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 3 featured with two-dimensional (2-D) grids connected by hydrogen bonds and π…π packing between one-dimensional (1-D) chains, the 2-D grids expand to three-dimensional (3-D) architecture supported by a “S-shaped holder” involving lattice 4-4′-bipy, water molecules and perchlorate anion. We compared 3 with the other two analogous complexes: ((Fe(4,4′-bipy) (H{sub 2}O){sub 2} (NCS){sub 2})·4,4′-bipy, 1 and (Fe(4,4′-bipy){sub 2}(NCS){sub 2})·mSolv, 2) through Hirshfeld surfaces analysis, which revealed that the low ligand field strength (NCS{sup −}) and lone-pair…H contacts contribute to the stabilization of HS (high-spin) state of the Fe(II) ion, while the high ligand field strength (4,4′-bipy) and strong intermolecular contacts (hydrogen bonds and π…π packing interactions) make for the LS (low-spin) state. - Highlights: ●A new member of Fe(||)-4,4′-bipy family has been prepared. ●It displays half spin transitions tuned by ligand field and intermolecular interactions. ●We have made a detailed comparison of this new member with two other analogous complexes.

  6. A new route for the synthesis of graphene oxide–Fe3O4 (GO–Fe3O4) nanocomposites and their Schottky diode applications

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Metin, Önder; Aydoğan, Şakir; Meral, Kadem

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Graphene Oxide (GO)–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites were prepared by a novel and facile method. • The successful assembly of Fe 3 O 4 NPs onto GO sheets was displayed by TEM. • The GO–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites/p-Si junction showed good rectifying property. -- Abstract: Addressed herein is a facile method for the preparation of magnetic graphene oxide–Fe 3 O 4 (GO–Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposites and the rectifying properties of (GO–Fe 3 O 4 )/p-Si junction in a Schottky diode. GO–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites were prepared by a novel method in which as-prepared GO sheets were decorated with the monodisperse Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) in dimethylformamide/chloroform mixture via a sonication process. The successful assembly of Fe 3 O 4 NPs onto GO sheets was displayed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Inductively couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis of the GO–Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite showed that the nanocomposite consists of 20.1 wt% Fe 3 O 4 NPs which provides a specific saturation magnetization (Ms) as 16 emu/g. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the (GO–Fe 3 O 4 )/p-Si junction in a Schottky diode were studied in the temperature range of 50–350 K in the steps of 25 K. It was determined that the barrier height and ideality factor of the Au/GO–Fe 3 O 4 /p-Si/Al Schottky diode were depended on temperature as the barrier height increased while the ideality factor decreased with increasing temperature. The experimental values of barrier height and ideality factor were varied from 0.12 eV and 11.24 at 50 K to 0.76 eV and 2.49 at 350 K, respectively. The Richardson plot exhibited non-linearity at low temperatures that was attributed to the barrier inhomogeneities prevailing at the GO–Fe 3 O 4 /p-Si junction

  7. Phase formation in the Li2MoO4–Rb2MoO4Fe2(MoO4)3 system and crystal structure of a novel triple molybdate LiRb2Fe(MoO4)3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Khal'baeva, Klara M.; Solodovnikov, Sergey F.; Khaikina, Elena G.; Kadyrova, Yuliya M.; Solodovnikova, Zoya A.; Basovich, Olga M.

    2013-01-01

    X-ray investigation of solid state interaction of the components in the Li 2 MoO 4 –Rb 2 MoO 4Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 system was carried out, and a subsolidus phase diagram of the said system was constructed. The subsystem Rb 2 MoO 4 –LiRbMoO 4 –RbFe(MoO 4 ) 2 was shown to be non-quasiternary. Formation of a novel triple molybdate LiRb 2 Fe(MoO 4 ) 3 was established, conditions of solid state synthesis and crystallization of the compound were found. Its crystal structure (orthorhombic, space group Pnma, Z=4, a=24.3956(6), b=5.8306(1), c=8.4368(2) Å) represents a new structure type and includes infinite two-row ribbons ([Fe(MoO 4 ) 3 ] 3− ) ∞ parallel to the b axis and composed of FeO 6 octahedra, terminal Mo(3)O 4 tetrahedra, and bridge Mo(1)O 4 and Mo(2)O 4 tetrahedra connecting two or three FeO 6 octahedra. The ribbons are connected to form 3D framework via corner-sharing LiO 4 tetrahedra. Rubidium cations are 11- and 13-coordinated and located in cavities of this heterogeneous polyhedral framework. - Graphical abstract: Exploring the Li 2 MoO 4 –Rb 2 MoO 4Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 system showed its partial non-quasiternarity and revealed a new compound LiRb 2 Fe(MoO 4 ) 3 which was structurally studied. - Highlights: • The Li 2 MoO 4 –Rb 2 MoO 4Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 system study revealed a new compound LiRb 2 Fe(MoO 4 ) 3 . • Its structure of a new type includes ribbons of FeO 6 octahedra and MoO 4 tetrahedra. • The ribbons are connected into a 3D framework via corner-sharing LiO 4 tetrahedra

  8. Polarized neutron reflectivity studies of magnetic oxidic Fe3O4/NiO and Fe3O4/CoO multilayers

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Ball, A.R.; Fredrikze, H.; Lind, D.M.; Wolf, R.M.; Bloemen, P.J.H.; Rekveldt, M.Th.; Zaag, van der P.J.

    1996-01-01

    The magnetic properties of [1 0 0] oriented Fe3O4/NiO and Fe3O4/CoO multilayers, MBE-grown on MgO(0 0 1) substrates, have been studied by polarized neutron reflectometry. In both samples, the Fe3O4 layer exhibits a depth-dependent magnetic profile characterized by a reduction in the magnetization

  9. Examination of the magnetic hyperthermia and other magnetic properties of CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 nanoparticles using external field Mössbauer spectroscopy

    Science.gov (United States)

    Park, Jeongho; Choi, Hyunkyung; Kim, Sam Jin; Kim, Chul Sung

    2018-05-01

    CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles were synthesized by high temperature thermal decomposition with seed-mediated growth. The crystal structure and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Mössbauer spectrometry. The magnetic hyperthermia properties were investigated using a MagneTherm device. Analysis of the XRD patterns showed that CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 had a cubic spinel crystal structure with space group Fd-3m and a lattice constant (a0) of 8.3686 Å. The size and morphology of the CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 nanoparticles were confirmed by HR-TEM. The VSM measurements showed that the saturation magnetization (MS) of CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 was 77.9 emu/g. The self-heating temperature of CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 was 37.8 °C at 112 kHz and 250 Oe. The CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles showed the largest saturation magnetization value, while their magnetic hyperthermia properties were between those of the CoFe2O4 and MgFe2O4 nanoparticles. In order to investigate the hyperfine interactions of CoFe2O4, MgFe2O4, and CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4, we performed Mössbauer spectrometry at various temperatures. In addition, Mössbauer spectrometry of CoFe2O4@MgFe2O4 was performed at 4.2 K with applied fields of 0-4.5 T, and the results were analyzed with sextets for the tetrahedral A-site and sextets for the octahedral B-site.

  10. Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory studies of (FeS)mH- (m = 2-4) cluster anions: effects of the single hydrogen.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yin, Shi; Bernstein, Elliot R

    2017-12-20

    Single hydrogen containing iron hydrosulfide cluster anions (FeS) m H - (m = 2-4) are studied by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) at 3.492 eV (355 nm) and 4.661 eV (266 nm) photon energies, and by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The structural properties, relative energies of different spin states and isomers, and the first calculated vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of different spin states for these (FeS) m H - (m = 2-4) cluster anions are investigated at various reasonable theory levels. Two types of structural isomers are found for these (FeS) m H - (m = 2-4) clusters: (1) the single hydrogen atom bonds to a sulfur site (SH-type); and (2) the single hydrogen atom bonds to an iron site (FeH-type). Experimental and theoretical results suggest such available different SH- and FeH-type structural isomers should be considered when evaluating the properties and behavior of these single hydrogen containing iron sulfide clusters in real chemical and biological systems. Compared to their related, respective pure iron sulfur (FeS) m - clusters, the first VDE trend of the diverse type (FeS) m H 0,1 - (m = 1-4) clusters can be understood through (1) the different electron distribution properties of their highest singly occupied molecular orbital employing natural bond orbital analysis (NBO/HSOMO), and (2) the partial charge distribution on the NBO/HSOMO localized sites of each cluster anion. Generally, the properties of the NBO/HSOMOs play the principal role with regard to the physical and chemical properties of all the anions. The change of cluster VDE from low to high is associated with the change in nature of their NBO/HSOMO from a dipole bound and valence electron mixed character, to a valence p orbital on S, to a valence d orbital on Fe, and to a valence p orbital on Fe or an Fe-Fe delocalized valence bonding orbital. For clusters having the same properties for NBO/HSOMOs, the partial charge distributions at the NBO/HSOMO localized sites additionally

  11. Crystal and magnetic structures of CaCu3Fe4O12 and LaCu3Fe4O12: distinct charge transitions of unusual high valence Fe

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shimakawa, Yuichi

    2015-01-01

    New 134-type perovskites, CaCu 3 Fe 4 O 12 (CCFO) and LaCu 3 Fe 4 O 12 (LCFO), were prepared by means of high-pressure synthesis. The compounds contain unusual high valence Fe 4+ in CCFO and Fe 3.75+ in LCFO at high temperatures. With decreasing temperature, the instabilities of the high valence states of Fe are relieved by distinct charge transitions, which are charge disproportionation (4Fe 4+   →  2Fe 3+   +  2Fe 5+ ) in CCFO and intermetallic charge transfer (3Cu 2+   +  4Fe 3.75+   →  3Cu 3+   +  4Fe 3+ ) in LCFO. Crystal structure analysis with synchrotron x-ray diffraction and magnetic structure analysis with neutron diffraction revealed the nature of the transitions. Although the two behaviors look completely different from each other in simple ionic models, they can both be explained by the localization of ligand holes, which are produced by the strong hybridization of low-lying Fe-d and oxygen p orbitals in the oxides. The ligand holes in the charge disproportionated CCFO are localized at the Fe–O sites alternately (4d 5 L  →  2d 5   +  2d 5 L 2 ) and the ligand holes in the charge transferred LCFO are localized at the Cu–O sites (3d 9   +  4d 5 L 0.75   →  3d 9 L  +  4d 5 ). (review)

  12. Interfaces exchange bias and magnetic properties of ordered CoFe_2O_4/Co_3O_4 nanocomposites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, B.B.; Xu, J.C.; Wang, P.F.; Han, Y.B.; Hong, B.; Jin, H.X.; Jin, D.F.; Peng, X.L.; Li, J.; Yang, Y.T.; Gong, J.; Ge, H.L.; Wang, X.Q.

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • CoFe_2O_4 nanoparticles were well-dispersed anchored in mesopores of Co_3O_4. • The magnetic behavior of nanocomposites changed greatly at low temperature. • CoFe_2O_4 nanoparticles reinforced the interfaces magnetic interaction of nanocomposites. • M increased with the doping of CoFe_2O_4 and the decreasing temperature. • Exchange bias effect was observed at 100 K and increased with the doping of CoFe_2O_4. - Abstract: Cobalt ferrites (CoFe_2O_4) nanoparticles were implanted into the ordered mesoporous cobaltosic oxide (Co_3O_4) nanowires to synthesize magnetic CoFe_2O_4/Co_3O_4 nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD), N_2 physical absorption–desorption, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the microstructure of mesoporous Co_3O_4 and CoFe_2O_4/Co_3O_4 nanocomposites. The percent of pore-volume of mesoporous Co_3O_4 nanowires was calculated to be about 41.99% and CoFe_2O_4 nanoparticles were revealed to exist in the mesopores of Co_3O_4_. The magnetic behavior of both samples were investigated with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Magnetization increased with the doping CoFe_2O_4 and decreasing temperature, while coercivity hardly changed. The exchange bias effect was obviously observed at 100 K and enhanced with the doping CoFe_2O_4. CoFe_2O_4 nanoparticles reinforced the interfaces magnetic interaction between antiferromagnetic Co_3O_4 and ferrimagnetic CoFe_2O_4.

  13. Supplemental Table S4.xls

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    143, AT3G05200.1, 8262, I, 0.6, 259312_at, ATL6 (Arabidopsis T?xicos en Levadura 6); protein binding / zinc ion binding. 144, LOC_Os08g37760.1, 8262, D, -1.07, Os.17554.1.S1_at, zinc finger, C3HC4 type family protein, expressed. 145, AT5G27420.1, 8262, D, -0.95, 246777_at, zinc finger (C3HC4-type RING finger) ...

  14. Study on adsorption of 99Tc on Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Dejun; Fan Xianhua; Zhang Yingjie; Yao Jun; Zhou Duo; Wang Yong

    2004-01-01

    The absorption behavior of 99 Tc on Fe, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders from aqueous 99 TcO 4 - solutions is studied by batch method in atmospheric conditions. After the adsorption reaches equilibrium, the valence state of 99 Tc in the aqueous solution is examined by extraction with tetraphenylarsonium chloride. The experimental results show that the adsorption ratio of 99 Tc on iron powders decreases with the increase of pH (in the range of 5-8) and of CO 3 2- concentration (in the range of 1 x 10 -8 -1 x 10 -2 mol/L). In opposite, the two factors have no significant influence on the absorption of 99 Tc on both Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders. The adsorption isotherms of 99 TcO 4 - on Fe, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders can be well described by the Freundlich's equation. The major valence state of 99 Tc is deduced to be Tc(IV) when iron powders is used as the absorbent. In the case of Fe 2 O 3 or Fe 3 O 4 as an absorbent, the 99 Tc remains as the TcO 4 - form

  15. Density functional theory study of lithium diffusion at the interface between olivine-type LiFePO4 and LiMnPO4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shi, Jianjian; Wang, Zhiguo; Qing Fu, Yong

    2016-12-01

    Coating LiMnPO4 with a thin layer of LiFePO4 shows a better electrochemical performance than the pure LiFePO4 and LiMnPO4, thus it is critical to understand Li diffusion at their interfaces to improve the performance of electrode materials. Li diffusion at the (1 0 0)\\text{LiFeP{{\\text{O}}4}} //(1 0 0)\\text{LiMnP{{\\text{O}}4}} , (0 1 0)\\text{LiFeP{{\\text{O}}4}} //(0 1 0)\\text{LiMnP{{\\text{O}}4}} , and (0 0 1)\\text{LiFeP{{\\text{O}}4}} //(0 0 1)\\text{LiMnP{{\\text{O}}4}} interfaces between LiFePO4 and LiMnPO4 was investigated using density functional theory. The calculated diffusion energy barriers are 0.55 eV for Li to diffuse along the (0 0 1) interface, 0.44 and 0.49 eV for the Li diffusion inside the LiMnPO4 and along the (1 0 0) interface, respectively. When Li diffuses from the LiFePO4 to LiMnPO4 by passing through the (0 1 0) interfaces, the diffusion barriers are 0.45 and 0.60 eV for the Li diffusions in both sides. The diffusion barriers for Li to diffuse in LiMnPO4 near the interfaces decrease compared with those in the pure LiMnPO4. The calculated diffusion coefficient of Li along the (1 0 0) interface is in the range of 3.65  ×  10-11-5.28  ×  10-12 cm2 s-1, which is larger than that in the pure LiMnPO4 with a value of 7.5  ×  10-14 cm2 s-1. Therefore, the charging/discharging rate performance of the LiMnPO4 can be improved by surface coating with the LiFePO4.

  16. Structural, optical and magnetic studies of CuFe2O4, MgFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared by hydrothermal/solvothermal method

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kurian, Jessyamma; Mathew, M. Jacob

    2018-04-01

    In this paper we report the structural, optical and magnetic studies of three spinel ferrites namely CuFe2O4, MgFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 prepared in an autoclave under the same physical conditions but with two different liquid medium and different surfactant. We use water as the medium and trisodium citrate as the surfactant for one method (Hydrothermal method) and ethylene glycol as the medium and poly ethylene glycol as the surfactant for the second method (solvothermal method). The phase identification and structural characterization are done using XRD and morphological studies are carried out by TEM. Cubical and porous spherical morphologies are obtained for hydrothermal and solvothermal process respectively without any impurity phase. The optical studies are carried out using FTIR and UV-Vis reflectance spectra. In order to elucidate the nonlinear optical behaviour of the prepared nanomaterial, open aperture z-scan technique is used. From the fitted z-scan curves nonlinear absorption coefficient and the saturation intensity are determined. The magnetic characterization of the samples is performed at room temperature using vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. The M-H curves obtained are fitted using theoretical equation and the different components of magnetization are determined. Nanoparticles with high saturation magnetization are obtained for MgFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 prepared under solvothermal reaction. The magnetic hyperfine parameters and the cation distribution of the prepared materials are determined using room temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy. The fitted spectra reveal the difference in the magnetic hyperfine parameters owing to the change in size and morphology.

  17. Ni doped Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Larumbe, S; Gómez-Polo, C; Pérez-Landazábal, J I; García-Prieto, A; Alonso, J; Fdez-Gubieda, M L; Cordero, D; Gómez, J

    2012-03-01

    In this work, the effect of nickel doping on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is analysed. Ni(x)Fe(3-x)O4 nanoparticles (x = 0, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.11) were obtained by chemical co-precipitation method, starting from a mixture of FeCl2 x 4H2O and Ni(AcO)2 x 4H2O salts. The analysis of the structure and composition of the synthesized nanoparticles confirms their nanometer size (main sizes around 10 nm) and the inclusion of the Ni atoms in the characteristic spinel structure of the magnetite Fe3O4 phase. In order to characterize in detail the structure of the samples, X-ray absorption (XANES) measurements were performed on the Ni and Fe K-edges. The results indicate the oxidation of the Ni atoms to the 2+ state and the location of the Ni2+ cations in the Fe2+ octahedral sites. With respect to the magnetic properties, the samples display the characteristic superparamagnetic behaviour, with anhysteretic magnetic response at room temperature. The estimated magnetic moment confirms the partial substitution of the Fe2+ cations by Ni2+ atoms in the octahedral sites of the spinel structure.

  18. Effect of Water Content on Properties of Homogeneous [bmim]Fe(IIICl4–H2O Mixtures and Their Application in Oxidative Absorption of H2S

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jianhong Wang

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available The potential of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate ([bmim]Fe(IIICl4 for replacing an iron(III chelate catalytic solution in the catalytic oxidation of H2S is attributed to its no side reaction and no degradation of the chelating agent. The catalytic oxidation product of water in non-aqueous [bmim]Fe(IIICl4 possibly has an influence on the oxidative absorption of H2S. Water and hydrophobic [bmim]Fe(IIICl4 mixtures at water volume percents from 40% to 70% formed separate phases after srirring, without affecting the oxidative absorption of hydrogen sulfide. Then, studies on the properties of homogeneous [bmim]Fe(IIICl4–H2O mixtures at water volume percents in the range of 5.88–30% and above 80% reveal that these mixtures are both Brønsted and Lewis acids at vol % (H2O ≤ 30%, and only Lewis acids at vol % (H2O ≥ 80%. Raman spectra showed that [bmim]Fe(IIICl4 was the dominating species at vol % (H2O ≤ 30%, in contrast, [bmim]Fe(IIICl4 decomposed into FeCl3·2H2O and [bmim]Cl at vol % (H2O ≥ 80%. Further research on oxidative absorption of H2S by homogeneous [bmim]Fe(IIICl4–H2O mixtures demonstrated that [bmim]Fe(IIICl4 was reduced by H2S to [bmim]Fe(IICl4H and FeCl3·2H2O was reduced to FeCl2, at the same time, H2S was oxidized to S8. In addition, the decrease in acidity caused by increasing the water content increased the weight percent of absorbed H2S, and decreased volatile HCl emissions. However, it is difficult to prevent the suspended S8 generated at vol % (H2O ≥ 80% from the formation of sulfur blockage. Therefore, oxidative absorption of H2S by [bmim]Fe(IIICl4–H2O mixtures is feasible at vol % (H2O < 80% without sulfur blockage.

  19. Magnetic Properties of Electrically Contacted Fe4 Molecular Magnets

    Science.gov (United States)

    Burgess, Jacob; Malavolti, Luigi; Lanzilotto, Valeria; Mannini, Matteo; Totti, Frederico; Ninova, Silviya; Yan, Shichao; Choi, Deung-Jang; Rolf-Pissarczyk, Steffen; Cornia, Andrea; Sessoli, Roberta; Loth, Sebastian

    2015-03-01

    Single molecule magnets (SMMs) are often large and fragile molecules. This poses challenges for the construction of SMM based spintronics. Device geometries with two electronic leads contacting a molecule may be explored via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The Fe4 molecule stands out as a robust, thermally evaporable SMM, making it ideal for such an experiment. Here we present the first STM investigations of individual Fe4 molecules thermally evaporated onto a monolayer of Cu2N on a Cu (100) crystal. Using inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS), spin excitations in single Fe4 molecules can be detected at meV energies. Analysis using a Spin Hamiltonian allows extraction of magnetic properties of individual Fe4 molecules, and investigation of the influence of the electronic leads. The tip and sample induce small changes in the magnetic properties of Fe4 molecules, making Fe4 a promising candidate for the development of spintronics devices based on SMMs.

  20. Lithium insertion into Fe 2(SO 4) 3 frameworks

    Science.gov (United States)

    Manthiram, A.; Goodenough, J. B.

    1989-05-01

    The two polymorphs of Fe 2(SO 4) 3 consist of framework structures built up of tetrahedra sharing corners with octahedra and vice versa. One is rhombohedral, the other is monoclinic. Two moles of lithium insert rapidly into both structures at room temperature. However, lithium insertion into the rhombohedral phase is topotactic without any change of symmetry of the framework, whereas the monoclinic modification is converted to an orthorombic Li 2Fe 2(SO 4) 3 phase via a displacement transition; the existence of a two-phase region between Fe 2(SO 4) 3 and Li 2Fe 2(SO 4) 3 results in a flat OCV of 3.6 V versus lithium, which is 600 mV higher than is found for Li xFFe 2(WO 4) 3 or Li xFe 2(MoO 4) 3. This difference is discussed in terms of the influence of the counter cation on the solid-state Fe {3+}/{2+} redox couple.

  1. Fabrication of Bi-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@RGO hybrids and their catalytic performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Xuefang; Xia, Fengling; Li, Xichuan; Xu, Xiaoyang; Wang, Huan; Yang, Nian; Gao, Jianping, E-mail: jianpinggaols@126.com [Tianjin University, School of Science (China)

    2015-11-15

    Nanocatalysts are frequently connected to magnetic nanoparticles. These composites are easy to be retrieved from the reaction system under a magnetic field because of their magnetic properties. Magnetic separation is particularly promising in industry since it can solve many issues present in filtration, centrifugation, or gravitation separation. Herein, a facile method to prepare bismuth and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles loaded on reduced graphene oxide magnetic hybrids (Bi-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@RGO) using soluble starch as a dispersant is demonstrated. The magnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ions, and Bi nanoparticles were fabricated by the redox reactions between sodium borohydride and ammonium bismuth citrate in the presence of soluble starch. Transmission electron microscopy images demonstrate that the average diameter of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles is about 5 nm and the diameters of Bi nanoparticles range from 10 to 20 nm. The magnetic Bi-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@RGO hybrids exhibit high catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH{sub 4} with a first-order rate constant (K) of 0.00808 s{sup −1} and is magnetically recyclable for at least five cycles. This strategy provides an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the use in environmental protection applications.

  2. LiFePO4 Nanostructures Fabricated from Iron(III) Phosphate (FePO4 x 2H2O) by Hydrothermal Method.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Saji, Viswanathan S; Song, Hyun-Kon

    2015-01-01

    Electrode materials having nanometer scale dimensions are expected to have property enhancements due to enhanced surface area and mass/charge transport kinetics. This is particularly relevant to intrinsically low electronically conductive materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), which is of recent research interest as a high performance intercalation electrode material for Li-ion batteries. Many of the reported works on LiFePO4 synthesis are unattractive either due to the high cost of raw materials or due to the complex synthesis technique. In this direction, synthesis of LiFePO4 directly from inexpensive FePO4 shows promise.The present study reports LiFePO4 nanostructures prepared from iron (III) phosphate (FePO4 x 2H2O) by precipitation-hydrothermal method. The sintered powder was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and Electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Two synthesis methods, viz. bulk synthesis and anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted synthesis are reported. By bulk synthesis, micro-sized particles having peculiar surface nanostructuring were formed at precipitation pH of 6.0 to 7.5 whereas typical nanosized LiFePO4 resulted at pH ≥ 8.0. An in-situ precipitation strategy inside the pores of AAO utilizing the spin coating was utilized for the AAO-template-assisted synthesis. The template with pores filled with the precipitate was subsequently subjected to hydrothermal process and high temperature sintering to fabricate compact rod-like structures.

  3. High Temperature Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Ti-4Al-4Fe-0.25Si Alloy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Won, Jong Woo; Lee, Yongmoon; Lee, Chong Soo [Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang (Korea, Republic of); Yeom, Jong-Taek [Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Gi Yeong [KPCM Incorporated, Gyeongsan (Korea, Republic of)

    2016-05-15

    Hot deformation behavior of Ti-4Al-4Fe-0.25Si alloy with martensite microstructure was investigated by compression tests at temperatures of 1023 – 1173 K (α+β phase region) and strain rates of 10{sup -3} – 1 s{sup -1}. By analyzing the deformation behavior, plastic deformation instability parameters including strain rate sensitivity, deformation temperature sensitivity, efficiency of power dissipation, and Ziegler’s instability were evaluated as a function of deformation temperature and strain rate, and they were further examined by drawing deformation processing maps. The microstructure evolution was also studied to determine the deformation conditions under which equiaxed α phase was formed in the microstructure without remnants or kinked α phase platelets and shear bands, these last two of which cause severe cracks during post-forming process. Based on the combined results of the processing maps and the microstructure analysis, the optimum α+β forging conditions for Ti-4Al-4Fe-0.25Si alloy were determined.

  4. Research Update: Retardation and acceleration of phase separation evaluated from observation of imbalance between structure and valence in LiFePO4/FePO4 electrode

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kazuya Tokuda

    2014-07-01

    Full Text Available LiFePO4 is a potential positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries. We have experimentally observed an imbalance between the valence change of Fe ions and the structure change from the LiFePO4 phase to the FePO4 phase during delithiation by simultaneous in situ XRD and XANES measurements in an LiFePO4/FePO4 electrode. The ratio of structure change to valence change clearly indicates that the phase separation from LiFePO4 to FePO4 is suppressed at the beginning of delithiation, while it is accelerated at the latter stage, which is due to the coherent strain caused by the lattice misfit between the two phases.

  5. Ab initio study of structural, electronic and optical properties of MnHg(SCN)4 and FeHg(SCN)4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    He, K.H.; Zheng, G.; Chen, G.; Lue, T.; Wan, M.; Ji, G.F.

    2007-01-01

    The structural, electronic and optical properties of MnHg(SCN) 4 and FeHg(SCN) 4 were studied by means of quantum-mechanical calculations based on the density-functional theory and pseudopotential method. The lattice constants can be compared with the experimental values when the effects of temperature are considered. The peaks of partial density of states of S, C, N and Hg of FeHg(SCN) 4 have a tendency of shifting to the higher energy levels relative to those of MnHg(SCN) 4 . The distributions of the 3d electronic states in the transition metal atoms show quite large difference and decide different optical properties. We found that absorptional peaks of FeHg(SCN) 4 lag behind those of MnHg(SCN) 4 and the peak in the infrared range has a higher absorptional intensity, which are in accord with the experimental results. By analyzing the distributions and transitions of the 3d electronic states, we explained the different absorption phenomena

  6. Fe65 is required for Tip60-directed histone H4 acetylation at DNA strand breaks

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stante, Maria; Minopoli, Giuseppina; Passaro, Fabiana; Raia, Maddalena; Vecchio, Luigi Del; Russo, Tommaso

    2009-01-01

    Fe65 is a binding partner of the Alzheimer's β-amyloid precursor protein APP. The possible involvement of this protein in the cellular response to DNA damage was suggested by the observation that Fe65 null mice are more sensitive to genotoxic stress than WT counterpart. Fe65 associated with chromatin under basal conditions and its involvement in DNA damage repair requires this association. A known partner of Fe65 is the histone acetyltransferase Tip60. Considering the crucial role of Tip60 in DNA repair, we explored the hypothesis that the phenotype of Fe65 null cells depended on its interaction with Tip60. We demonstrated that Fe65 knockdown impaired recruitment of Tip60-TRRAP complex to DNA double strand breaks and decreased histone H4 acetylation. Accordingly, the efficiency of DNA repair was decreased upon Fe65 suppression. To explore whether APP has a role in this mechanism, we analyzed a Fe65 mutant unable to bind to APP. This mutant failed to rescue the phenotypes of Fe65 null cells; furthermore, APP/APLP2 suppression results in the impairment of recruitment of Tip60-TRRAP complex to DNA double strand breaks, decreased histone H4 acetylation and repair efficiency. On these bases, we propose that Fe65 and its interaction with APP play an important role in the response to DNA damage by assisting the recruitment of Tip60-TRRAP to DNA damage sites. PMID:19282473

  7. ZnFe2O4 Containing Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Magnetic Properties

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zālīte Ilmārs

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available Solid solutions of Co1−xZnxFe2O4 and Ni1−xZnxFe2O4 (0 < x < 1 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel self-propagating combustion method. The obtained single cubic phase product has a specific surface area 25 m2∙g−1 to 33 m2∙g−1 and crystallite size 25 nm to 40 nm. Lattice parameters change linearly from 8.371 A (CoFe2O4 and 8.337 A (NiFe2O4 to 8.431 A (ZnFe2O4. The saturation magnetization (Ms changes non-linearly from 60.8 emu∙g−1 (CoFe2O4, respectively, from 35.6 emu∙g−1 (NiFe2O4 to 3.3 emu∙g−1 (ZnFe2O4 reaching maximal value 76.1 emu∙g−1 for Co0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 and 64.9 emu∙g−1 – for Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4.

  8. Decacarbonyl[μ4-(ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilotetrakis(methanethiolato]bis(triphenylphosphanetetrairon(2 Fe—Fe

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Wei-Ming Gao

    2012-02-01

    Full Text Available In the title compound, [Fe4(C6H12N2S4(C18H15P2(CO10], the unit cell contains one molecule, which exhibits a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry. The independent Fe2S2 fragment [Fe—Fe = 2.527 (1 Å] is in a butterfly conformation, and each Fe atom displays a pseudo-square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The phosphane group occupies an apical position [Fe—P = 2.2670 (14 Å]. In the crystal, weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along [110].

  9. LiFePO4 mesocrystals for lithium-ion batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Popovic, Jelena; Demir-Cakan, Rezan; Tornow, Julian; Morcrette, Mathieu; Su, Dang Sheng; Schlögl, Robert; Antonietti, Markus; Titirici, Maria-Magdalena

    2011-04-18

    Olivine LiFePO(4) is considered one of the most promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries. A simple one-step, template-free, low-temperature solvothermal method is developed for the synthesis of urchinlike hierarchical mesocrystals of pristine LiFePO(4) as well as carbon-coated LiFePO(4) composites. Each urchinlike mesocrystal consists of LiFePO(4) sheets self-assembled via a dipolar field in spheres during a solvothermal process under the influence of Cl(-) anions. The obtained primary sheets of LiFePO(4) are single crystalline in nature and can be coated in situ with an amorphous nitrogen-doped carbonaceous layer several nanometers in thickness. To increase the conductivity of the carbon coating, the materials are subjected to further temperature treatment (700 °C) under an inert atmosphere. The lithium storage performance of the pure LiFePO(4) is compared with that of its carbon-coated counterparts. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4/C composite using nano CoFe_2O_4 as precursor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wu, Kaipeng; Hu, Guorong; Du, Ke; Peng, Zhongdong; Cao, Yanbing

    2015-01-01

    LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4/C composite was synthesized by a solid state method with CoFe_2O_4 as the precursor and glucose as the carbon source. The composite consists of homogeneous Co–Fe distributed LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4 with its particles covered by nano-carbon layers, which could prevent the growth of the particles as well as form a fast path for electronic transmission during charging and discharging process. It shows excellent electrochemical performance as the cathode for lithium-ion batteries, which delivers discharge capacities of 154.6, 152.9, 135.4, 122.3, 105.2 and 91.3 mAh g"−"1 at 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 C, respectively, and retains 94.6% of its initial discharge capacity after 30 cycles at 5 C. - Highlights: • Nano CoFe_2O_4 was prepared by a co-precipitation method. • LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4/C composite was synthesized using nano CoFe_2O_4 as a precursor. • Homogeneous Co–Fe distributed LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4 is obtained. • LiCo_1_/_3Fe_2_/_3PO_4/C composite exhibits a quite good electrochemical performance.

  11. Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression in breast cancer: induction by nitric oxide and correlation with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yasuoka, Hironao; Tsujimoto, Masahiko; Yoshidome, Katsuhide; Nakahara, Masaaki; Kodama, Rieko; Sanke, Tokio; Nakamura, Yasushi

    2008-01-01

    Lymph nodes constitute the first site of metastasis for most malignancies, and the extent of lymph node involvement is a major criterion for evaluating patient prognosis. The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been shown to play an important role in lymph node metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) may also contribute to induction of metastatic ability in human cancers. CXCR4 expression was analyzed in primary human breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up. The relationship between nitrotyrosine levels (a biomarker for peroxynitrate formation from NO in vivo) and lymph node status, CXCR4 immunoreactivity, and other established clinico-pathological parameters, as well as prognosis, was analyzed. Nitrite/nitrate levels and CXCR4 expressions were assessed in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines after induction and/or inhibition of NO synthesis. CXCR4 staining was predominantly cytoplasmic; this was observed in 50%(56/113) of the tumors. Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was significantly correlated with nitrotyrosine levels and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was associated with reduced disease-free and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression emerged as a significant independent predictor for overall and disease-free survival. Cytoplasmic expression of functional CXCR4 in MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells was increased by treatment with the NO donor DETA NONOate. This increase was abolished by L-NAME, an inhibitor of NOS. Our data showed a role for NO in stimulating cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression in vitro. Formation of the biomarker nitrotyrosine was also correlated with CXCR4 expression and lymph node metastasis in vivo. In addition, cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression may serve as a significant prognostic factor for long-term survival in breast cancer

  12. Electric-field tunable perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in tetragonal Fe4N/BiFeO3 heterostructures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yin, Li; Wang, Xiaocha; Mi, Wenbo

    2017-07-01

    Electric field control on perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is indispensable for spintronic devices. Herewith, in tetragonal Fe4N/BiFeO3 heterostructures with the FeAFeB/Fe-O2 interface, PMA in each Fe4N layer, not merely interfacial layers, is modulated by the electric field, which is attributed to the broken spin screening of the electric field in highly spin-polarized Fe4N. Moreover, the periodical dx y+dy z+dz2 and dx y+dx2-y2 orbital-PMA oscillation enhances the interactions between adjacent FeAFeB and (FeB)2N atomic layers, which benefits the electric field modulation on PMA in the whole Fe4N atomic layers. The electric-field control on PMA in Fe4N/BiFeO3 heterostructures is favored by the electric-field-lifted potential in Fe4N.

  13. Structural Transformation of LiFePO4 during Ultrafast Delithiation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kuss, Christian; Trinh, Ngoc Duc; Andjelic, Stefan; Saulnier, Mathieu; Dufresne, Eric M; Liang, Guoxian; Schougaard, Steen B

    2017-12-21

    The prolific lithium battery electrode material lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ) stores and releases lithium ions by undergoing a crystallographic phase change. Nevertheless, it performs unexpectedly well at high rate and exhibits good cycling stability. We investigate here the ultrafast charging reaction to resolve the underlying mechanism while avoiding the limitations of prevailing electrochemical methods by using a gaseous oxidant to deintercalate lithium from the LiFePO 4 structure. Oxidizing LiFePO 4 with nitrogen dioxide gas reveals structural changes through in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electronic changes through in situ UV/vis reflectance spectroscopy. This study clearly shows that ultrahigh rates reaching 100% state of charge in 10 s does not lead to a particle-wide union of the olivine and heterosite structures. An extensive solid solution phase is therefore not a prerequisite for ultrafast charge/discharge.

  14. Acetylcholine-Binding Protein Engineered to Mimic the α44 Binding Pocket in α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Reveals Interface Specific Interactions Important for Binding and Activity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Shahsavar, Azadeh; Ahring, Philip K; Olsen, Jeppe A

    2015-01-01

    Neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are attractive drug targets for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and smoking cessation aids. Recently, a third agonist binding site between two α4 subunits in the (α4)(3)(β2)(2) receptor subpopulation was discovered. In particular, three......-yl)-1,4-diazepane], highlights the roles of the three residues in determining binding affinities and functional properties of ligands at the α44 interface. Confirmed by mutational studies, our structures suggest a unique ligand-specific role of residue H142 on the α4 subunit. In the cocrystal...... that could not be predicted based on wild-type Ls-AChBP structures in complex with the same agonists. The results show that an unprecedented correlation between binding in engineered AChBPs and functional receptors can be obtained and provide new opportunities for structure-based design of drugs targeting...

  15. Bi-functional properties of Fe3O4@YPO4:Eu hybrid nanoparticles: hyperthermia application.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Prasad, A I; Parchur, A K; Juluri, R R; Jadhav, N; Pandey, B N; Ningthoujam, R S; Vatsa, R K

    2013-04-14

    Magnetic nanoparticles based hyperthermia therapy is a possible low cost and effective technique for killing cancer tissues in the human body. Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@YPO4:5Eu hybrid magnetic nanoparticles are prepared by co-precipitation method and their average particle sizes are found to be ∼10 and 25 nm, respectively. The particles are spherical, non-agglomerated and highly dispersible in water. The crystallinity of as-prepared YPO4:5Eu sample is more than Fe3O4@YPO4:5Eu hybrid magnetic nanoparticles. The chemical bonds interaction between Fe3O4 and YPO4:5Eu is confirmed through FeO-P. The magnetization of hybrid nanocomposite shows magnetization Ms = 11.1 emu g(-1) with zero coercivity (measured at 2 × 10(-4) Oe) at room temperature indicating superparamagnetic behaviour. They attain hyperthermia temperature (~42 °C) under AC magnetic field showing characteristic induction heating of the prepared nanohybrid and they will be potential material for biological application. Samples produce the red emission peaks at 618 nm and 695 nm, which are in range of biological window. The quantum yield of YPO4:5Eu sample is found to be 12%. Eu(3+) present on surface and core could be distinguished from luminescence decay study. Very high specific absorption rate up to 100 W g(-1) could be achieved. The intracellular uptake of nanocomposites is found in mouse fibrosarcoma (Wehi 164) tumor cells by Prussian blue staining.

  16. Electron spin resonance of Fe4+ in amethyst quartz

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cox, R.T.

    1975-01-01

    The ESR spectrum of Fe 4+ was looked for in amethyst quartz. Besides saturated Fe 3+ lines, ESR lines of a new paramagnetic center whose spin-lattice relaxation time is relatively short were observed. They could be attributed to Fe 4+ [fr

  17. Role of the [2Fe-2S] cluster in recombinant Escherichia coli biotin synthase.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jameson, Guy N L; Cosper, Michele Mader; Hernández, Heather L; Johnson, Michael K; Huynh, Boi Hanh

    2004-02-24

    Biotin synthase (BioB) converts dethiobiotin into biotin by inserting a sulfur atom between C6 and C9 of dethiobiotin in an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent reaction. The as-purified recombinant BioB from Escherichia coli is a homodimeric molecule containing one [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster per monomer. It is inactive in vitro without the addition of exogenous Fe. Anaerobic reconstitution of the as-purified [2Fe-2S]-containing BioB with Fe(2+) and S(2)(-) produces a form of BioB that contains approximately one [2Fe-2S](2+) and one [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster per monomer ([2Fe-2S]/[4Fe-4S] BioB). In the absence of added Fe, the [2Fe-2S]/[4Fe-4S] BioB is active and can produce up to approximately 0.7 equiv of biotin per monomer. To better define the roles of the Fe-S clusters in the BioB reaction, Mössbauer and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy have been used to monitor the states of the Fe-S clusters during the conversion of dethiobiotin to biotin. The results show that the [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster is stable during the reaction and present in the SAM-bound form, supporting the current consensus that the functional role of the [4Fe-4S] cluster is to bind SAM and facilitate the reductive cleavage of SAM to generate the catalytically essential 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical. The results also demonstrate that approximately (2)/(3) of the [2Fe-2S] clusters are degraded by the end of the turnover experiment (24 h at 25 degrees C). A transient species with spectroscopic properties consistent with a [2Fe-2S](+) cluster is observed during turnover, suggesting that the degradation of the [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster is initiated by reduction of the cluster. This observed degradation of the [2Fe-2S] cluster during biotin formation is consistent with the proposed sacrificial S-donating function of the [2Fe-2S] cluster put forth by Jarrett and co-workers (Ugulava et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 8352-8358). Interestingly, degradation of the [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster was found not to parallel

  18. Electrospun ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-based nanofiber composites with enhanced supercapacitive properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Agyemang, Frank Ofori; Kim, Hern, E-mail: hernkim@mju.ac.kr

    2016-09-15

    Highlights: • Electrospun ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-based nanofibers were successfully fabricated. • The electrochemical properties of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were enhanced by addition of ZnO and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3.} • A specific capacitance of 590 F g{sup −1} was achieved from a CV curve at a scan rate of 5 mV s{sup −1.} • The electrode materials poses excellent cycling stability even after 3000 cycles. - Abstract: Herein, we are reporting a facile method to synthesis ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-based nanofibers (ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}, ZnO–ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) via the electrospinning technique using zinc acetonate and ferric acetonate as the metal oxide precursor and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as the polymer. The as-prepared electrospun nanofiber composites were calcined at 500 °C to obtain crystalline porous nanofibers. The effect of different compositions on the morphology of each sample as well as their electrochemical properties when employed as electrode materials was studied. The results show that the as-prepared electrodes exhibited excellent performance with their specific capacitances calculated from the CV curves as 590, 490 and 450 F g{sup −1} for Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}–ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}, ZnO–ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} respectively at a scan rate of 5 mV s{sup −1}. Excellent stability of the electrodes was also observed even after 3000 cycles. The results obtained suggest these electrode materials might be promising candidates for supercapacitor application.

  19. Microbial-Physical Synthesis of Fe and Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger YESM1 and Supercritical Condition of Ethanol

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mai Abdeen

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Magnetic Fe and Fe3O4 (magnetite nanoparticles are successfully synthesized using Aspergillus niger YESM 1 and supercritical condition of liquids. Aspergillus niger is used for decomposition of FeSO4 and FeCl3 to FeS and Fe2O3, respectively. The produced particles are exposed to supercritical condition of ethanol for 1 hour at 300°C and pressure of 850 psi. The phase structure and the morphology measurements yield pure iron and major Fe3O4 spherical nanoparticles with average size of 18 and 50 nm, respectively. The crystal size amounts to 9 nm for Fe and 8 nm for Fe3O4. The magnetic properties are measured to exhibit superparamagnetic- and ferromagnetic-like behaviors for Fe and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, respectively. The saturation magnetization amounts to 112 and 68 emu/g for Fe and Fe3O4, respectively. The obtained results open new route for using the biophysical method for large-scale production of highly magnetic nanoparticles to be used for biomedical applications.

  20. Microbial-Physical Synthesis of Fe and Fe_3O_4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger YESM1 and Supercritical Condition of Ethanol

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Abdeen, M.; Sabry, S.; Ghozlan, H.; El-Gendy, A. A.; Carpenter, E.E.; El-Gendy, A. A.

    2016-01-01

    Magnetic Fe and Fe_3O_4 (magnetite) nanoparticles are successfully synthesized using Aspergillus niger YESM 1 and supercritical condition of liquids. Aspergillus niger is used for decomposition of FeSO_4 and FeCl_3 to FeS and Fe_2O_3, respectively. The produced particles are exposed to supercritical condition of ethanol for 1 hour at 300 degree and pressure of 850 psi. The phase structure and the morphology measurements yield pure iron and major Fe_3O_4 spherical nanoparticles with average size of 18 and 50 nm, respectively. The crystal size amounts to 9 nm for Fe and 8 nm for Fe_3O_4. The magnetic properties are measured to exhibit superparamagnetic- and ferromagnetic-like behaviors for Fe and Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles, respectively. The saturation magnetization amounts to 112 and 68 emu/g for Fe and Fe_3O_4, respectively. The obtained results open new route for using the biophysical method for large-scale production of highly magnetic nanoparticles to be used for biomedical applications

  1. Local structure of vanadium in doped LiFePO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao, Ting; Xu, Wei; Ye, Qing; Cheng, Jie; Zhao, Haifeng; Chu, Wangsheng; Wu, Ziyu; Univ. of Science and Technology of China, Hefei; Xia, Dingguo

    2010-01-01

    LiFePO 4 composites with 5 at.% vanadium doping are prepared by solid state reactions. X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy is used as a novel technique to identify vanadium sites. Both experimental analyses and theoretical simulations show that vanadium does not enter into the LiFePO 4 crystal lattice. When the vanadium concentration is lower then 1 at.%, the dopant remains insoluble. Thus, a single-phase vanadium-doped LiFePO4 cannot be formed and the improved electrochemical properties of vanadium doped LiFePO 4 previously reported cannot be associated with crystal structure changes of the LiFePO 4 via vanadium doping. (orig.)

  2. Two-gap superconductivity with line nodes in CsCa2Fe4As4F2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kirschner, Franziska K. K.; Adroja, Devashibhai T.; Wang, Zhi-Cheng; Lang, Franz; Smidman, Michael; Baker, Peter J.; Cao, Guang-Han; Blundell, Stephen J.

    2018-02-01

    We report the results of a muon-spin rotation (μ SR ) experiment to determine the superconducting ground state of the iron-based superconductor CsCa2Fe4As4F2 with Tc≈28.3 K . This compound is related to the fully gapped superconductor CaCsFe4As4 , but here the Ca-containing spacer layer is replaced with one containing Ca2F2 . The temperature evolution of the penetration depth strongly suggests the presence of line nodes and is best modeled by a system consisting of both an s - and a d -wave gap. We also find a potentially magnetic phase which appears below ≈10 K but does not appear to compete with the superconductivity. This compound contains the largest alkali atom in this family of superconductors, and our results yield a value for the in-plane penetration depth of λa b(T =0 ) =244 (3 ) nm .

  3. Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) on the novel hetero-system CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CdS

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nasrallah, N.; Kebir, M. [Laboratory of Engineering Reaction, Faculty of Engineering Mechanic and Engineering Processus (USTHB), BP 32, Algiers (Algeria); Koudri, Z. [Laboratory of Storage and Valorization of Renewable Energies, Faculty of Chemistry (USTHB), BP 32, Algiers (Algeria); Trari, M., E-mail: solarchemistry@gmail.com [Laboratory of Storage and Valorization of Renewable Energies, Faculty of Chemistry (USTHB), BP 32, Algiers (Algeria)

    2011-01-30

    The photocatalytic HCrO{sub 4}{sup -} reduction was investigated in air equilibrated solution using the spinel CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles as sensitizers. The oxide is p-type semi conductor, prepared from nitrates decomposition. The catalytic performance increases with decreasing pH and the concomitant oxidation of salicylic acid contributes significantly to the photoactivity through the charges separation of electron/hole pairs (C{sub 7}H{sub 6}O{sub 3} + 6 O{sub 2} + 4 h{sup +} + 3 H{sub 2}O {yields} 7 CO{sub 2} + 4 H{sub 3}O{sup +}). Evidence has been given to show the advantages of the hetero-system CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CdS in the chromate reduction. CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} acts as electrons pump and the electron transfer to chromate is mediated via CdS hexagonal variety (greenockite). A reduction of 60% occurs and the process is well described by a pseudo first order kinetic with a half life of {approx}2.8 h and a quantum yield of {approx}0.12% for an initial HCrO{sub 4}{sup -} concentration of 3 x 10{sup -4} M. An improvement up to 72% is obtained when the reaction occurs in a stirred reactor and no cadmium was detected after 6 h illumination. The results indicate a competitive effect with the water reduction. The hydrogen evolutions are found to be 0.236 and 0.960 cm{sup 3} mn{sup -1} g{sup -1} in presence and in absence of HCrO{sub 4}{sup -}, respectively.

  4. Electronic structure of Ti4Fe2Ox as determined from first-principles APW + LO calculations and X-ray spectroscopy data

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lavrentyev, A.A.; Gabrelian, B.V.; Shkumat, P.N.; Nikiforov, I.Ya.; Zavaliy, I.Yu.; Sinelnichenko, A.K.; Izvekov, A.V.; Khyzhun, O.Yu.

    2010-01-01

    Electronic properties of Ti 4 Fe 2 O oxide, a very promising hydrogen-storage material, were studied both from theoretical and experimental points of view employing the first-principles band-structure augmented plane wave + local orbitals (APW + LO) method with the WIEN2k code as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (SXES). Total and partial densities of states of the constituent atoms of Ti 4 Fe 2 O have been derived from the APW + LO calculations. The XPS valence-band spectra as well as the SXES Ti Lα, Fe Lα and O Kα bands have been measured for a series of Ti 4 Fe 2 O x oxides (x = 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25). The present APW + LO calculations reveal that, the O 2p-like states are the dominant contributors into the bottom of the valence band, whilst the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band of Ti 4 Fe 2 O are dominated by contributions of the Fe 3d- and Ti 3d-like states. The APW + LO results are confirmed experimentally by a comparison on a common energy scale of the XPS valence-band spectra and the SXES Ti Lα, Fe Lα and O Kα bands of the Ti 4 Fe 2 O x oxides. The XPS Ti 2p, Fe 2p and O 1s core-level binding energies have been measured for the compounds under consideration.

  5. Pressure effect on magnetic and transport properties of FeCr{sub 2}S{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Xie, Y.M. [State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002 (China); Tong, R. [Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Yang, Z.R., E-mail: zryang@issp.ac.cn [Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)

    2016-10-15

    In this paper, the influence of chemical pressure caused by Se substituting and hydrostatic pressure on magnetic and transport properties of FeCr{sub 2}S{sub 4} have been investigated. In addition to a large irreversibility between zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization under low magnetic field, FeCr{sub 2}S{sub 4} polycrystalline sample also shows a cusp-like anomaly around 70 K and a step-like transition around 9 K. With increasing Se content, ferrimagnetic transition temperature decreases, irreversibility between ZFC and FC magnetization increases. At the same time, both the step-like transition and the cusp-like anomaly in magnetization shift to a lower temperature and disappears gradually. All the above effects caused by Se substituting are in accord with the effects caused by applying hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, we found magnetoresistance increases with increasing Se content, and attributed it to the stabilization of magnetic polarons. - Highlights: • Se doping makes the anomalies in magnetization shift toward lower temperatures. • Chemical pressure effects are in accord with hydrostatic pressure effects. • Magnetoresistance increases with increasing Se content.

  6. Fabrication of shape controlled Fe3O4 nanostructure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zheng, Y.Y.; Wang, X.B.; Shang, L.; Li, C.R.; Cui, C.; Dong, W.J.; Tang, W.H.; Chen, B.Y.

    2010-01-01

    Shape-controlled Fe 3 O 4 nanostructure has been successfully prepared using polyethylene glycol as template in a water system at room temperature. Different morphologies of Fe 3 O 4 nanostructures, including spherical, cubic, rod-like, and dendritic nanostructure, were obtained by carefully controlling the concentration of the Fe 3+ , Fe 2+ , and the molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol. Transmission Electron Microscope images, X-ray powder diffraction patterns and magnetic properties were used to characterize the final product. This easy procedure for Fe 3 O 4 nanostructure fabrication offers the possibility of a generalized approach to the production of single and complex nanocrystalline oxide with tunable morphology.

  7. Magnetic and catalytic properties of inverse spinel CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Anandan, S., E-mail: sanand@nitt.edu [Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy 620 015 (India); Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan (China); Selvamani, T.; Prasad, G. Guru [Nanomaterials and Solar Energy Conversion Lab, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Trichy 620 015 (India); Asiri, A.M. [The Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21413 (Saudi Arabia); Wu, J.J., E-mail: jjwu@fcu.edu.tw [Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan (China)

    2017-06-15

    Highlights: • Copper ferrite (CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) nanoparticles were synthesized via citrate-nitrate combustion method. • Spectroscopic information’s have found that CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles as an inverse spinel structure. • Magnetic study exhibits CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles have ferromagnetic behavior. • CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles employed for photocatalytic decolourisation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. - Abstract: In this research, inverse spinel copper ferrite nanoparticles (CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} NPs) were synthesized via citrate-nitrate combustion method. The crystal structure, particle size, morphology and magnetic studies were investigated using various instrumental tools to illustrate the formation of the inverse spinel structure. Mossbauer spectrometry identified Fe is located both in the tetrahedral and octahedral site in the ratio (40:60) and the observed magnetic parameters values such as saturation magnetization (M{sub s} = 20.62 emu g{sup −1}), remnant magnetization (M{sub r} = 11.66 emu g{sup −1}) and coercivity (H{sub c} = 63.1 mTesla) revealed that the synthesized CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} NPs have a typical ferromagnetic behaviour. Also tested CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles as a photocatalyst for the decolourisation of methylene blue (MB) in the presence of peroxydisulphate as the oxidant.

  8. Double Carbon Nano Coating of LiFePO4 Cathode Material for High Performance of Lithium Ion Batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ding, Yan-Hong; Huang, Guo-Long; Li, Huan-Huan; Xie, Hai-Ming; Sun, Hai-Zhu; Zhang, Jing-Ping

    2015-12-01

    Double carbon-coated LiFePO4 (D-LiFePO4/C) composite with sphere-like structure was synthesized through combination of co-precipitation and solid-state methods. Cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) and citric acid served as two kinds of carbon sources in sequence. SEM images demonstrated that double carbon coating had certain influence on the morphology. The thickness of carbon coating on D-LiFePO4/C was about 1.7 nm and the content of carbon was 2.48 wt%, according to HRTEM and TG analysis. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis indicated that the D-LiFePO4/C composite presented the charge-transfer resistance of 68 Ω and Li ion diffusion coefficient of 2.68 x 10(-13) cm2 S(-1), while the single carbon-coated LiFePO4 (S-LiFePO4/C) exhibited 135.5Ω and 4.03 x 10(-14) cm2 S(-1). Especially, the prepared D-LiFePO4/C electrode showed discharge capacities of 102.9 (10C) and 87.1 (20C) mA h g(-1), respectively, with almost no capacity lost after 400 cycles at 10C, which were much better than those of S-LiFePO4/C composite.

  9. Keratin 23, a novel DPC4/Smad4 target gene which binds 14-3-3ε

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liffers, Sven-T; Schwarte-Waldhoff, Irmgard; Meyer, Helmut E; Stühler, Kai; Hahn, Stephan A; Maghnouj, Abdelouahid; Munding, Johanna B; Jackstadt, René; Herbrand, Ulrike; Schulenborg, Thomas; Marcus, Katrin; Klein-Scory, Susanne; Schmiegel, Wolff

    2011-01-01

    Inactivating mutations of SMAD4 are frequent in metastatic colorectal carcinomas. In previous analyses, we were able to show that restoration of Smad4 expression in Smad4-deficient SW480 human colon carcinoma cells was adequate to suppress tumorigenicity and invasive potential, whereas in vitro cell growth was not affected. Using this cellular model system, we searched for new Smad4 targets comparing nuclear subproteomes derived from Smad4 re-expressing and Smad4 negative SW480 cells. High resolution two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis was applied to identify novel Smad4 targets in the nuclear subproteome of Smad4 re-expressing SW480 cells. The identified candidate protein Keratin 23 was further characterized by tandem affinity purification. Immunoprecipitation, subfractionation and immunolocalization studies in combination with RNAi were used to validate the Keratin 23-14-3-3ε interaction. We identified keratins 8 and 18, heat shock proteins 60 and 70, plectin 1, as well as 14-3-3ε and γ as novel proteins present in the KRT23-interacting complex. Co-immunoprecipitation and subfractionation analyses as well as immunolocalization studies in our Smad4-SW480 model cells provided further evidence that KRT23 associates with 14-3-3ε and that Smad4 dependent KRT23 up-regulation induces a shift of the 14-3-3ε protein from a nuclear to a cytoplasmic localization. Based on our findings we propose a new regulatory circuitry involving Smad4 dependent up-regulation of KRT23 (directly or indirectly) which in turn modulates the interaction between KRT23 and 14-3-3ε leading to a cytoplasmic sequestration of 14-3-3ε. This cytoplasmic KRT23-14-3-3 interaction may alter the functional status of the well described 14-3-3 scaffold protein, known to regulate key cellular processes, such as signal transduction, cell cycle control, and apoptosis and may thus be a previously unappreciated facet of the Smad4 tumor suppressive circuitry

  10. Fabrication of graphene oxide decorated with Fe3O4@SiO2 for immobilization of cellulase

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Yue; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Jiang, Xiao-Ping; Ye, Jing-Jing; Zhang, Ye-Wang; Zhang, Xiao-Yun

    2015-01-01

    Fe3O4@SiO2-graphene oxide (GO) composites were successfully fabricated by chemical binding of functional Fe3O4@SiO2 and GO and applied to immobilization of cellulase via covalent attachment. The prepared composites were further characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were monodisperse spheres with a mean diameter of 17 ± 0.2 nm. The thickness of SiO2 layer was calculated as being 6.5 ± 0.2 nm. The size of Fe3O4@SiO2 NPs was 24 ± 0.3 nm, similar to that of Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2. Fe3O4@SiO2-GO composites were synthesized by linking of Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2 NPs to GO with the catalysis of EDC and NHS. The prepared composites were used for immobilization of cellulase. A high immobilization yield and efficiency of above 90 % were obtained after the optimization. The half-life of immobilized cellulase (722 min) was 3.34-fold higher than that of free enzyme (216 min) at 50 °C. Compared with the free cellulase, the optimal temperature of the immobilized enzyme was not changed; but the optimal pH was shifted from 5.0 to 4.0, and the thermal stability was enhanced. The immobilized cellulase could be easily separated and reused under magnetic field. These results strongly indicate that the cellulase immobilized onto the Fe3O4@SiO2-GO composite has potential applications in the production of bioethanol.

  11. Fe(II) and Co (II) complexes of (4-(4-bromophenyl)-[2,2'-bipyridine]-6-carboxylic acid) synthesis, characterization and electrochromic studies

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saba, A.; Maqsood, Z.T.; Wasim, A.A.; Basha, F.Z.

    2017-01-01

    In this study novel complexes of substituted bipyridine (4-(4-bromophenyl)-[2,2'-bipyridine]-6-carboxylic acid) with Fe/sup +2/ and Co/sup +2/ were synthesized and characterized by different physical, analytical and spectral techniques which includes /sup 1/ H-NMR, MALDI-MS, FTIR, UV-VIS Spectrophotometry, CHN analysis and conductometry. Mole ratio method revealed that both complexes satisfied ML2 stoichiometry. Other characterization studies showed that substituted bipyridine acted as a tridentate ligand, with two pyridine N and one carboxylic O atom as binding sites per ligand molecule. The complexes were found octahedral, neutral and possessed fairly high molar absorptivities in visible region. Electrochromic studies revealed that Fe (II) complex had relatively good electrochromic properties with a reversible color change from blue to pale yellow. Co (II) complex, however, did not show significant electrochromic properties in the visible region. (author)

  12. APC/C-mediated degradation of dsRNA-binding protein 4 (DRB4 involved in RNA silencing.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Katia Marrocco

    Full Text Available Selective protein degradation via the ubiquitin-26S proteasome is a major mechanism underlying DNA replication and cell division in all Eukaryotes. In particular, the APC/C (Anaphase Promoting Complex or Cyclosome is a master ubiquitin protein ligase (E3 that targets regulatory proteins for degradation allowing sister chromatid separation and exit from mitosis. Interestingly, recent work also indicates that the APC/C remains active in differentiated animal and plant cells. However, its role in post-mitotic cells remains elusive and only a few substrates have been characterized.In order to identify novel APC/C substrates, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using as the bait Arabidopsis APC10/DOC1, one core subunit of the APC/C, which is required for substrate recruitment. This screen identified DRB4, a double-stranded RNA binding protein involved in the biogenesis of different classes of small RNA (sRNA. This protein interaction was further confirmed in vitro and in plant cells. Moreover, APC10 interacts with DRB4 through the second dsRNA binding motif (dsRBD2 of DRB4, which is also required for its homodimerization and binding to its Dicer partner DCL4. We further showed that DRB4 protein accumulates when the proteasome is inactivated and, most importantly, we found that DRB4 stability depends on APC/C activity. Hence, depletion of Arabidopsis APC/C activity by RNAi leads to a strong accumulation of endogenous DRB4, far beyond its normal level of accumulation. However, we could not detect any defects in sRNA production in lines where DRB4 was overexpressed.Our work identified a first plant substrate of the APC/C, which is not a regulator of the cell cycle. Though we cannot exclude that APC/C-dependent degradation of DRB4 has some regulatory roles under specific growth conditions, our work rather points to a housekeeping function of APC/C in maintaining precise cellular-protein concentrations and homeostasis of DRB4.

  13. Cysteine as a ligand platform in the biosynthesis of the FeFe hydrogenase H cluster.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Suess, Daniel L M; Bürstel, Ingmar; De La Paz, Liliana; Kuchenreuther, Jon M; Pham, Cindy C; Cramer, Stephen P; Swartz, James R; Britt, R David

    2015-09-15

    Hydrogenases catalyze the redox interconversion of protons and H2, an important reaction for a number of metabolic processes and for solar fuel production. In FeFe hydrogenases, catalysis occurs at the H cluster, a metallocofactor comprising a [4Fe-4S]H subcluster coupled to a [2Fe]H subcluster bound by CO, CN(-), and azadithiolate ligands. The [2Fe]H subcluster is assembled by the maturases HydE, HydF, and HydG. HydG is a member of the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine family of enzymes that transforms Fe and L-tyrosine into an [Fe(CO)2(CN)] synthon that is incorporated into the H cluster. Although it is thought that the site of synthon formation in HydG is the "dangler" Fe of a [5Fe] cluster, many mechanistic aspects of this chemistry remain unresolved including the full ligand set of the synthon, how the dangler Fe initially binds to HydG, and how the synthon is released at the end of the reaction. To address these questions, we herein show that L-cysteine (Cys) binds the auxiliary [4Fe-4S] cluster of HydG and further chelates the dangler Fe. We also demonstrate that a [4Fe-4S]aux[CN] species is generated during HydG catalysis, a process that entails the loss of Cys and the [Fe(CO)2(CN)] fragment; on this basis, we suggest that Cys likely completes the coordination sphere of the synthon. Thus, through spectroscopic analysis of HydG before and after the synthon is formed, we conclude that Cys serves as the ligand platform on which the synthon is built and plays a role in both Fe(2+) binding and synthon release.

  14. Study on Formation Mechanism of Fayalite (Fe2SiO4) by Solid State Reaction in Sintering Process

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Zhongbing; Peng, Bing; Zhang, Lifeng; Zhao, Zongwen; Liu, Degang; Peng, Ning; Wang, Dawei; He, Yinghe; Liang, Yanjie; Liu, Hui

    2018-04-01

    The sintering behaviors among SiO2, FeS and Fe3O4 were detected to reveal the formation mechanism of Fe2SiO4. The results indicated that the formation mechanism is divided into five steps: (1) migration of O2- induced by S2- under a reducing atmosphere; (2) formation of Fe3O4- β ; (3) migration of Fe(II) into a ferrite cluster structure to gain oxygen and form Fe3- x O4; (4) Fe(II) invaded the silicon atomic position and released Si(IV); and (5) formation of the stable structure of Fe2SiO4 through chemical diffusion between cations of Fe(II) and Si(IV). These findings can provide theoretical support for controlling the process of the recovery of valuable metals in copper slag through the combined roasting modification-magnetic separation process.

  15. Magnetic properties of CeyFe4-xNixSb12

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Viennois, R.; Ravot, D.; Tedenac, J.C.; Charar, S.; Mauger, Alain

    2005-01-01

    The structural and magnetic properties of the metallic skutterudite CeFe 4 Sb 12 have been investigated, with those of Ce y Fe 4-x Ni x Sb z with compositions approaching the relations y=(4-2x)/3, z=12 for which the materials are semiconductors. The large and temperature-dependent contribution of Fe to the magnetic susceptibility of CeFe 4 Sb 12 has been isolated from the Ce contribution, which makes possible a quantitative analysis of the Kondo lattice behavior. In CeFe 4 Sb 12 the Wilson-Sommerfeld ratio is modified by a factor two with respect to former analyses where the magnetic contribution of Fe had been neglected. The main effect of the reduction of the free carrier (hole) concentration in Ce y Fe 4 Sb 12 is to suppress the Kondo effect and the Fe contribution to the magnetic susceptibility. The samples with theoretical hole concentration per unit cell p*=z-8-3y-2x smaller than 0.5 behave like semiconductors in which the exchange between localized Ce 3+ spins is negligible, and are most promising for a potential use as thermoelements

  16. Organophosphonic acid as precursor to prepare LiFePO4/carbon nanocomposites for high-power lithium ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Ming; Shao, Leng-Leng; Yang, Hua-Bin; Zhao, Qian-Yong; Yuan, Zhong-Yong

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: LiFePO4/C nanocomposites were prepared by a quasi-sol–gel method with the use of organophosphonic acid, exhibiting improved electrochemical performance with excellent cycle stability. Display Omitted -- Highlights: •Amino tris(methylene phosphonic acid) is served as a novel precursor for LiFePO 4 /C. •Nano-sized and high-purity LiFePO 4 /C composites are obtained by a quasi-sol–gel route. •Core-shell structured LiFePO 4 /C nanocomposites are fabricated by further introducing sucrose. •Superior electrochemical performance is observed in the organophosphorus-synthesized LiFePO 4 /C. -- Abstract: Amino tris(methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP) is selected as phosphorus and carbon co-source for the synthesis of uniformly nano-sized LiFePO 4 /C by a quasi-sol–gel method. This strategy using ATMP instead of conventional NH 4 H 2 PO 4 supplies two advantages: firstly, ATMP in situ chelates Li + onto its framework and subsequently binds with FeC 2 O 4 in aqueous solution, forming a molecule-scale homogeneous precursor which can obviously improve the purity of LiFePO 4 . Secondly, the organic carbon contained in ATMP can form uniformly distributed conductive carbon networks among LiFePO 4 particles after calcination, which improves the electrical conductivity. The resultant LiFePO 4 /C with 1.1 wt.% carbon achieves a higher discharge capacity than those of LiFePO 4 and LiFePO 4 /C prepared with inorganic NH 4 H 2 PO 4 . Moreover, core-shell structured LiFePO 4 /C nanocomposites are also fabricated by further introducing sucrose into the synthesis system. The high-quality carbon shell effectively hinders the LiFePO 4 particle growth and aggregation under high-temperature treatment, which further enhances the electrical conductivity and lithium-ion diffusion, resulting in the improved electrochemical performance with excellent cycle stability (the optimum discharge capacity of 158.6 mAh g −1 at 0.1 C and 138.4 mAh g −1 at 2 C). The high

  17. Rapid extraction of uranium from sea water using Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and humic acid coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Singhal, Pallavi, E-mail: psinghal@barc.gov.in [Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094 (India); Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India); Jha, Sanjay K. [Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai 400094 (India); Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India); Pandey, Shailaja P. [Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India); Neogy, Suman [Mechanical Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India)

    2017-08-05

    Highlights: • Uranium extraction using Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and HA coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs has been demonstrated. • Result indicates uranium extraction from both water and sea water matrix. • With increase in HA coating uranium extraction increases. • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA 1 is the best material among synthesized one for uranium extraction. - Abstract: Uranium is one of the most toxic elements present in the environment and a number of methods have been developed for its extraction. Herein we have demonstrated a new method using magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) that can be used for uranium extraction from water and sea water matrix. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and humic acid (HA) coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs with different amount of HA coating were synthesized and uranium sorption from water and sea water matrix was demonstrated. It was observed that sorption increases with increase in amount of HA coating. NPs settlement in presence of magnetic field was monitored where only bare Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA 1 NPs settles while no settlement was observed for Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA 2 and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA 3 NPs. Considering both sorption and particle separation from the matrix Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/HA 1 NPs are the best among synthesized ones with maximum sorption capacity of 10.5 mg of U/g of NPs. The results presented here reveal the exceptional potential of magnetic NPs and functionalized magnetic NPs for environmental remediation of uranium and to extract uranium from sea water on which to the best of our knowledge no report is available till now.

  18. How oxygen attacks [FeFe] hydrogenases from photosynthetic organisms

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stripp, Sven T.; Goldet, Gabrielle; Brandmayr, Caterina; Sanganas, Oliver; Vincent, Kylie A.; Haumann, Michael; Armstrong, Fraser A.; Happe, Thomas

    2009-01-01

    Green algae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii synthesize an [FeFe] hydrogenase that is highly active in hydrogen evolution. However, the extreme sensitivity of [FeFe] hydrogenases to oxygen presents a major challenge for exploiting these organisms to achieve sustainable photosynthetic hydrogen production. In this study, the mechanism of oxygen inactivation of the [FeFe] hydrogenase CrHydA1 from C. reinhardtii has been investigated. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that reaction with oxygen results in destruction of the [4Fe-4S] domain of the active site H-cluster while leaving the di-iron domain (2FeH) essentially intact. By protein film electrochemistry we were able to determine the order of events leading up to this destruction. Carbon monoxide, a competitive inhibitor of CrHydA1 which binds to an Fe atom of the 2FeH domain and is otherwise not known to attack FeS clusters in proteins, reacts nearly two orders of magnitude faster than oxygen and protects the enzyme against oxygen damage. These results therefore show that destruction of the [4Fe-4S] cluster is initiated by binding and reduction of oxygen at the di-iron domain—a key step that is blocked by carbon monoxide. The relatively slow attack by oxygen compared to carbon monoxide suggests that a very high level of discrimination can be achieved by subtle factors such as electronic effects (specific orbital overlap requirements) and steric constraints at the active site. PMID:19805068

  19. Fe_3O_4/carbon nanocomposite: Investigation of capacitive & magnetic properties for supercapacitor applications

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sinan, Neriman; Unur, Ece

    2016-01-01

    Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles with ∼10 nm diameters were synthesized by an extremely low-cost, scalable and relatively biocompatible chemical co-precipitation method. Magnetic measurements revealed that Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles have bifunctional superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic character with saturation magnetization (M_s) values of 64 and 71 emu g"−"1 at 298 K and 10 K, respectively. Pseudocapacitive Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles were then integrated into hazelnut shells - an abundant agricultural biomass - by an energy efficient hydrothermal carbonization method. Presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) ceramic template or its precursor in the hydrothermal reactor allowed simultaneous introduction of pores into the composite structure. Hierarchically micro-mesoporous Fe_3O_4/C nanocomposite possesses a high specific surface area of 344 m"2 g"−"1. Electrochemical properties of Fe_3O_4/C nanocomposite were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements in a conventional three-electrode cell. The Fe_3O_4/C nanocomposite is able to operate in a large negative potential window in 1 M Na_2SO_4 aqueous electrolyte (−1.2–0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Synergistic effect of the Fe_3O_4 and carbon leads to enhanced specific capacitance, rate capability and cyclability making Fe_3O_4/C nanocomposite a very promising negative electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors. - Highlights: • Fe_3O_4 (magnetite) particles with ∼10 nm dia. were prepared by a facile chemical co-precipitation. • Fe_3O_4 nanospheres are superparamagnetic at 298K with high saturation magnetization of 64 emu g"−"1. • Porous Fe_3O_4/C nanocomposite was also prepared by a green HTC method combined with MgO templating. • Electrochemical properties of Fe_3O_4/C were studied in 1 M Na_2SO_4 (between −1.2 and 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). • Nanocomposite electrode showed high energy density of 27.2 Wh kg"−"1 at 1 A g"−"1.

  20. Synthesis and characterization of Cr doped CoFe2O4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Verma, Kavita; Patel, K. R.; Ram, Sahi; Barbar, S. K.

    2016-05-01

    Polycrystalline samples of pure and Cr-doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4 and CoCrFeO4) were prepared by solid state reaction route method. X-ray diffraction pattern infers that both the samples are in single phase with Fd3m space group. Slight reduction in the lattice parameter of CoCrFeO4 has been observed as compared to CoFe2O4. The dielectric dispersion has been explained on the basis of Fe2+ ↔ Fe3+ hopping mechanism. The polarizations at lower frequencies are mainly attributed to electronic exchange between Fe2+ ↔ Fe3+ ions on the octahedral site in the ferrite lattice. In the present system a part from n-type charge carrier (Fe3+/Fe2+), the presence of (Co3+/Co2+) ions give rise to p-type charge carrier. Therefore in addition to n-type charge carrier, the local displacement of p-type charge carrier in direction of external electric field also contributes to net polarization. However, the dielectric constant and loss tangent of CoCrFeO4 are found to be lower than CoFe2O4 and is attributed to the availability of ferrous ion. CoCrFeO4 have less amount of ferrous ion available for polarization as compared to that of CoFe2O4. The impedance spectra reveal a grain interior contribution to the conduction process.

  1. K4 Fe(CN)6 as a spectrophotometric agent for uranium analysis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Soedyartomo; Tarwita.

    1976-01-01

    The properties of K 4 Fe(CN) 6 as a spectrophotometric agent for Uranium analysis was observed by putting some experiment into practice. The experiment covers the observation of expanding colour stability, the optimization of operating condition (p,H. and wavelength), the effect of K 4 Fe(CN) 6 concentration and the preparation of its standard curves (transmitansion vs uranium concentration) and the observation of the interfering metal spectra s (Cu ++ , Fe ++ ) either of its mixtures or themselves alone, has been carried out. The result and discussion on it are given. (author)

  2. The poly(rC)-binding protein αCP2 is a noncanonical factor in X. laevis cytoplasmic polyadenylation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vishnu, Melanie R.; Sumaroka, Marina; Klein, Peter S.; Liebhaber, Stephen A.

    2011-01-01

    Post-transcriptional control of mRNA stability and translation is central to multiple developmental pathways. This control can be linked to cytoplasmic polyadenylation in certain settings. In maturing Xenopus oocytes, specific mRNAs are targeted for polyadenylation via recruitment of the Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element (CPE) binding protein (CPEB) to CPE(s) within the 3′ UTR. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is also critical to early embryonic events, although corresponding determinants are less defined. Here, we demonstrate that the Xenopus ortholog of the poly(rC) binding protein αCP2 can recruit cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase activity to mRNAs in Xenopus post-fertilization embryos, and that this recruitment relies on cis sequences recognized by αCP2. We find that the hα-globin 3′ UTR, a validated mammalian αCP2 target, constitutes an effective target for cytoplasmic polyadenylation in Xenopus embryos, but not during Xenopus oocyte maturation. We further demonstrate that the cytoplasmic polyadenylation activity is dependent on the action of the C-rich αCP-binding site in conjunction with the adjacent AAUAAA. Consistent with its ability to target mRNA for poly(A) addition, we find that XαCP2 associates with core components of the Xenopus cytoplasmic polyadenylation complex, including the cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase XGLD2. Furthermore, we observe that the C-rich αCP-binding site can robustly enhance the activity of a weak canonical oocyte maturation CPE in early embryos, possibly via a direct interaction between XαCP2 and CPEB1. These studies establish XαCP2 as a novel cytoplasmic polyadenylation trans factor, indicate that C-rich sequences can function as noncanonical cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, and expand our understanding of the complexities underlying cytoplasmic polyadenylation in specific developmental settings. PMID:21444632

  3. CMC-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as new MRI probes for hepatocellular carcinoma

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sitthichai, Sudarat; Pilapong, Chalermchai; Thongtem, Titipun; Thongtem, Somchai

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) are superparamagnetic. • CMC is water-soluble and nontoxic cellulose-derivative polymer. • CMC-coated Fe 3 O 4 NPs were successfully prepared by co-precipitation method. • The promising NPs that can be used for magnetic resonance imaging application. - Abstract: Pure Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were successfully prepared by co-precipitating of FeCl 2 ·4H 2 O and FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O in the solutions containing ammonia at 80 °C for 3 h. Phase, morphology, particle-sized distribution, surface chemistry, and weight loss were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In this research, CMC-coated Fe 3 O 4 MNPs consisting of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ ions with 543.3-mM −1 s −1 high relaxivity were detected and were able to be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application with very good contrast for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without any further vectorization.

  4. Characterization of magnetic nano particles of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method; Caracterizacion de nanoparticulas magneticas de CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} y CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} preparadas por el metodo de coprecipitacion quimica

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lopez, J.; Zambrano, G.; Gomez, M. E. [Universidad del Valle, Departamento de Fisica, Laboratorio de Peliculas Delgadas, Ciudad Universitaria Melendez, 25360 Cali (Colombia); Prieto, P. [Universidad del Valle, Centro de Excelencia en Nuevos Materiales, Ciudad Universitaria Melendez, 25360 Cali (Colombia); Espinoza B, F. J., E-mail: javierlo21@gmail.com [IPN, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad Queretaro, Libramiento Norponiente No. 2000, Fracc. Real de Juriquilla, 76230 Queretaro (Mexico)

    2012-07-01

    Magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were prepared by co-precipitation technique from aqueous salt solutions of Co (II), ZnSO{sub 4} and Fe (III), in an alkaline medium. CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} powder samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, showing the presence of the most intense peat at 2{theta} = 413928{sup o} (Co K{alpha}1) corresponding to the (311) crystallographic orientation of the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel phase. The mean size of the crystalline of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles determined from the full width at half maximum of the strongest reflection of the (311) peak by using the Scherrer approximation was calculated to be 11.4 and 7.0 ({+-} o.2) nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy studies permitted determining nanoparticle size of CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the formation of Fe-O bonds, allowing identifying the presence of ferrite spinel structure. Magnetic properties were investigated with the aid of a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature Herein, the sample showed superparamagnetic behavior, determined by the hysteresis loop finally, due to the hysteresis loop of the CoZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} is very small, our magnetic nanoparticles can be considered as a soft magnetic material. These magnetic nanoparticles have interesting technological applications in biomedicine given their biocompatibility, in nano technology, and in ferro fluid preparation. (Author)

  5. Syntheses and characterizations of LiFePO4 powders

    OpenAIRE

    Jugović, Dragana; Kuzmanović, Maja; Mitrić, Miodrag; Cvjetićanin, Nikola; Uskoković, Dragan

    2011-01-01

    The olivine type compositions LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn, Co) are among the most attractive materials for the positive electrode of lithium-ion battery. The benefits of using LiFePO4 are excellent cycle life, high structural stability, low cost and environmental friendliness. Here will be presented our efforts to obtain LiFePO4 powders through several synthesis methods. The differences in phase purity, microstructure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of synthesized powders were investigat...

  6. Preparation of CNC-dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their application in conductive paper.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Kai; Nasrallah, Joseph; Chen, Lihui; Huang, Liulian; Ni, Yonghao

    2015-08-01

    Well-dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a co-precipitation method in the presence of cellulose nano-crystals (CNC) as the template. The thus prepared Fe3O4 NPs were then used as a coating agent for the preparation of conductive paper. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed that the Fe3O4 NPs were immobilized on the CNC through interactions between the hydroxyl groups of CNC and Fe3O4. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images showed that the Fe3O4 NPs prepared in the presence of CNC can be dispersed in the CNC network, while the Fe3O4 NPs prepared in the absence of CNC tended to aggregate in aqueous solutions. The conductivity of the Fe3O4 NPs coated paper can reach to 0.0269 S/m at the coating amount of 14.75 g/m(2) Fe3O4/CNC nanocomposites. Therefore, the thus obtained coated paper can be potentially used as anti-static packaging material in the packaging field. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Marker-assisted identification of restorer gene(s) in iso-cytoplasmic restorer lines of WA cytoplasm in rice and assessment of their fertility restoration potential across environments.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kumar, Amit; Bhowmick, Prolay Kumar; Singh, Vikram Jeet; Malik, Manoj; Gupta, Ashish Kumar; Seth, R; Nagarajan, M; Krishnan, S Gopala; Singh, Ashok Kumar

    2017-10-01

    Iso-cytoplasmic restorers possess the same male sterile cytoplasm as the cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines, thereby minimizing the potential cyto-nuclear conflict in the hybrids. Restoration of fertility of the wild abortive CMS is governed by two major genes namely, Rf3 and Rf4 . Therefore, assessing the allelic status of these restorer genes in the iso-cytoplasmic restorers using molecular markers will not only help in estimating the efficiency of these genes either alone or in combination, in fertility restoration in the hybrids in different environments, but will also be useful in determining the efficacy of these markers. In the present study, the efficiency of molecular markers in identifying genotypes carrying restorer allele of the gene(s) Rf3 and Rf4, restoring male fertility of WA cytoplasm in rice was assessed in a set of 100 iso-cytoplasmic rice restorers using gene linked as well as candidate gene based markers. In order to validate the efficacy of markers in identifying the restorers, a sub-set of selected 25 iso-cytoplasmic rice restorers were crossed with four different cytoplasmic male sterile lines namely, IR 79156A, IR 58025A, Pusa 6A and RTN 12A, and the pollen and spikelet fertility of the F 1 s were evaluated at three different locations. Marker analysis showed that Rf4 was the predominant fertility restorer gene in the iso-cytoplasmic restorers and Rf3 had a synergistic effect on fertility restoration. The efficiency of gene based markers, DRCG-RF4-14 and DRRM-RF3-10 for Rf4 (87%) and Rf3 (84%) genes was higher than respective gene-linked SSR markers RM6100 (80%) and RM3873 (82%). It is concluded that the gene based markers can be effectively used in identifying fertility restorer lines obviating the need for making crosses and evaluating the F 1 s. Though gene based markers are more efficient, there is a need to identify functional polymorphisms which can provide 100% efficiency. Three iso-cytoplasmic restorers namely, PRR 300, PRR 363

  8. Magnetic SiO2/Fe3O4 colloidal crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Huang, C-K; Hou, C-H; Chen, C-C; Tsai, Y-L; Chang, L-M; Wei, H-S; Hsieh, K-H; Chan, C-H

    2008-01-01

    We proposed a novel technique to fabricate colloidal crystals by using monodisperse SiO 2 coated magnetic Fe 3 O 4 (SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 ) microspheres. The magnetic SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 microspheres with a diameter of 700 nm were synthesized in the basic condition with ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, tartaric acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the reaction system. Monodisperse SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 superparamagnetic microspheres have been successfully used to fabricate colloidal crystals under the existing magnetic field

  9. Sol–gel synthesis and electrochemical properties of 9LiFePO4·Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode material for lithium ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhong Shengkui; Wu Ling; Liu Jiequn

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Nano-sized 9LiFePO 4 ·Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C powders are prepared by a sol–gel method. ► Mutual doping in 9LiFePO 4 ·Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C can improve its electronic conductivity. ► The addition of Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 can improve the ionic diffusivity of LiFePO 4 . ► LiFePO 4 , Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 and LiFePO 4 –Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 unit cells coexist in the composite. - Abstract: 9LiFePO 4 ·Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C composite cathode material is prepared by a sol–gel method, using ferric citrate, V 2 O 5 , Li 2 CO 3 , NH 4 H 2 PO 4 and citric acid as raw materials. The composite material is composed of the olivine LiFePO 4 and monoclinic Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 phases. XRD results indicate that most of the iron and vanadium in the raw materials tend to form the LiFePO 4 and Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 phases, and only small amounts of Fe and V as the dopants enter into the lattice of Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 and LiFePO 4 , respectively. The electronic conductivity and Li + diffusion coefficient of 9LiFePO 4 ·Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C are 6.615 × 10 −3 S cm −1 and ∼10 −10 cm 2 s −1 , which are three orders of magnitude and one order of magnitude larger than those of the LiFePO 4 /C, respectively. The composite material shows a first discharge specific capacity of 131.3 mAh g −1 and capacity retention of 95.1% after 200 cycles at 10 C rate. Compared with the LiFePO 4 /C, its rate capability and cycle performance are both remarkably improved.

  10. Attenuation of cancer-initiating cells stemness properties by abrogating S100A4 calcium binding ability in head and neck cancers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cheng, Li-Hao; Hung, Kai-Feng; Huang, Tung-Fu; Hsieh, Hsin-Pei; Wang, Shu-Ying; Huang, Chih-Yang; Lo, Jeng-Fan

    2016-11-29

    S100A4 is a calcium-binding protein capable of promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Previously, we have demonstrated that S100A4 is required to sustain the head and neck cancer-initiating cells (HN-CICs) subpopulation. In this study, to further investigate the molecular mechanism, we established the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines stably expressing mutant S100A4 proteins with defective calcium-binding sites on either N-terminal (NM) or C-terminal (CM), or a deletion of the last 15 amino-acid residues (CD). We showed that the NM, CM and CD harboring sphere cells that were enriched with HN-CICs population exhibited impaired stemness and malignant properties in vitro, as well as reduced tumor growth ability in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that mutant S100A4 proteins decreased the promoter activity of Nanog, likely through inhibition of p53. Moreover, the biophysical analyses of purified recombinant mutant S100A4 proteins suggest that both NM and CM mutant S100A4 were very similar to the WT S100A4 with subtle difference on the secondary structure, and that the CD mutant protein displayed the unexpected monomeric form in the solution phase.Taken together, our results suggest that both the calcium-binding ability and the C-terminal region of S100A4 are important for HN-CICs to sustain its stemness property and malignancy, and that the mechanism could be mediated by repressing p53 and subsequently activating the Nanog expression.

  11. Fabrication of graphene oxide decorated with Fe3O4@SiO2 for immobilization of cellulase

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, Yue; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Jiang, Xiao-Ping; Ye, Jing-Jing; Zhang, Ye-Wang; Zhang, Xiao-Yun

    2015-01-01

    Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –graphene oxide (GO) composites were successfully fabricated by chemical binding of functional Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 and GO and applied to immobilization of cellulase via covalent attachment. The prepared composites were further characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (NPs) were monodisperse spheres with a mean diameter of 17 ± 0.2 nm. The thickness of SiO 2 layer was calculated as being 6.5 ± 0.2 nm. The size of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 NPs was 24 ± 0.3 nm, similar to that of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –NH 2 . Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –GO composites were synthesized by linking of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –NH 2 NPs to GO with the catalysis of EDC and NHS. The prepared composites were used for immobilization of cellulase. A high immobilization yield and efficiency of above 90 % were obtained after the optimization. The half-life of immobilized cellulase (722 min) was 3.34-fold higher than that of free enzyme (216 min) at 50 °C. Compared with the free cellulase, the optimal temperature of the immobilized enzyme was not changed; but the optimal pH was shifted from 5.0 to 4.0, and the thermal stability was enhanced. The immobilized cellulase could be easily separated and reused under magnetic field. These results strongly indicate that the cellulase immobilized onto the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –GO composite has potential applications in the production of bioethanol

  12. CMC-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as new MRI probes for hepatocellular carcinoma

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sitthichai, Sudarat; Pilapong, Chalermchai; Thongtem, Titipun; Thongtem, Somchai

    2015-11-01

    Pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were successfully prepared by co-precipitating of FeCl2·4H2O and FeCl3·6H2O in the solutions containing ammonia at 80 °C for 3 h. Phase, morphology, particle-sized distribution, surface chemistry, and weight loss were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In this research, CMC-coated Fe3O4 MNPs consisting of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions with 543.3-mM-1 s-1 high relaxivity were detected and were able to be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application with very good contrast for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without any further vectorization.

  13. Robust s± pairing in CaK (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 (x =0 and 0.05) from the response to electron irradiation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Teknowijoyo, S.; Cho, K.; Kończykowski, M.; Timmons, E. I.; Tanatar, M. A.; Meier, W. R.; Xu, M.; Bud'ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.; Prozorov, R.

    2018-04-01

    Controlled pointlike disorder introduced by 2.5-MeV electron irradiation was used to probe the superconducting state of single crystals of CaK (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 superconductor at x =0 and 0.05 doping levels. Both compositions show an increase of the residual resistivity and a decrease of the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, at the rate of d Tc/d ρ (Tc) ≈0.19 K/(μ Ω cm ) for x =0 and 0.38 K/(μ Ω cm ) for x =0.05 , respectively. In the Ni-doped compound (x =0.05 ), the coexisting spin-vortex crystal (SVC) magnetic phase is suppressed at the rate of d TN/d ρ (TN) ≈ 0.16 K/(μ Ω cm ). The low-temperature variation of London penetration depth is well approximated by the power-law function, Δ λ (T ) =A Tn , with n ≈2.5 for x =0 and n ≈1.9 for x =0.05 in the pristine state. Detailed analysis of λ (T ) and Tc evolution with disorder is consistent with two effective nodeless energy gaps in the density of states due to robust s± pairing. Overall the behavior of CaK (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 at x =0 is similar to a slightly overdoped Ba1 -yKyFe2As2 at y ≈ 0.5, and at x =0.05 to an underdoped composition at y ≈ 0.2.

  14. MWCNT-MnFe2O4 nanocomposite for efficient hyperthermia applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Seal, Papori; Hazarika, Monalisa; Paul, Nibedita; Borah, J. P.

    2018-04-01

    In this work we present synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanocomposite and its probable application in hyperthermia. MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method. X ray diffractogram (XRD) confirms the formation of cubic phase of MnFe2O4 with preferred crystallographic orientation along (311) plane. High resolution electron microscope (HRTEM) image of the composites confirms the presence of MnFe2O4 spherical nanoparticles on the surface of CNT which are bound strongly to the surface. MWCNT-MnFe2O4 nanocomposite were prepared after acid functionalization of MWCNT. Vibrational features of the synthesized samples were confirmed through Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR spectra of acid functionalized MWCNT shows a peak positioned at ˜1620cm-1 which corresponds to C=O functional group of carboxylic acid. Prepared MnFe2O4 nanoparticles and MWCNT-MnFe2O4 nanocomposites were subjected to hyperthermia studies.

  15. Electrophoretically-Deposited Nano-Fe3O4@carbon 3D Structure on Carbon Fiber as High-Performance Supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hajalilou, Abdollah; Etemadifar, Reza; Abbasi-Chianeh, Vahid; Abouzari-Lotf, Ebrahim

    2018-05-01

    Structural and electrochemical behaviors of electrophortically-deposited Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@C nanoparticles on carbon fiber (CF) were investigated. The nanoparticles were synthesized via a green-assisted hydrothermal route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, Fourier transform infrared and UV-visible spectroscopies as well as by a vibration sample magnetometer. Surprisingly, the saturation magnetization (M s) of the Fe3O4@C ( 26.99 emu/g) was about 20% higher than that of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. A rather rectangular CV curve for both the elecrophortically-deposited Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@C on CF indicated the double-layer supercapacitor behavior of the samples. The synergistic effects of double shells improved the electrochemical behavior of Fe3O4@CF. The Fe3O4@C@CF composite exhibited a higher specific capacitance of 412 F g-1 at scan rate of 0.05 V/s compared to the Fe3O4@CF with a value of 193 F g-1. The superb electrochemical properties of Fe3O4@C@CF confirm their potential for applications as supercapacitors in the energy storage field.

  16. Hydrothermal synthesis of LiFePO4 nanorods composed of ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    Administrator

    LiFePO4 nanorods composed of nanoparticles were synthesized from ... olivine structure; belongs to Pnma space group. ... LiFePO4 has one-dimensional (1D) channel along the ... phases of LiFePO4 ... Among the various synthesis techniques available, the .... Prosini P, Lisi M, Zane D and Pasquali M 2002 Solid State. Ion.

  17. Competing reactions of selected atmospheric gases on Fe3O4 nanoparticles surfaces.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Eltouny, N; Ariya, Parisa A

    2014-11-14

    Heterogeneous reactions on atmospheric aerosol surfaces are increasingly considered important in understanding aerosol-cloud nucleation and climate change. To understand potential reactions in polluted atmospheres, the co-adsorption of NO2 and toluene to magnetite (Fe3O4i.e. FeO·Fe2O3) nanoparticles at ambient conditions was investigated for the first time. The surface area, size distribution, and morphology of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized by BET method and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Adsorption isotherms, collected by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, showed that the presence of NO2 decreased the adsorption of toluene. The analyses of the surface chemical composition of Fe3O4 by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveal that, upon the addition of NO2, the surface is oxidized and a contribution at 532.5 ± 0.4 eV in the O1s spectrum appears, showing that NO2 likely competes with toluene by dissociating on Fe(2+) sites and forming NO3(-). Different competing effects were observed for oxidized Fe3O4; oxidation occurred when exposed solely to NO2, whereas, the mixture of toluene and NO2 resulted in a reduction of the surface i.e. increased Fe(2+)/Fe(3+). Analyses by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry further suggest toluene reacts with Fe(3+) sites forming oxygenated organics. Our results indicate that on reduced magnetite, NO2 is more reactive and competes with toluene; in contrast, on oxidized Fe3O4, toluene is more reactive. Because magnetite can assume a range of oxidation ratios in the environment, different competing interactions between pollutants like NO2 and toluene could influence atmospheric processes, namely, the formation of Fe(2+) and the formation of atmospheric oxidants.

  18. μ4-Orthothio­carbonato-tetra­kis­[tri­carbonyl­iron(I)](2 Fe—Fe)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shi, Yao-Cheng; Cheng, Huan-Ren; Yuan, Li-Min; Li, Qian-Kun

    2011-01-01

    The fused bis-butterfly-shaped title compound, [Fe4(CS4)(CO)12], possesses an orthothio­carbonate (CS4 4−) ligand that acts as a bridge between two Fe2(CO)6 units. A short intra­molecular S⋯S contact [2.6984 (8) and 2.6977 (8) Å] occurs in each S2Fe2(CO)6 fragment. PMID:22219779

  19. Shared CaM- and S100A1-binding epitopes in the distal TRPM4 N terminus

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Boušová, Kristýna; Heřman, P.; Večeř, J.; Bednárová, Lucie; Monincová, Lenka; Majer, Pavel; Vyklický, L.; Vondrášek, Jiří; Teisinger, J.

    2018-01-01

    Roč. 285, č. 3 (2018), s. 599-613 ISSN 1742-464X Institutional support: RVO:61388963 Keywords : calmodulin * fluorescence anisotropy * ligand-binding domains * S100A1 * TRPM4 channel Subject RIV: CE - Biochemistry OBOR OECD: Biochemistry and molecular biology Impact factor: 3.902, year: 2016

  20. Hierarchical Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MoS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} magnetic nanocomposites: Enhanced and stable photocatalytic performance for water purification under visible light irradiation

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Guo, Na [Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102 (China); Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039 (China); Li, Haiyan; Xu, Xingjian [Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102 (China); Yu, Hongwen, E-mail: yuhw@neigae.ac.cn [Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102 (China)

    2016-12-15

    Highlights: • The FM/A-6% possesses a large specific surface area: 76.56 m{sup 2}/g. • The FM/A-6% displays high photocatalytic stability. • The FM/A-6% can be collected easily from the water by magnetic field. - Abstract: Novel hierarchical Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MoS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} magnetic nanophotocatalyst with remarkable photocatalytic capability were prepared by simply depositing the Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} onto the surface of crumpled Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MoS{sub 2} nanosphere. The nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, BET, and UV–vis DRS. The outcome of the photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MoS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} with 6 wt% content of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} (FM/A-6%) showed the highest photocatalytic activity upon the degradation Congo red (CR) and Rhodamine B (RhB) under both visible light and simulated sunlight irradiation. In addition, FM/A-6% possessed larger specific surface area (76.56 m{sup 2}/g) and excellent optical property. The possible Z-scheme charge carriers transfer mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic properties of the FM/A-6% was also discussed. The Z-scheme charge carriers transfer mechanism established between MoS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} facilitate the charge separation efficiency. Moreover, FM/A-6% can be separated and collected easily by external magnetic field and maintain high activity after five times photoreaction cycles. Given the remarkable photocatalytic performance and high stability of FM/A-6% nanocomposite, it is looking forward to exhibit great potential for applications in water purification.

  1. Degradation Studies on LiFePO4 cathode

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Scipioni, Roberto; Jørgensen, Peter Stanley; Hjelm, Johan

    2015-01-01

    In this paper we examine a laboratory LiFePO4 (LFP) cathode and propose a simple model that predicts the electrode capacity as function of C-rate, number of cycles and calendar time. Microcracks were found in Li1-xFePO4 particles in a degraded LFP electrode and low-acceleration voltage (1 kV) FIB....../SEM analysis allowed us to obtain phase contrast between FePO4 and LiFePO4. The evolution of micro-cracks is expected to increase the concentration of LFP particles which are not electronically accessible and thus cause a loss in capacity....

  2. Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Property of Graphene with FeO4 Nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Cheng; Dai, Shenglong; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Zhao, Tianyu; Yan, Shaojiu; Zhao, Xiuying

    2016-02-01

    Nanomaterials consisting of various ratios of Fe3O4 and graphene (defined C-Fe3O4/GR) were pre- pared by an in situ coordination complex hydro-thermal synthesis method. The structure and morphology of the nanomaterials C-Fe3O4/GR obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles distributed on the surfaces of graphene, and had a spinel structure and a uniform chemical phase when the weight ratios of Fe3O4 to graphene oxide (GO) were 9:1 or 9:2. It was suggested that GO had been successfully reduced to graphene and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were chemically bonded to graphene. The SQUID vibrating sample magnetometer (SQUID-VSM) indicated that the maximum of the saturation magnetization was 83.6 emmicro g(-1) when the mass ratio of Fe3O4 to GO was 9:2. Electromagnetic wave absorption showed that the chemical compound of Fe3O4 and graphene had a better electromagnetic property than the mechanical blend of Fe3O4 and graphene (M-Fe3O4/GR). The C-Fe3O4/GR had a reflection loss larger than -10 dB in the frequency range 12.9-17.0 GHz for an absorber thickness of 3 mm, and a maximum reflection loss of -12.3 dB at 14.8 GHz and a maximum reflection loss of -31.2 dB at 10.5 GHz for an absorber thickness of 10 mm. Theoretical analysis showed that the electromagnetic wave absorption behavior obeyed the quarter-wave principles. These results showed that the C-Fe3O4/GR nanomaterials can meet the requirements for some engineering applications, showing great application potential in electromagnetic wave absorption.

  3. A = 4 0+ - 1+ binding-energy difference

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gibson, B.F.; Lehman, D.R.

    1982-01-01

    The A = 4 Λ-hypernuclei provide a rich source of information about the s-wave properties of the fundamental hyperon-nucleon (YN) force as well as offer a unique opportunity to investigate the complications that arise in calculations of the properties of bound systems in which one baryon (here the Λ) with a given isospin couples strongly to another (the Σ) with a different isospin. The Λ 4 H - Λ 4 He isodoublet ground-state energies are not consistent with a charge symmetry hypothesis for the YN interaction. The (spin-flip) excitation energies are quite sensitive to the ΛN - ΣN coupling of the YN interaction. In particular, when one represents the free YN interaction in terms of one-channel effective ΛN potentials, the resulting 0 + (ground) state and 1 + (excited) spin-flip state are inversely ordered in terms of binding energies, the 1 + state being more bound. It is the Σ suppression that results from the reduced strength of the ΛN - ΣN off-diagonal coupling potential when the trinucleon core is restricted to isospin-1/2 which we study here. We find this spin-isospin suppression of the Λ-Σ conversion, which is due to the composite nature of the nuclear cores of the Λ 4 H and Λ 4 He hypernuclei, to be a significant factor in understanding the 0 + - 1 + binding energy relationship

  4. Band structure analysis on olivine LiMPO4 and delithiated MPO4 (M = Fe, Mn) cathode materials

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yi, Ting-Feng; Fang, Zi-Kui; Xie, Ying; Zhu, Yan-Rong; Dai, Changsong

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • The conductivity of Li x MPO 4 were discussed relying on first principles technique. • Relationship between structure properties and microscopic bonding was addressed. • A mechanism responsible for the structural instability of MnPO 4 was proposed. - Abstract: Olivine compounds, i.e. Li x MPO 4 (M = Fe, Mn), are now regarded as the most competitive positive-electrode materials for future applications of large-scale rechargeable lithium batteries. There are significant interests in their electronic structures, because the microscopic information is very important for elucidating the structural stability, electrochemical performance, and electronic conductivity issues of batteries for high-rate applications. The structure stabilities of LiMPO 4 and MPO 4 (M = Fe, Mn) cathode materials are analyzed according to first principles calculations. The result shows that LiMPO 4 (M = Fe, Mn) materials exhibit good structure stability, which is mainly contributed to the extremely strong P-O covalent bonds. Furthermore, the introduction of P ions is also helpful for the chemical potential decrease of the materials. The band structure analysis reveals that the electronic conductance of LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , and FePO 4 is poor, while MnPO 4 possesses half metallic property. According to the electron distribution, it can be confirmed that Mn-O(II) bonds are weakened after Li + extractions, which is different from the variation trend of Fe-O(II) bonds. The decrease of Mn-O(II) bond strength is thus favorable for the phase transformation observed in experiments

  5. Emergence of Metallic Properties at LiFePO4 Surfaces and LiFePO4/Li2S Interfaces: An Ab Initio Study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Timoshevskii, Vladimir; Feng, Zimin; Bevan, Kirk H; Zaghib, Karim

    2015-08-26

    The atomic and electronic structures of the LiFePO4 (LFP) surface, both bare and reconstructed upon possible oxygenation, are theoretically studied by ab initio methods. On the basis of total energy calculations, the atomic structure of the oxygenated surface is proposed, and the effect of surface reconstruction on the electronic properties of the surface is clarified. While bare LFP(010) surface is insulating, adsorption of oxygen leads to the emergence of semimetallic behavior by inducing the conducting states in the band gap of the system. The physical origin of these conducting states is investigated. We further demonstrate that deposition of Li2S layers on top of oxygenated LFP(010) surface leads to the formation of additional conducting hole states in the first layer of Li2S surface because of the charge transfer from sulfur p-states to the gap states of LFP surface. This demonstrates that oxygenated LFP surface not only provides conducting layers itself, but also induces conducting channels in the top layer of Li2S. These results help to achieve further understanding of potential role of LFP particles in improving the performance of Li-S batteries through emergent interface conductivity.

  6. Spin-glass behavior in single crystals of hetero-metallic magnetic warwickites MgFeBO{sub 4,} Mg{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}FeBO{sub 4,} and CoFeBO{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Arauzo, A., E-mail: aarauzo@unizar.es [Servicio de Medidas Físicas, Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain); Kazak, N.V. [L.V. Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Ivanova, N.B. [Siberian Federal University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Platunov, M.S. [L.V. Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Knyazev, Yu.V. [Siberian Federal University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Bayukov, O.A.; Bezmaternykh, L.N. [L.V. Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Lyubutin, I.S.; Frolov, K.V. [Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, RAS, 119333 Moscow (Russian Federation); Ovchinnikov, S.G. [L.V. Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Siberian Federal University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Siberian State Aerospace University, 660014 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Bartolomé, J. [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza and Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain)

    2015-10-15

    Magnetic properties of heterometallic warwickites MgFeBO{sub 4,} Mg{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}FeBO{sub 4,} and CoFeBO{sub 4} are presented, highlighting the effect of Co substitution on the magnetic properties of these compounds. The analysis of magnetization and heat capacity data has shown that these compounds exhibit a spin-glass transition below T{sub SG}=10, 20 and 22 K, respectively. Using zero field ac susceptibility as entanglement witness we find that the low dimensional magnetic behavior above T{sub SG} show quantum entanglement behavior χ(Τ)∝T{sup −α(Τ)} up to T{sub E}≈130 K. The α parameters have been deduced as a function of temperature and Co content, indicating the existence of random singlet phase in this temperature region. Above T{sub E} the paramagnetism is interpreted in terms of non-entangled spins giving rise to Curie–Weiss paramagnetism. The different intra- and inter-ribbon exchange interaction pathways have been calculated within a simple indirect coupling model. It is determined that the triangular motifs in the warwickite structure, together with the competing interactions, induce frustration. The spin-glass character is explained in terms of the substitutional disorder of the Mg, Fe and Co atoms at the two available crystallographic sites, and the frustration induced by the competing interactions. The Co substitution induces uniaxial anisotropy, increases the absolute magnetization and increases the spin-glass freezing temperature. The entanglement behavior is supported in the intermediate phase irrespective of the introduction of anisotropy by the Co substitution. - Highlights: • Spin-glass transition of MgFeBO{sub 4,} Mg{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}FeBO{sub 4,} and CoFeBO{sub 4}. • Anisotropy and transition temperature T{sub SG} increases with Co substitution. • Dynamical scaling theory near T{sub SG} is fulfilled. • Quantum entanglement is observed in between T{sub SG} and T{sub E}=130 K. • Low dimensional random singlet phase

  7. The HTLV-1 Tax protein binding domain of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4 includes the regulatory PSTAIRE helix

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Grassmann Ralph

    2005-09-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background The Tax oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1 is leukemogenic in transgenic mice and induces permanent T-cell growth in vitro. It is found in active CDK holoenzyme complexes from adult T-cell leukemia-derived cultures and stimulates the G1- to-S phase transition by activating the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK CDK4. The Tax protein directly and specifically interacts with CDK4 and cyclin D2 and binding is required for enhanced CDK4 kinase activity. The protein-protein contact between Tax and the components of the cyclin D/CDK complexes increases the association of CDK4 and its positive regulatory subunit cyclin D and renders the complex resistant to p21CIP inhibition. Tax mutants affecting the N-terminus cannot bind cyclin D and CDK4. Results To analyze, whether the N-terminus of Tax is capable of CDK4-binding, in vitro binding -, pull down -, and mammalian two-hybrid analyses were performed. These experiments revealed that a segment of 40 amino acids is sufficient to interact with CDK4 and cyclin D2. To define a Tax-binding domain and analyze how Tax influences the kinase activity, a series of CDK4 deletion mutants was tested. Different assays revealed two regions which upon deletion consistently result in reduced binding activity. These were isolated and subjected to mammalian two-hybrid analysis to test their potential to interact with the Tax N-terminus. These experiments concurrently revealed binding at the N- and C-terminus of CDK4. The N-terminal segment contains the PSTAIRE helix, which is known to control the access of substrate to the active cleft of CDK4 and thus the kinase activity. Conclusion Since the N- and C-terminus of CDK4 are neighboring in the predicted three-dimensional protein structure, it is conceivable that they comprise a single binding domain, which interacts with the Tax N-terminus.

  8. Exchange coupling behavior in bimagnetic CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanocomposite

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Leite, G.C.P. [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 78060-900 Cuiaba-MT (Brazil); Chagas, E.F., E-mail: efchagas@fisica.ufmt.br [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 78060-900 Cuiaba-MT (Brazil); Pereira, R.; Prado, R.J. [Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 78060-900 Cuiaba-MT (Brazil); Terezo, A.J. [Departamento de Quimica, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, 78060-900 Cuiaba-MT (Brazil); Alzamora, M.; Baggio-Saitovitch, E. [Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas, Rua Xavier Sigaud 150 Urca, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

    2012-09-15

    In this work we report a study of the magnetic behavior of ferrimagnetic oxide CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and ferrimagnetic oxide/ferromagnetic metal CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanocomposite. The latter compound is a good system to study hard ferrimagnet/soft ferromagnet exchange coupled. Two steps were followed to synthesize the bimagnetic CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanocomposite: (i) first, preparation of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles using a simple hydrothermal method, and (ii) second, reduction reaction of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles using activated charcoal in inert atmosphere and high temperature. The phase structures, particle sizes, morphology, and magnetic properties of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were investigated by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer spectroscopy (MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) with applied field up to 3.0 kOe at room temperature and 50 K. The mean diameter of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles is about 16 nm. Mossbauer spectra revealed two sites for Fe{sup 3+}. One site is related to Fe in an octahedral coordination and the other one to the Fe{sup 3+} in a tetrahedral coordination, as expected for a spinel crystal structure of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. TEM measurements of nanocomposite showed the formation of a thin shell of CoFe{sub 2} on the cobalt ferrite and indicate that the nanoparticles increase to about 100 nm. The magnetization of the nanocomposite showed a hysteresis loop that is characteristic of exchange coupled systems. A maximum energy product (BH){sub max} of 1.22 MGOe was achieved at room temperature for CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanocomposites, which is about 115% higher than the value obtained for CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} precursor. The exchange coupling interaction and the enhancement of product (BH){sub max} in nanocomposite CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} are discussed. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanocomposite

  9. Synthesis and magnetic properties of hard magnetic (CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4})-soft magnetic (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) nano-composite ceramics by SPS technology

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fei Chunlong [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); Zhang Yue [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Yang Zhi; Liu Yong [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); Xiong Rui, E-mail: wudawujiron@163.co [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China) and Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Shi Jing [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); International Center for Materials Physics, Shen Yang 110015 (China); Ruan Xuefeng [Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China)

    2011-07-15

    CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nano-composite ceramics were synthesized by Spark Plasma Sintering. The X-ray diffraction patterns show that all samples are composed of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} phases when the sintering temperature is below 900 {sup o}C. It is found that the magnetic properties strongly depend on the sintering temperature. The two-step hysteresis loops for samples sintered below 500 {sup o}C are observed, but when sintering temperature reaches 500 {sup o}C, the step disappears, which indicates that the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} are well exchange coupled. As the sintering temperature increases from 500 to 800 {sup o}C, the results of X-ray diffractometer indicate the constriction of crystalline regions due to the ion diffusion at the interfaces of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} phases, which have great impact on the magnetic properties. - Research highlights: In this work, a series of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nano-composite ceramics were prepared through SPS. The magnetic properties of these ceramics have been studied in detail. It is found that the magnetic properties strongly depend on the sintering temperature.

  10. Facile synthesis and high activity of novel BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalyst for degradation of metronidazole

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Jinhai [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023 (China); School of Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University of Engineering Science, Bijie 551700 (China); Zhao, Wei; Guo, Yang; Wei, Zhongbo; Han, Mengshu [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023 (China); He, Huan [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023 (China); School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60631 (United States); Yang, Shaogui [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023 (China); Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (United States); Sun, Cheng, E-mail: envidean@nju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023 (China)

    2015-10-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} was synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. • BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} displays superior photocatalytic activity. • The photocatalytic mechanism were discussed in detail. - Abstract: The novel BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method firstly. The physical and chemical properties of as-prepared samples were characterized based upon XRD, XPS, BET, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV–vis DRS and fluorescence spectrum techniques. The TEM images showed a clear interface between BiVO{sub 4} and FeVO{sub 4}, indicating that a heterojunction between BiVO{sub 4} and FeVO{sub 4} was formed during the hydrothermal reaction. In addition, the photodegradation activity of metronidazole (MNZ) was used as a measurement for photocatalytic performance of BiVO{sub 4}, FeVO{sub 4} and BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalyst. It indicated that under visible light irradiation the photocatalytic activity of BiVO{sub 4}/FeVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalyst was very effective, and moreover, much higher than the single BiVO{sub 4} or single FeVO{sub 4}. The possible photocatalytic mechanism has been discussed on the basis of the theoretical calculation of the electronic structure, and the experimental results.

  11. LiFePO4/C nanocomposites for lithium-ion batteries

    Science.gov (United States)

    Eftekhari, Ali

    2017-03-01

    LiFePO4, as the most famous member of the family of olivine-type lithium transition metal phosphates, is one of the promising candidates for the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries. However, its battery performance is limited by its low electrical conductivity and slow Li solid-state diffusion. Various methods have been attempted to improve the battery performance of lithium iron phosphate. Among them, compositing the LiFePO4 with carbon nanomaterials seems to be the most promising, as it is facile and efficient. Carbon nanomaterials usually serve as a conductive agent to improve the electrical conductivity while increasing the material porosity in which the solid-state diffusion distances are significantly shortened. Owing to the popularity of various carbonaceous nanomaterials, there is no straightforward line of research for comparing the LiFePO4/C nanocomposites. This review aims to provide a general perspective based on the research achievements reported in the literature. While surveying the research findings reported in the literature, controversial issues are also discussed. The possible contribution of pseudocapacitance as a result of functionalized carbon or LiFePO4 lattice defects is described, since from a practical perspective, a LiFePO4/C electrode can be considered as a supercapacitor at high C rates (with a specific capacitance as large as 200 F g-1). The Li diffusion in LiFePO4 has not been well understood yet; while the Li diffusion within the LiFePO4 lattice seems to be quite fast, the peculiar interfacial electrochemistry of LiFePO4 slows down the diffusion within the entire electrode by a few orders of magnitude.

  12. Unlocking the energy capabilities of micron-sized LiFePO4.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Guo, Limin; Zhang, Yelong; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Lipo; Ma, Shunchao; Zhang, Yantao; Wang, Erkang; Bi, Yujing; Wang, Deyu; McKee, William C; Xu, Ye; Chen, Jitao; Zhang, Qinghua; Nan, Cewen; Gu, Lin; Bruce, Peter G; Peng, Zhangquan

    2015-08-03

    Utilization of LiFePO4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries often requires size nanonization coupled with calcination-based carbon coating to improve its electrochemical performance, which, however, is usually at the expense of tap density and may be environmentally problematic. Here we report the utilization of micron-sized LiFePO4, which has a higher tap density than its nano-sized siblings, by forming a conducting polymer coating on its surface with a greener diazonium chemistry. Specifically, micron-sized LiFePO4 particles have been uniformly coated with a thin polyphenylene film via the spontaneous reaction between LiFePO4 and an aromatic diazonium salt of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The coated micron-sized LiFePO4, compared with its pristine counterpart, has shown improved electrical conductivity, high rate capability and excellent cyclability when used as a 'carbon additive free' cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The bonding mechanism of polyphenylene to LiFePO4/FePO4 has been understood with density functional theory calculations.

  13. Accelerated Removal of Fe-Antisite Defects while Nanosizing Hydrothermal LiFePO4 with Ca(2).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Paolella, Andrea; Turner, Stuart; Bertoni, Giovanni; Hovington, Pierre; Flacau, Roxana; Boyer, Chad; Feng, Zimin; Colombo, Massimo; Marras, Sergio; Prato, Mirko; Manna, Liberato; Guerfi, Abdelbast; Demopoulos, George P; Armand, Michel; Zaghib, Karim

    2016-04-13

    Based on neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), we show that calcium ions help eliminate the Fe-antisite defects by controlling the nucleation and evolution of the LiFePO4 particles during their hydrothermal synthesis. This Ca-regulated formation of LiFePO4 particles has an overwhelming impact on the removal of their iron antisite defects during the subsequent carbon-coating step since (i) almost all the Fe-antisite defects aggregate at the surface of the LiFePO4 crystal when the crystals are small enough and (ii) the concomitant increase of the surface area, which further exposes the Fe-antisite defects. Our results not only justify a low-cost, efficient and reliable hydrothermal synthesis method for LiFePO4 but also provide a promising alternative viewpoint on the mechanism controlling the nanosizing of LiFePO4, which leads to improved electrochemical performances.

  14. Charge disproportionation in Fe/sup 4 + -/oxides with perovskite-type structures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Takano, M; Nakanishi, N [Konan Univ., Kobe (Japan). Faculty of Science; Takeda, Y; Naka, S [Nagoya Univ. (Japan)

    1979-01-01

    For a further examination and elaboration of our simple charge disproportionation model for Fe/sup 4 +/-oxides, 2Fe/sup 4 +/..-->..Fe/sup 3 +/ + Fe/sup 5 +/, two series of solid solutions Casub(1-x)Srsub(x)FeO/sub 3/ and Srsub(1-x)Lasub(x)FeO/sub 3/ with the perovskite structure have been studied. The Moessbauer spectrum of Srsub(0,5)Lasub(0.5)FeO/sub 3/ at 4 K clearly indicates the disproportionation. For both series of oxides, the disproportionation seems to set in at the Tsub(N).

  15. IL-4 function can be transferred to the IL-2 receptor by tyrosine containing sequences found in the IL-4 receptor alpha chain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, H Y; Paul, W E; Keegan, A D

    1996-02-01

    IL-4 binds to a cell surface receptor complex that consists of the IL-4 binding protein (IL-4R alpha) and the gamma chain of the IL-2 receptor complex (gamma c). The receptors for IL-4 and IL-2 have several features in common; both use the gamma c as a receptor component, and both activate the Janus kinases JAK-1 and JAK-3. In spite of these similarities, IL-4 evokes specific responses, including the tyrosine phosphorylation of 4PS/IRS-2 and the induction of CD23. To determine whether sequences within the cytoplasmic domain of the IL-4R alpha specify these IL-4-specific responses, we transplanted the insulin IL-4 receptor motif (I4R motif) of the huIL-4R alpha to the cytoplasmic domain of a truncated IL-2R beta. In addition, we transplanted a region that contains peptide sequences shown to block Stat6 binding to DNA. We analyzed the ability of cells expressing these IL-2R-IL-4R chimeric constructs to respond to IL-2. We found that IL-4 function could be transplanted to the IL-2 receptor by these regions and that proliferative and differentiative functions can be induced by different receptor sequences.

  16. Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of CsFe23(HPO4)2(PO4)(H2O)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anisimova, N.Yu.; Ilyukhin, A.B.; Chudinova, N.N.; Serafin, M.

    2001-01-01

    The double acid iron-cesium orthophosphate CsFe 2 3 (HPO 4 ) 2 (PO 4 )(H 2 O) was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis (from the Fe 2 O 3 , Cs 2 CO 3 and H 3 PO 4 mixture at 290 Deg C during 1 h following by cooling to 25 Deg C). Its crystal structure (a = 5.021(3), b = 15.80(1), c = 13.646(8), β 94.49(4) Deg, sp. gr. P2 1 /n, Z = 4) was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The structure is formed by the orthophosphate tetrahedrons and the FeO 6 octahedrons, the water molecule is coordinated by the iron atom [ru

  17. A new route for the synthesis of graphene oxide–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) nanocomposites and their Schottky diode applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Metin, Önder [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum (Turkey); Aydoğan, Şakir [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum (Turkey); Meral, Kadem, E-mail: kademm@atauni.edu.tr [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum (Turkey)

    2014-02-05

    Highlights: • Graphene Oxide (GO)–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites were prepared by a novel and facile method. • The successful assembly of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs onto GO sheets was displayed by TEM. • The GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites/p-Si junction showed good rectifying property. -- Abstract: Addressed herein is a facile method for the preparation of magnetic graphene oxide–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) nanocomposites and the rectifying properties of (GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4})/p-Si junction in a Schottky diode. GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites were prepared by a novel method in which as-prepared GO sheets were decorated with the monodisperse Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) in dimethylformamide/chloroform mixture via a sonication process. The successful assembly of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs onto GO sheets was displayed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Inductively couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis of the GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposite showed that the nanocomposite consists of 20.1 wt% Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs which provides a specific saturation magnetization (Ms) as 16 emu/g. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the (GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4})/p-Si junction in a Schottky diode were studied in the temperature range of 50–350 K in the steps of 25 K. It was determined that the barrier height and ideality factor of the Au/GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/p-Si/Al Schottky diode were depended on temperature as the barrier height increased while the ideality factor decreased with increasing temperature. The experimental values of barrier height and ideality factor were varied from 0.12 eV and 11.24 at 50 K to 0.76 eV and 2.49 at 350 K, respectively. The Richardson plot exhibited non-linearity at low temperatures that was attributed to the barrier inhomogeneities prevailing at the GO–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/p-Si junction.

  18. Study of the adsorption, electronic structure and bonding of C2H4 on the FeNi(1 1 1) surface

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Simonetti, S.; Brizuela, G.; Juan, A.

    2010-01-01

    The adsorption of C 2 H 4 on the FeNi(1 1 1) alloy surface has been studied by ASED-MO tight binding calculations. The C 2 H 4 molecule presents its most stable geometry with the C=C bond axis parallel to the surface along the [1, -1, 0] direction, bonded on top Fe atom and bonded along a Fe-Fe bridge site. As a consequence, the strength of the local Fe-Fe bond decreases between 37 and 62% of its original bulk value. This bond weakening is mainly due to the new C-Fe interactions however no Fe 3 C carbide formation is evidenced on surface. The Fe-Ni and Ni-Ni superficial bonds are only slightly modified.

  19. Antibody immobilized on Fe3O4 particles and its application to RIAs

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shen Rongsen; Xing Ruiyun

    1997-01-01

    A magnetic particle second antibody (MSA-I) was prepared by means of immobilizing donkey anti-rabbit antiserum on Fe 3 O 4 particles 10.8 nm +- 34% in diameter. Effects of some factors, such as pH of buffer used for immobilizing antiserum, amount of antiserum, time of immobilizing antiserum and blocking buffer on specific and nonspecific binding of MSA-I in RIAs were studied. The MSA-I was successfully applied to RIAs of T 3 , T 4 and TSH. The advantages of the magnetic second antibody were simplicity and time-saving in preparation and low cost

  20. Reversible Photoinduced Reductive Elimination of H2 from the Nitrogenase Dihydride State, the E4(4H) Janus Intermediate

    OpenAIRE

    Lukoyanov, Dmitriy; Khadka, Nimesh; Yang, Zhi-Yong; Dean, Dennis R.; Seefeldt, Lance C.; Hoffman, Brian M.

    2016-01-01

    We recently demonstrated that N2 reduction by nitrogenase involves the obligatory release of one H2 per N2 reduced. These studies focused on the E4(4H) ‘Janus intermediate’, which has accumulated four reducing equivalents as two [Fe-H-Fe] bridging hydrides. E4(4H) is poised to bind and reduce N2 through reductive elimination (re) of the two hydrides as H2, coupled to the binding/reduction of N2. To obtain atomic-level details of the re activation process, we carried out in situ 450 nm photoly...

  1. Electronic, Magnetic, and Redox Properties of [MFe(3)S(4)] Clusters (M = Cd, Cu, Cr) in Pyrococcus furiosus Ferredoxin.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Staples, Christopher R.; Dhawan, Ish K.; Finnegan, Michael G.; Dwinell, Derek A.; Zhou, Zhi Hao; Huang, Heshu; Verhagen, Marc F. J. M.; Adams, Michael W. W.; Johnson, Michael K.

    1997-12-03

    The ground- and excited-state properties of heterometallic [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), and [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) cubane clusters assembled in Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin have been investigated by the combination of EPR and variable-temperature/variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) studies. The results indicate Cd(2+) incorporation into [Fe(3)S(4)](0,-) cluster fragments to yield S = 2 [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+) and S = (5)/(2) [CdFe(3)S(4)](+) clusters and Cu(+) incorporation into [Fe(3)S(4)](+,0) cluster fragments to yield S = (1)/(2) [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+) and S = 2 [CuFe(3)S(4)](+) clusters. This is the first report of the preparation of cubane type [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) clusters, and the combination of EPR and MCD results indicates S = 0 and S = (3)/(2) ground states for the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively. Midpoint potentials for the [CdFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), [CrFe(3)S(4)](2+,+), and [CuFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) couples, E(m) = -470 +/- 15, -440 +/- 10, and +190 +/- 10 mV (vs NHE), respectively, were determined by EPR-monitored redox titrations or direct electrochemistry at a glassy carbon electrode. The trends in redox potential, ground-state spin, and electron delocalization of [MFe(3)S(4)](2+,+) clusters in P. furiosus ferredoxin are discussed as a function of heterometal (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Tl).

  2. Magnetic properties of nanostructured CuFe2O4

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Jiang, Jianzhong; Goya, G.F.; Rechenberg, H.R.

    1999-01-01

    The structural evolution and magnetic properties of nanostructured copper ferrite, CuFe2O4, have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. Nanometre-sized CuFe2O4 particles with a partially inverted spinel structure were synthesized by high...

  3. Molecular dynamics simulation of nanoindentation of Fe{sub 3}C and Fe{sub 4}C

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Goel, Saurav, E-mail: s.goel@qub.ac.uk [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen' s University, Belfast BT95AH (United Kingdom); Joshi, Suhas S. [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay 400076 (India); Abdelal, Gasser [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen' s University, Belfast BT95AH (United Kingdom); Agrawal, Anupam [Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, IL 61820 (United States)

    2014-03-01

    Study of nanomechanical response of iron carbides is important because presence of iron carbides greatly influences the performance and longevity of steel components. This work contributes to the literature by exploring nanoindentation of Fe{sub 3}C and tetrahedral-Fe{sub 4}C using molecular dynamics simulation. The chemical interactions of iron and carbon were described through an analytical bond order inter-atomic potential (ABOP) energy function. The indentations were performed at an indentation speed of 50 m/s and a repeat trial was performed at 5 m/s. Load–displacement (P–h) curve for both these carbides showed residual indentation depth and maximum indentation depth (h{sub f}/h{sub max}) ratio to be higher than 0.7 i.e. a circumstance where Oliver and Pharr method was not appropriate to be applied to evaluate the material properties. Alternate evaluation revealed Fe{sub 3}C to be much harder than Fe{sub 4}C. Gibbs free energy of formation and radial distribution function, coupled with state of the average local temperature and von Mises stresses indicate the formation of a new phase of iron-carbide. Formation of this newer phase was found to be due to deviatoric strain rather than the high temperature induced in the substrate during nanoindentation.

  4. Enhanced degradation of 4-nitrophenol by microwave assisted Fe/EDTA process

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Bo; Li Song; Zhao Yongjun; Wu Wenfei; Zhang Xuxiang; Gu Xueyuan; Li Ruihua; Yang Shaogui

    2010-01-01

    A microwave assisted zero-valent iron oxidation process was studied in order to investigate the synergetic effects of MW irradiation on Fe/EDTA system (Fe/EDTA/MW) treated 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) from aqueous solution. The results indicated that the thermal effect of microwave improved the removal effect of 4-NP and TOC through raising the temperature of the system, as well as the non-thermal effect generated by the interaction between the microwave and the Fe resulting in an increase in the hydrophobic character of Fe surface. During the degradation of 4-NP in Fe/EDTA/MW system, the optimum value for MW power, Fe, EDTA dosage was 400 W, 2 g and 0.4 mM, respectively. The possible pathway for degrading the 4-NP was proposed based on GC/MS and HPLC analysis of the degradation intermediates. The concentration change course of the main bio-refractory by-products, the aminophenol formed in the degradation of 4-NP suggested a more efficient degradation and mineralization in Fe/EDTA/MW system. Finally, BOD 5 /COD Cr of the solution increased from 0.237 to 0.635 after reaction for 18 min, indicating that the biodegradability of wastewater was greatly improved by Fe/EDTA/MW system and would benefit to further treatment by biochemical methods.

  5. Ab initio study of structural, electronic and optical properties of MnHg(SCN){sub 4} and FeHg(SCN){sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    He, K.H. [College of Maths and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China)]. E-mail: he23981006@126.com; Zheng, G. [College of Maths and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China)]. E-mail: gzheng25@yahoo.com; Chen, G. [College of Maths and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China); Lue, T. [College of Maths and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China); Wan, M. [College of Maths and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074 (China); Ji, G.F. [Laboratory for Shock Wave and Detonation Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900 (China)

    2007-03-01

    The structural, electronic and optical properties of MnHg(SCN){sub 4} and FeHg(SCN){sub 4} were studied by means of quantum-mechanical calculations based on the density-functional theory and pseudopotential method. The lattice constants can be compared with the experimental values when the effects of temperature are considered. The peaks of partial density of states of S, C, N and Hg of FeHg(SCN){sub 4} have a tendency of shifting to the higher energy levels relative to those of MnHg(SCN){sub 4}. The distributions of the 3d electronic states in the transition metal atoms show quite large difference and decide different optical properties. We found that absorptional peaks of FeHg(SCN){sub 4} lag behind those of MnHg(SCN){sub 4} and the peak in the infrared range has a higher absorptional intensity, which are in accord with the experimental results. By analyzing the distributions and transitions of the 3d electronic states, we explained the different absorption phenomena.

  6. Anode property of carbon coated LiFePO4 nanocrystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ni, Jiangfeng; Jiang, Jiaxing; Savilov, S. V.; Aldoshin, S. M.

    2016-10-01

    Nanostructured LiFePO4 is appealing cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries. Herein, however, we report the intriguing anode properties of carbon coated LiFePO4 nanocrystals. In the potential range of 0-3.0 V, the LiFePO4 nanocrystal electrodes afford high reversible capacity of 373 mAhg-1 at a current rate of 0.05 Ag-1 and retains 239 mAhg-1 at a much higher rate of 1.25 Ag-1. In addition, it is capable of sustaining 1000 cycles at 1.25 Ag-1 without any capacity fading. Such superior properties indicate that nanostructured LiFePO4 could also be promising anode for rechargeable battery applications.

  7. Thermal decomposition study of Mn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Malek, Tasmira J.; Chaki, S. H.; Tailor, J. P.; Deshpande, M. P.

    2016-05-01

    Fe3O4 is an excellent magnetic material among iron oxides. It has a cubic inverse spinel structure exhibiting distinguished electric and magnetic properties. In this paper the authors report the synthesis of Mn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles by wet chemical reduction technique at ambient temperature and its thermal characterization. Ferric chloride hexa-hydrate (FeCl3•6H2O), manganese chloride tetra-hydrate (MnCl2•4H2O) and sodium boro-hydrate (NaBH4) were used for synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles at ambient temperature. The elemental composition of the as-synthesized Mn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were determined by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) technique. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were carried out on the Mn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the temperature range of ambient to 1124 K. The thermo-curves revealed that the particles decompose by four steps. The kinetic parameters were evaluated using non-mechanistic equations for the thermal decomposition.

  8. MW-assisted synthesis of LiFePO 4 for high power applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beninati, Sabina; Damen, Libero; Mastragostino, Marina

    LiFePO 4/C was prepared by solid-state reaction from Li 3PO 4, Fe 3(PO 4) 2·8H 2O, carbon and glucose in a few minutes in a scientific MW (microwave) oven with temperature and power control. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and by TGA analysis to evaluate carbon content. The electrochemical characterization as positive electrode in EC (ethylene carbonate)-DMC (dimethylcarbonate) 1 M LiPF 6 was performed by galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles at C/10 to evaluate specific capacity and by sequences of 10 s discharge-charge pulses, at different high C-rates (5-45C) to evaluate pulse-specific power in simulate operative conditions for full-HEV application. The maximum pulse-specific power and, particularly, pulse efficiency values are quite high and make MW synthesis a very promising route for mass production of LiFePO 4/C for full-HEV batteries at low energy costs.

  9. Mechanistic insights of Li+ diffusion within doped LiFePO4 from Muon Spectroscopy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Johnson, Ian D; Ashton, Thomas E; Blagovidova, Ekaterina; Smales, Glen J; Lübke, Mechthild; Baker, Peter J; Corr, Serena A; Darr, Jawwad A

    2018-03-07

    The Li + ion diffusion characteristics of V- and Nb-doped LiFePO 4 were examined with respect to undoped LiFePO 4 using muon spectroscopy (µSR) as a local probe. As little difference in diffusion coefficient between the pure and doped samples was observed, offering D Li values in the range 1.8-2.3 × 10 -10  cm 2 s -1 , this implied the improvement in electrochemical performance observed within doped LiFePO 4 was not a result of increased local Li + diffusion. This unexpected observation was made possible with the µSR technique, which can measure Li + self-diffusion within LiFePO 4 , and therefore negated the effect of the LiFePO 4 two-phase delithiation mechanism, which has previously prevented accurate Li + diffusion comparison between the doped and undoped materials. Therefore, the authors suggest that µSR is an excellent technique for analysing materials on a local scale to elucidate the effects of dopants on solid-state diffusion behaviour.

  10. Infrared-active optical phonons in LiFePO4 single crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stanislavchuk, T. N.; Middlemiss, D. S.; Syzdek, J. S.; Janssen, Y.; Basistyy, R.; Sirenko, A. A.; Khalifah, P. G.; Grey, C. P.; Kostecki, R.

    2017-07-01

    Infrared-active optical phonons were studied in olivine LiFePO4 oriented single crystals by means of both rotating analyzer and rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometry in the spectral range between 50 and 1400 cm-1. The eigenfrequencies, oscillator strengths, and broadenings of the phonon modes were determined from fits of the anisotropic harmonic oscillator model to the data. Optical phonons in a heterosite FePO4 crystal were measured from the delithiated ab-surface of the LiFePO4 crystal and compared with the phonon modes of the latter. Good agreement was found between experimental data and the results of solid-state hybrid density functional theory calculations for the phonon modes in both LiFePO4 and FePO4.

  11. Synthesis, characterization of spinels NiFe_2O_4 e CoFe_2O_4 and evaluation of performance in the trans esterification and esterification of cottonseed oil

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dantas, J.; Silva, A.S.A.; Costa, A.C.F.M.; Freitas, N.L.

    2012-01-01

    The present study aimed synthesizes by combustion reaction and characterization of the spinel CoFe_2O_4 and NiFe_2O_4, and evaluation in the esterification and transesterification reaction of cottonseed oil for biodiesel. The samples were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption (BET), SEM and transesterification e esterification reaction of the cottonseed oil for biodiesel. The results show that the synthesis was effective in achievement the CoFe_2O_4 and NiFe_2O_4 with surface area 23.75 and 18.18 m"2g"1. The results for esterification indicated that CoFe_2O_4 conversion 16.8 and 38.6%, however for transesterification reaction was observed that NiFe_2O_4 conversion 8.6 and 16.8% for ethanol and methanol, respectively. (author)

  12. Spin-waves in antiferromagnetic single crystal LiFePO$_4$

    OpenAIRE

    Li, Jiying; Garlea, Vasile O.; Zarestky, Jerel L.; Vaknin, David

    2005-01-01

    Spin-wave dispersions in the antiferromagnetic state of single crystal LiFePO$_4$ were determined by inelastic neutron scattering measurements. The dispersion curves measured from the (010) reflection along both {\\it a}$^\\ast$ and {\\it b}$^\\ast$ reciprocal-space directions reflect the anisotropic coupling of the layered Fe$^{2+}$ (S = 2) spin-system. The spin-wave dispersion curves were theoretically modeled using linear spin-wave theory by including in the spin-Hamiltonian in-plane nearest- ...

  13. {μ-2-[4-(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-ylphenyl]-2-azapropane-1,3-dithiolato-κ4S,S′:S,S′}bis[tricarbonyliron(I

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Da-yong Jiang

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available The title compound, [Fe2(C15H12N2S3(CO6], was prepared as an azadithiolatodiiron model for the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenase. The Fe2S2 core adopts a butterfly shape, with each metal having a pseudo square-pyramidal geometry. The N-substituted azadithiolate is μ2-κ4S,S′:S,S′-coordinated to the Fe(CO3 moieties to form two fused six-membered rings with different conformations. The sum of the C—N—C angles around the N atom [356.85 (15°] indicates a flattening of the trigonal–pyramidal geometry about the N atom and an increase in the degree of sp2-hybridization.

  14. A Ru(II) complex with 2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5- f][1,10]phenanthroline: Synthesis, characterization, and acid-base and DNA-binding properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gao, Jie; Wang, Zhi-Ping; Yuan, Cui-Li; Jia, Hai-Shun; Wang, Ke-Zhi

    2011-09-01

    A new Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy) 2(Hmspip)]Cl 2 {in which bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Hmspip = 2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1 H-imidazo[4,5- f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been synthesized and characterized. The ground- and excited-state acid-base properties of [Ru(bpy) 2(Hmspip)]Cl 2 and its parent complex of [Ru(bpy) 2(Hpip)]Cl 2 {Hpip = 2-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5- f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been studied by UV-visible (UV-vis) and emission spectrophotometric pH titrations. [Ru(bpy) 2(Hmspip)]Cl 2 acts as a calf thymus DNA intercalators with a binding constant of 4.0 × 10 5 M -1 in buffered 50 mM NaCl, as evidenced by UV-vis and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN) 6] 4-, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, reverse salt titrations and viscosity measurements.

  15. Enhanced degradation of 4-nitrophenol by microwave assisted Fe/EDTA process

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu Bo, E-mail: yongboliu@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Li Song, E-mail: ls8214@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Zhao Yongjun, E-mail: zyjun2007@126.com [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Wu Wenfei, E-mail: feibanana6@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Zhang Xuxiang, E-mail: zhangxx@nju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Gu Xueyuan, E-mail: xygu@nju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Li Ruihua, E-mail: liruihua@nju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Yang Shaogui, E-mail: ysg420@sina.com [State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China)

    2010-04-15

    A microwave assisted zero-valent iron oxidation process was studied in order to investigate the synergetic effects of MW irradiation on Fe/EDTA system (Fe/EDTA/MW) treated 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) from aqueous solution. The results indicated that the thermal effect of microwave improved the removal effect of 4-NP and TOC through raising the temperature of the system, as well as the non-thermal effect generated by the interaction between the microwave and the Fe resulting in an increase in the hydrophobic character of Fe surface. During the degradation of 4-NP in Fe/EDTA/MW system, the optimum value for MW power, Fe, EDTA dosage was 400 W, 2 g and 0.4 mM, respectively. The possible pathway for degrading the 4-NP was proposed based on GC/MS and HPLC analysis of the degradation intermediates. The concentration change course of the main bio-refractory by-products, the aminophenol formed in the degradation of 4-NP suggested a more efficient degradation and mineralization in Fe/EDTA/MW system. Finally, BOD{sub 5}/COD{sub Cr} of the solution increased from 0.237 to 0.635 after reaction for 18 min, indicating that the biodegradability of wastewater was greatly improved by Fe/EDTA/MW system and would benefit to further treatment by biochemical methods.

  16. Development of novel exchange spring magnet by employing nanocomposites of CoFe_2O_4 and CoFe_2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Safi, Rohollah; Ghasemi, Ali; Shoja-Razavi, Reza; Tavoosi, Majid

    2016-01-01

    CoFe_2O_4−CoFe2 hard–soft nanocomposites were prepared via reduction of the cobalt ferrite CoFe_2O_4 in hydrogen atmosphere at different temperature. The structure and the room temperature magnetization of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite powders increases by reduction temperature while their coercivity decreases. The highest M_r/M_s ratio of 0.52 was obtained for sample reduced at 550 °C. Single smooth hysteresis loops of nanocomposites show that these nanocomposites behave as the single-phase materials. This result indicates the presence of exchange coupling between two different hard and soft phases. - Highlights: • CoFe_2O_4–CoFe_2 was successfully synthesized by reduction diffusion process. • Two phases are effectively exchange coupled in nanocomposite. • Single smooth hysteresis loop was developed in nanocomposites.

  17. Use of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Biosensor Response to the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

    OpenAIRE

    Loh, Kee-Shyuan; Lee, Yook Heng; Musa, Ahmad; Salmah, Abdul Aziz; Zamri, Ishak

    2008-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4 were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were found to have an average diameter of 5.48 ±1.37 nm. An electrochemical biosensor based on immobilized alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles was studied. The amperometric biosensor was based on the reaction of ALP with the substrate ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P). The incorporation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles together wit...

  18. Optical spectroscopic study of multiferroic BiFeO3 and LuFe2O4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, Xiaoshan

    2010-03-01

    Iron-based multiferroics such as BiFeO3 and LuFe2O4 exhibit the highest magnetic and ferroelectric ordering temperatures among known multiferroics. LuFe2O4 is a frustrated system with several phase transitions that result in electronically driven multiferroicity. To understand how this peculiar multiferroic mechanism correlates with magnetism, we studied electronic excitations by optical spectroscopy and other complementary techniques. We show that the charge order, which determines the dielectric properties, is due to the ``order by fluctuation'' mechanism, evidenced by the onset of charge fluctuation well below the charge ordering transition. We also find a low temperature monoclinic distortion driven by both temperature and magnetic field, indicating strong coupling between structure, magnetism and charge order. BiFeO3 is the only known single phase multiferroics with room temperature magnetism and ferroelectricity. To investigate the spin-charge coupling, we measured the optical properties of BiFeO3. We find that the absorption onset occurs due to on-site Fe^3+ excitations at 1.41 and 1.90 eV. Temperature and magnetic-field-induced spectral changes reveal complex interactions between on-site crystal-field and magnetic excitations in the form of magnon sidebands. The sensitivity of the magnon sidebands allows us to map out the magnetic-field temperature phase diagram which demonstrates optical evidence for spin spiral quenching above 20 T and suggests a spin domain reorientation near 10 T. Work done in collaboration with T.V. Brinzari, R.C. Rai, M. Angst, R.P. Hermann, A.D. Christianson, J.-W. Kim, Z. Islam, B.C. Sales, D. Mandrus, S. Lee, Y.H. Chu, L. W. Martin, A. Kumar, R. Ramesh, S.W. Cheong, S. McGill, and J.L. Musfeldt.

  19. Electronic structures and magnetic properties of 3d and 4d transition-metal impurities in ferromagnetic Fe

    CERN Document Server

    Park, J H; Min, B I; Cho, H S

    2000-01-01

    Employing the self-consistent local approach, the tight-binding linear-muffin-tin orbital recursion method, we have investigated the electronic structures and the magnetic properties of 3d and 4d transition-metal (TM) impurities in ferromagnetic bcc Fe. In both 3d and 4d TM impurities, virtual bound states appear and are characterized by a high density of states in the energy spectrum. The characters of the states are studied by calculating the bond order between interaction orbitals. For early TM impurities, the states at the impurity sites have more antibonding characters, while the states at neighboring Fe sites have more bonding characters. For late TM impurities, the situation is reversed. late TM impurities of both the 3d and the 4d TM series have the same magnetic ordering as the host Fe atoms whereas early TM impurities have magnetic moments antiparallel to that of the host. As for the Mn impurity, an inward relaxation of neighboring Fe atoms stabilizes the antiferromagnetic ordering with respect to t...

  20. Solid phase extraction of magnetic carbon doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Jing; Li, Jia-yuan; Qiao, Jun-qin; Lian, Hong-zhen; Chen, Hong-yuan

    2014-01-17

    Carbon decorated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4/C) are promising magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) sorbents in environmental and biological analysis. Fe3O4/C based MSPE method shows advantages of easy operation, rapidness, high sensitivity, and environmental friendliness. In this paper, the MSPE mechanism of Fe3O4/C nanoparticles has been comprehensively investigated, for the first time, through the following three efforts: (1) the comparison of extraction efficiency for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between the Fe3O4/C sorbents and activated carbon; (2) the chromatographic retention behaviors of hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds on Fe3O4/C nanoparticles as stationary phase; (3) related MSPE experiments for several typical compounds such as pyrene, naphthalene, benzene, phenol, resorcinol, anisole and thioanisole. It can be concluded that there are hybrid hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding interaction or dipole-dipole attraction between Fe3O4/C sorbents and analytes. It is the existence of carbon and oxygen-containing functional groups coated on the surface of Fe3O4/C nanoparticles that is responsible for the effective extraction process. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. NiFe2O4 nanoparticles decorated activated carbon nanocomposite ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    psg

    Figure S4. Standard deviation plot and DPV response of blank voltammogram on NiFe2O4-. AC/GCE……..5 ... plot (µA µM-1). m= 0.47 µA µM-1. Sm is defined as. Sm = Sbl + kσbl. (3). Where k is a number illustrating the confidence level of the detection, usually 3 and σbl is the standard deviation of the blank (0.063 µA).

  2. Fe4 cluster and a buckled macrocycle complex from the reduction of [(dmgBF2)2Fe(L)2] (L = MeCN, (t)Bu(i)NC).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rose, Michael J; Winkler, Jay R; Gray, Harry B

    2012-02-20

    We report the syntheses, X-ray structures, and reductive electrochemistry of the Fe(II) complexes [(dmgBF(2))(2)Fe(MeCN)(2)] (1; dmg = dimethylglyoxime, MeCN = acetonitrile) and [(dmgBF(2))Fe((t)Bu(i)NC)(2)] (2; (t)Bu(i)NC = tert-butylisocyanide). The reaction of 1 with Na/Hg amalgam led to isolation and the X-ray structure of [(dmgBF(2))(2)Fe(glyIm)] (3; glyIm = glyimine), wherein the (dmgBF(2))(2) macrocyclic frame is bent to accommodate the binding of a bidentate apical ligand. We also report the X-ray structure of a rare mixed-valence Fe(4) cluster with supporting dmg-type ligands. In the structure of [(dmg(2)BF(2))(3)Fe(3)((1)/(2)dmg)(3)Fe(O)(6)] (4), the (dmgBF(2))(2) macrocycle has been cleaved, eliminating BF(2) groups. Density functional theory calculations and electron paramagnetic resonance data are in accordance with a central Fe(III) ion surrounded by three formally Fe(II)dmg(2)BF(2) units.

  3. V-insertion in Li(Fe,Mn)FePO4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wu, T.; Liu, J.; Sun, L.; Cong, L.; Xie, H.; Abdel-Ghany, A.; Mauger, A.; Julien, C. M.

    2018-04-01

    Insertion of 3% vanadium in LiMn1-yFeyPO4 has been investigated, with y = 0.2 corresponding to the highest manganese concentration before the stress/strain field degrades the electrochemical performance. V substitutes for Fe2+ in the trivalent state V3+. This substitution is accompanied with the formation of Fe vacancies while Mn remains in the Mn2+ valence state, leading to a composition LiMn0.8Fe0.2-0.045V0.03□0.015PO4 where □ is a Fe vacancy. The comparison between electrochemical properties of a pristine sample and a sample with 3 mol.% vanadium made of particles with the same morphology (spherical particles with the same dispersion 100-150 nm in size) and same carbon coating (same conductivity of the carbon layer) is reported. Although the vanadium is in the V3+ state at open circuit voltage (2.6 V) before cycling, a reversible V3+/V2+ is observed when the potential of the half-cell is lowered below the redox potential of 1.8 V vs Li+/Li, due to Li-vacancies. The V-insertion improves the electrochemical properties, due to a synergetic effect of an increase of the lithium diffusion coefficient by a factor two and an increase of the electric conductivity at any Li-concentration during the cycling process, in contradiction with prior claims that attributed the increase of conductivity to V-based impurities.

  4. Antibacterial Effect of CrO and CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles upon Staphylococcus aureus

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Saber Imani

    2011-12-01

    Full Text Available Background & Objectives: The use of metal oxide nanoparticles can be effective to eliminate the bacterial infections, as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, antibacterial properties of nonmaterials of CrO and CoFe2O4 are investigated against Staphylococcus aureus as a major and prevalent pathogenic bacterium to achieve sterile nano-containers. Materials & Methods: Different concentrations of CrO and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1% of each, were examined with respect to their optical density (OD culture separately. Different percentages of each nanoparticles were also examined together for the best antibacterial combination. Kinetics of Bactericidal of nanoparticles were calculated in two-hour periods and were compared with the power of other common antibiotics. Ratios of MIC/MBC were calculated by Micro dilution method, to demonstrate the bactericidal power of nanoparticles. Results: The best concentration of the nanoparticles with the highest effect of bactericidal was obtained in the presence of 1% concentration of CrO that the OD of S. aureus culture medium had reduced 4/6 times than the control group (p<0/001.Ratio of 70% CrO to 30% CoFe2O4 was the best of the Bacteriostatic properties that OD was reduced 3/3 times than the control group (p<0/05. Best kinetics of bactericidal with survival rate in the presence of 1% CrO and CoFe2O4 were obtained in 24 and 36 hours respectively. In critical concentration of 1% CrO and CoFe2O4 bactericidal power was about 67 and 56 % respectively. The MIC/MBC rate for CrO and CoFe2O4 was obtained 0/2 and 0/4 respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that CrO nanoparticle compared with CoFe2O4 has a higher bactericidal power for S. aureus infection. Therefore, by completion of these experiments and the use of metal oxide nanoparticles complex in sensitive environments such as food storage containers, etc. are suggested.

  5. Importance of the Extracellular Loop 4 in the Human Serotonin Transporter for Inhibitor Binding and Substrate Translocation*

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rannversson, Hafsteinn; Wilson, Pamela; Kristensen, Kristina Birch; Sinning, Steffen; Kristensen, Anders Skov; Strømgaard, Kristian; Andersen, Jacob

    2015-01-01

    The serotonin transporter (SERT) terminates serotonergic neurotransmission by performing reuptake of released serotonin, and SERT is the primary target for antidepressants. SERT mediates the reuptake of serotonin through an alternating access mechanism, implying that a central substrate site is connected to both sides of the membrane by permeation pathways, of which only one is accessible at a time. The coordinated conformational changes in SERT associated with substrate translocation are not fully understood. Here, we have identified a Leu to Glu mutation at position 406 (L406E) in the extracellular loop 4 (EL4) of human SERT, which induced a remarkable gain-of-potency (up to >40-fold) for a range of SERT inhibitors. The effects were highly specific for L406E relative to six other mutations in the same position, including the closely related L406D mutation, showing that the effects induced by L406E are not simply charge-related effects. Leu406 is located >10 Å from the central inhibitor binding site indicating that the mutation affects inhibitor binding in an indirect manner. We found that L406E decreased accessibility to a residue in the cytoplasmic pathway. The shift in equilibrium to favor a more outward-facing conformation of SERT can explain the reduced turnover rate and increased association rate of inhibitor binding we found for L406E. Together, our findings show that EL4 allosterically can modulate inhibitor binding within the central binding site, and substantiates that EL4 has an important role in controlling the conformational equilibrium of human SERT. PMID:25903124

  6. Expression of CPEB4 in invasive ductal breast carcinoma and its prognostic significance

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sun HT

    2015-11-01

    Full Text Available Hao-Ting Sun,1,2,* Xin Wen,3,* Tian Han,4,* Zhen-Hua Liu,5 Shao-Bo Li,1 Ji-Gang Wang,1 Xiu-Ping Liu61Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 2Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 3Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Canton, Guangdong Province, 4Key Lab of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 5Urology Department and Institute of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 6Department of Pathology, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workAims: Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins (CPEBs are RNA-binding proteins that regulate translation by inducing cytoplasmic polyadenylation. CPEB4 has been reported in association with tumor growth, vascularization, and invasion in several cancers. To date, the expression of CPEB4 with clinical prognosis of breast cancer was never reported before. We aim to investigate the expression of CPEB4 and its prognostic significance in invasive ductal breast carcinoma.Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of CPEB4 and estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor was performed in 107 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC samples, and prognostic significance was evaluated.Results: High expression of CPEB4 was observed in 48.6% of IDC samples. Elevated CPEB4 expression was possibly related to increased histological grading (P=0.037 and N stage (P<0.001. Patients with high expression of CPEB4 showed shorter overall survival (P=0.001. High CPEB4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P=0.022, hazard ratio =4.344, 95% confidence interval =1.235–15

  7. Effect of carbon coating on cycle performance of LiFePO4/C composite cathodes using Tween80 as carbon source

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Huang, You-Guo; Zheng, Feng-Hua; Zhang, Xiao-Hui; Li, Qing-Yu; Wang, Hong-Qiang

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • The Tween80 addition could enhance cycle stability of LiFePO 4 material. • The FTIR spectrum confirms Tween80 surfactant can bond with LiFePO 4 particles. • Some chemical bonds between material and carbon layer still exist after sintering. - Abstract: The influence of carbon coating on the cycle performance of LiFePO 4 /C composite cathodes using polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween80) as carbon source against lithium metal foil anode for Li-ion batteries was investigated in this paper. According to Infrared spectrum analysis (FTIR), the Tween80 surfactant molecules bond to the surface of LiFePO 4 and form an adsorption layer, which contribute to the formation of a homogeneous carbon layer tightly coating on the surface of LiFePO 4 particles in the process of sintering, due to a strong binding force provided by surface chemical bonds. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the carbon layer around LiFePO 4 using Tween80 as carbon source still coating on the surface of LiFePO 4 after 200 cycles at 5 C rate while the carbon layer shed from the surface of LiFePO 4 using glucose as carbon source. As a result, the carbon-coated LiFePO 4 using Tween80 as carbon source exhibits much higher capacity retention than the sample using glucose as carbon source. Electrochemical impedance measurement (EIS) reveals that the carbon-coated LiFePO 4 electrode using Tween80 surfactant has a lower charge transfer resistance than the electrode using glucose as carbon source electrode after 100 and 200 cycles at 5 C rate

  8. Synthesis and magnetic properties of LiFePO4 substitution magnesium

    Science.gov (United States)

    Choi, Hyunkyung; Kim, Min Ji; Hahn, Eun Joo; Kim, Sam Jin; Kim, Chul Sung

    2017-06-01

    LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 sample was prepared by using a solid-state reaction method, and the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of the sample were studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed an olivine-type orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma based on Rietveld refinement method. The effect of Mg substitution in antiferromagnetic LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The temperature-dependence of the magnetization curves of LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 shows abnormal antiferromagnetic behavior with ordering temperature. Sudden changes in both the magnetic hyperfine field (Hhf) and its slope below 15 K suggest that magnetic phase transition associated to the abrupt occurrence of spin-reorientation. The Néel temperature (TN) and spin-reorientation temperature (TS) of LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 are lower than those of pure LiFePO4 (TN = 51 K, TS = 23 K). This is due to the Fe-O-Fe superexchange interaction being larger than that of the Fe-O-Mg link. Also, we have confirmed a change in the electric quadrupole splitting (ΔEQ) by the spin-orbit coupling effect and the shape of Mössbauer spectrum has provided the evidence for TS and a strong crystalline field. We have found that Mg ions in LiFe0.9Mg0.1PO4 induce an asymmetric charge density due to the presence of Mg2+ ions at the FeO6 octahedral sites.

  9. Aplikasi Magnet Berpengikat (Bonded NdFeB untuk S-band Circulator pada Rentang Frekuensi 2,00-4,00 GHz

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Tony Kristiantoro

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available Circulator merupakan perangkat elektronik yang memiliki fungsi penting pada suatu sistem pemancar dan penerima gelombang frekuensi radio (RF, di mana magnet permanen dapat berfungsi sebagai pengarah gelombang (waveguide. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggantikan magnet permanen barium ferit (BaFe12O19 yang umumnya digunakan pada circulator dengan magnet permanen berpengikat (bonded neodymium besi boron (NdFeB. Bahan baku yang digunakan adalah serbuk NdFeB crashed ribbon dengan menggunakan metode pengepresan green-compact yang divariasikan pada tekanan 25, 50, 75, dan 100 kg.cm-2 dan dilanjutkan proses pemanasan pada temperatur 200 C selama 60 menit. Karakterisasi sifat magnet dilakukan dengan Permagraph, diperoleh nilai intrinsik optimum dari sampel 100 kg.cm-2 , induksi remanen (Br = 5,37 kG, koersifitas (HcJ = 4,74 kOe, produk energi maksimum (BHmax = 2,39 MGOe, dan densitas (ρ = 4,89 gr.cm-3 . Hasil pengukuran kuat medan permukaan (B dengan Gauss-meter menunjukkan nilai 800 G. Magnet dengan karakteristik optimum diterapkan pada circulator kemudian dikarakterisasi dengan Vector Network Analyzer dan menghasilkan voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR = 1,354, isolasi = -17,165 dB dan kerugian penyisipan = -0,200 dB pada titik kerja 3,00 GHz, sehingga magnet berpengikat (bonded NdFeB ini dapat diterapkan pada S-band circulator yang bekerja pada rentang frekuensi 2,00-4,00 GHz.

  10. Supervalent doping of LiFePO4 for enhanced electrochemical performance

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    N. V. Kosova

    2015-12-01

    Full Text Available The orthophosphates LiFe0.9M0.1PO4 with the structure of olivine doped with vanadium and titanium were obtained by mechanochemically stimulated solidphase synthesis using high-energy planetary mill AGO-2 and subsequent annealing at 750 °C. It is shown that V- and Ti- ions do not completely substitute for Fe2+ ions in the LiFePO4 structure. The remaining part of these ions involve in the formation of second phase with nashiko-like structure: monoclinic Li3V2(PO43 (space group P21/n and rhombohedral LiTi2(PO43 (space group R-3c. According to TEM, the average size of the particle of nanocomposites is about 100-300 nm. EMF of microanalysis showed that the small particles of secondary phases are segregated at the surface of larger particles of LiFePO4. On the charge-discharge curves of LiFe0.9M0.1PO4 there are plateau corresponding to LiFePO4 and the second phase. The doping with vanadium increases the resistance of the cycling of LiFePO4 and improves its cyclability at high speeds to a greater extent than in the case of doping with titanium.

  11. Fabricating Fe3O4/Fe/Biocarbon Fibers using Cellulose Nanocrystals for High-Rate Li-ion Battery Anode

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Shuzhen; He, Wen; Zhang, Xudong; Yang, Guihua; Ma, Jingyun; Yang, Xuena; Song, Xin

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • Mesoporous biocarbon fibers adhered with Fe 3 O 4 /Fe nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 /Fe/MBCFs) are synthesized. • This method uses the natural cotton as a template and carbon source. • Fe 3 O 4 /Fe/MBCFs exhibit excellent cycling performance at higher current. - ABSTRACT: Searching the high rate Fe 3 O 4 -based materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is still a great challenge. Here we tackle this problem by developing a facile and green method which uses the natural cotton as a biotemplate and a activity biocarbon source. By this new method, we synthesized the mesoporous biocarbon fibers adhered with Fe 3 O 4 /Fe nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 /Fe/MBCFs). Fe 3 O 4 /Fe/MBCFs are a highly stable anode material for high-rate LIBs due to its excellent cycling performance at higher current and fast charging feature. This anode shows a high reversible capacity of 472 mAh g −1 after 500 cycles and can be rapidly charge to 100% in 28.3 min. After 160 cycles at varied current densities from 1 A g −1 to 10 A g −1 , it still delivered a high discharge capacity of 524.6 mAh g −1 and an ultra-high coulombic efficiency close to 100%. This is attributed to the synergistic effects of several factors including the unique mesoporous hybrid construction, the graphitized biocarbon fibers and the chemical bonding between Fe 3 O 4 and Fe nanoparticles. This work is instructive for fabrication and design of nanostructured electrodes with extraordinary properties from biomass renewable resources

  12. Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Ti4+ doped Li3-xFe2-xTix(PO4)3/C cathode materials

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Zhanqiang; Huang Fuqiang; Sun Junkang

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Li 3-x Fe 2-x Ti x (PO 4 ) 3 /C composite cathodes were prepared by ball-milling method. Ti-doping can improve the electrochemical property of Li 3 Fe 2 (PO 4 ) 3 . → The optimized doping level was found to be x = 0.2. → The second phase of LiTi 2 (PO 4 ) 3 will emerge if the doping level higher than 0.2. - Abstract: Li 3-x Fe 2-x Ti x (PO 4 ) 3 /C (x = 0-0.4) cathodes designed with Fe doped by Ti was studied. Both Li 3 Fe 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C (x = 0) and Li 2.8 Fe 1.8 Ti 0.2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C (x = 0.2) possess two plateau potentials of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ couple (around 2.8 V and 2.7 V vs. Li + /Li) upon discharge observed from galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry. Li 2.8 Fe 1.8 Ti 0.2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C has higher reversibility and better capacity retention than that of the undoped Li 3 Fe 2 (PO 4 ) 3 /C. A much higher specific capacity of 122.3 mAh/g was obtained at C/20 in the first cycle, approaching the theoretical capacity of 128 mAh/g, and a capacity of 100.1 mAh/g was held at C/2 after the 20th cycle.

  13. Electrodeposition of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer from solution of Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} with addition ethylene glycol

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dahlan, Dahyunir, E-mail: dahyunir@yahoo.com; Asrar, Allan [Department of Physics, Andalas University, Limau Manih Padang 25163, West Sumatera (Indonesia)

    2016-03-11

    The electrodeposition of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer from the solution Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} with the addition of ethylene glycol on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrate has been performed. The electrodeposition was carried out using a voltage of 5 volts for 120 seconds, with and without the addition of 2% wt ethylene glycol. Significant effects of temperature on the resulting the samples is observed when they are heated at 400 °C. Structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that all samples produce a layer of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} with particle size less than 50 nanometers. The addition of ethylene glycol and the heating of the sample causes a shrinkage in particle size. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization shows that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} layer resulting from the process of electrodeposition of Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} without ethylene glycol, independent of whether the sample is heated or not, is uneven and buildup. Layer produced by the addition of ethylene glycol without heating produces spherical particles. On contrary, when the layer is heated the spherical particles transform to irregularly-shaped particles with smaller size.

  14. High temperature stability of surfactant capped CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ayyappan, S.; Panneerselvam, G.; Antony, M.P.; Philip, John

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Self-assembled molecular layers of surfactant on nanoparticles are often used to modify surface properties. → We demonstrate that a surfactant nanolayer on CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles can act as a strong reducing agent under high temperature vacuum annealing. → We propose a possible reduction mechanism of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles under air and vacuum annealing. → Our results are important in the understanding of the stability of nanoparticles at high temperatures. - Abstract: We investigate the effect of adsorbed surfactant on the structural stability of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles during vacuum thermal annealing. In-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction studies show a reduction of oleic acid coated CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles into α-Fe and CoO under annealing at 800 deg. C. On the contrary, the uncoated CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles remains stable, with its cubic phase intact, even at 1000 deg. C. Thermo-gravimetric analysis coupled mass spectra reveals that the evolved carbon from the surfactant aids the removal of oxygen atom from CoFe 2 O 4 lattice thereby reducing it to α-Fe and CoO phases. These results are important in tailoring stable CoFe 2 O 4 nanostructures for various applications.

  15. Cyanide binding to human plasma heme–hemopexin: A comparative study

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ascenzi, Paolo; Leboffe, Loris; Polticelli, Fabio

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Cyanide binding to ferric HHPX–heme–Fe. ► Cyanide binding to ferrous HHPX–heme–Fe. ► Dithionite-mediated reduction of ferric HHPX–heme–Fe–cyanide. ► Cyanide binding to HHPX–heme–Fe is limited by ligand deprotonation. ► Cyanide dissociation from HHPX–heme–Fe–cyanide is limited by ligand protonation. -- Abstract: Hemopexin (HPX) displays a pivotal role in heme scavenging and delivery to the liver. In turn, heme–Fe–hemopexin (HPX–heme–Fe) displays heme-based spectroscopic and reactivity properties. Here, kinetics and thermodynamics of cyanide binding to ferric and ferrous hexa-coordinate human plasma HPX–heme–Fe (HHPX–heme–Fe(III) and HHPX–heme–Fe(II), respectively), and for the dithionite-mediated reduction of the HHPX–heme–Fe(III)–cyanide complex, at pH 7.4 and 20.0 °C, are reported. Values of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for cyanide binding to HHPX–heme–Fe(III) and HHPX–heme–Fe(II) are K = (4.1 ± 0.4) × 10 −6 M, k on = (6.9 ± 0.5) × 10 1 M −1 s −1 , and k off = 2.8 × 10 −4 s −1 ; and H = (6 ± 1) × 10 −1 M, h on = 1.2 × 10 −1 M −1 s −1 , and h off = (7.1 ± 0.8) × 10 −2 s −1 , respectively. The value of the rate constant for the dithionite-mediated reduction of the HHPX–heme–Fe(III)–cyanide complex is l = 8.9 ± 0.8 M −1/2 s −1 . HHPX–heme–Fe reactivity is modulated by proton acceptor/donor amino acid residue(s) (e.g., His236) assisting the deprotonation and protonation of the incoming and outgoing ligand, respectively.

  16. Oxygen trapped by rare earth tetrahedral clusters in Nd4FeOS6: Crystal structure, electronic structure, and magnetic properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lin, Qisheng; Taufour, Valentin; Zhang, Yuemei; Wood, Max; Drtina, Thomas; Bud’ko, Sergey L.; Canfield, Paul C.; Miller, Gordon J.

    2015-01-01

    Single crystals of Nd 4 FeOS 6 were grown from an Fe–S eutectic solution. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a Nd 4 MnOSe 6 -type structure (P6 3 mc, a=9.2693(1) Å, c=6.6650(1)Å, V=495.94(1) Å 3 , Z=2), featuring parallel chains of face-sharing [FeS 6×1/2 ] 4− trigonal antiprisms and interlinked [Nd 4 OS 3 ] 4+ cubane-like clusters. Oxygen atoms were found to be trapped by Nd 4 clusters in the [Nd 4 OS 3 ] 4 + chains. Structural differences among Nd 4 MnOSe 6 -type Nd 4 FeOS 6 and the related La 3 CuSiS 7 − and Pr 8 CoGa 3 -type structures have been described. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on Nd 4 FeOS 6 suggested the dominance of antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperature, but no magnetic ordering down to 2 K was observed. Spin-polarized electronic structure calculations revealed magnetic frustration with dominant antiferromagnetic interactions. - Graphical abstract: Trapping of oxygen in Nd 4 tetrahedral clusters results in the formation of the Nd 4 MnOSe 6 -type Nd 4 FeOS 6 , in contrast to the La 3 CuSiS 7 -type oxygen-free Nd 4 FeS 7 and related Pr 8 CoGa 3 -type structures. Complex magnetic frustration inhibits magnetic ordering at low temperature. - Highlights: • Single crystals of Nd 4 FeOS 6 were grown using self-flux method. • Oxygen was found trapped by Nd 4 tetrahedral clusters. • Comparison with two closely related structural types were discussed. • Magnetic measurements revealed antiferromagnetic (AFM) interaction. • VASP calculations confirmed strong magnetic frustration in AFM model

  17. Synergistically Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Ni3S4-PtX (X = Fe, Ni) Heteronanorods as Heterogeneous Catalysts in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Shoushuang; Ma, Dui; Hu, ZhangJun; He, Qingquan; Zai, Jiantao; Chen, Dayong; Sun, Huai; Chen, Zhiwen; Qiao, Qiquan; Wu, Minghong; Qian, Xuefeng

    2017-08-23

    Platinum (Pt)-based alloys are considerably promising electrocatalysts for the reduction of I - /I 3 - and Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox couples in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, it is still challenging to minimize the dosage of Pt to achieve comparable or even higher catalytic efficiency. Here, by taking full advantages of the Mott-Schottky (M-S) effect at the metal-semiconductor interface, we successfully strategize a low-Pt-based M-S catalyst with enhanced electrocatalytic performance and stability for the large-scale application of DSSCs. The optimized M-S electrocatalyst of Ni 3 S 4 -Pt 2 X 1 (X = Fe, Ni) heteronanorods is constructed by rationally controlling the ratio of Pt to transition metal in the hybrids. It was found that the electrons transferred from Ni 3 S 4 to Pt 2 X 1 at their interface under the Mott-Schottky effect result in the concentration of electrons onto Pt 2 X 1 domains, which subsequently accelerates the regeneration of both I - /I 3 - and Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox shuttles in DSSCs. As a result, the DSSC with Ni 3 S 4 -Pt 2 Fe 1 manifests an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.79% and 5.56% for iodine and cobalt-based electrolyte under AM1.5G illumination, respectively. These PCEs are obviously superior over those with Ni 3 S 4 -Pt, PtFe, Ni 3 S 4 , and pristine Pt electrodes. The strategy reported here is able to be further expanded to fabricate other low-Pt-alloyed M-S catalysts for wider applications in the fields of photocatalysis, water splitting, and heterojunction solar cells.

  18. Effects of the LiFePO4 content and the preparation method on the properties of (LiFePO4+AC/Li4Ti5O12 hybrid battery–capacitors

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    XUE BU HU

    2010-09-01

    Full Text Available Two composite cathode materials containing LiFePO4 and activated carbon (AC were synthesized by an in-situ method and a direct mixing technique, which are abbreviated as LAC and DMLAC, respectively. Hybrid battery–capacitors LAC/Li4Ti5O12 and DMLAC/Li4Ti5O12 were then assembled. The effects of the content of LiFePO4 and the preparation method on the cyclic voltammograms, the rate of charge–discharge and the cycle performance of the hybrid battery–capacitors were investigated. The results showed the overall electrochemical performance of the hybrid battery–capacitors was the best when the content of LiFePO4 in the composite cathode materials was in the range from 11.8 to 28.5 wt. %, while the preparation method had almost no impact on the electrochemical performance of the composite cathodes and hybrid battery–capacitors. Moreover, the hybrid battery–capacitor devices had a good cycle life performance at high rates. After 1000 cycles, the capacity loss of the DMLAC/Li4Ti5O12 hybrid battery–capacitor device at 4C was no more than 4.8 %. Moreover, the capacity loss would be no more than 9.6 % after 2000 cycles at 8C.

  19. Magnetic biodegradable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes for bone regeneration

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wei Yan; Zhang Xuehui; Hu Xiaoyang; Deng Xuliang [Department of Geriatric Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, 100081 (China); Song Yu; Lin Yuanhua [State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 (China); Han Bing [Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, 100081 (China); Wang Xinzhi, E-mail: kqdengxuliang@bjmu.edu.cn [Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, 100081 (China)

    2011-10-15

    In recent years, interest in magnetic biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering has increased considerably. The aim of this study is to develop magnetic biodegradable fibrous materials with potential use in bone regeneration. Magnetic biodegradable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/chitosan (CS)/poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes were achieved by electrospinning with average fiber diameters ranging from 230 to 380 nm and porosity of 83.9-85.1%. The influences of polymer concentration, applied voltage and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles loading on the fabrication of nanofibers were investigated. The polymer concentration of 4.5 wt%, applied voltage of 20 kV and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles loading of lower than 5 wt% could produce homogeneous, smooth and continuous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed that the crystalline structure of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, CS and PVA were maintained during electrospinning process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated that the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} loading up to 5 wt% did not change the functional groups of CS/PVA greatly. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed islets of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles evenly distributed in the fibers. Weak ferrimagnetic behaviors of membranes were revealed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) test. Tensile test exhibited Young's modulus of membranes that were gradually enhanced with the increase of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles loading, while ultimate tensile stress and ultimate strain were slightly reduced by Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles loading of 5%. Additionally, MG63 human osteoblast-like cells were seeded on the magnetic nanofibrous membranes to evaluate their bone biocompatibility. Cell growth dynamics according to MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation exhibited good cell adhesion and proliferation, suggesting that this magnetic biodegradable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/CS/PVA nanofibrous

  20. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Ta|Co40Fe40B20|MgAl2O4 structures and perpendicular CoFeB|MgAl2O4|CoFeB magnetic tunnel junction

    KAUST Repository

    Tao, B. S.

    2014-09-08

    Magnetic properties of Co40Fe40B20(CoFeB) thin films sandwiched between Ta and MgAl2O4layers have been systematically studied. For as-grown state, Ta/CoFeB/MgAl2O4structures exhibit good perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) with interface anisotropy Ki=1.22erg/cm2, which further increases to 1.30erg/cm2after annealing, while MgAl2O4/CoFeB/Ta multilayer shows in-plane magnetic anisotropy and must be annealed in order to achieve PMA. For bottom CoFeB layer, the thickness window for PMA is from 0.6 to 1.0nm, while that for top CoFeB layer is between 0.8 and 1.4nm. Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) with a core structure of CoFeB/MgAl2O4/CoFeB have also been fabricated and tunneling magnetoresistance ratio of about 36% at room temperature and 63% at low temperature have been obtained. The intrinsic excitations in the p-MTJs have been identified by inelastic electron-tunneling spectroscopy.

  1. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Ta|Co40Fe40B20|MgAl2O4 structures and perpendicular CoFeB|MgAl2O4|CoFeB magnetic tunnel junction

    KAUST Repository

    Tao, B. S.; Li, D. L.; Yuan, Z. H.; Liu, H. F.; Ali, S. S.; Feng, J. F.; Wei, H. X.; Han, X. F.; Liu, Y.; Zhao, Y. G.; Zhang, Q.; Guo, Zaibing; Zhang, Xixiang

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic properties of Co40Fe40B20(CoFeB) thin films sandwiched between Ta and MgAl2O4layers have been systematically studied. For as-grown state, Ta/CoFeB/MgAl2O4structures exhibit good perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) with interface anisotropy Ki=1.22erg/cm2, which further increases to 1.30erg/cm2after annealing, while MgAl2O4/CoFeB/Ta multilayer shows in-plane magnetic anisotropy and must be annealed in order to achieve PMA. For bottom CoFeB layer, the thickness window for PMA is from 0.6 to 1.0nm, while that for top CoFeB layer is between 0.8 and 1.4nm. Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) with a core structure of CoFeB/MgAl2O4/CoFeB have also been fabricated and tunneling magnetoresistance ratio of about 36% at room temperature and 63% at low temperature have been obtained. The intrinsic excitations in the p-MTJs have been identified by inelastic electron-tunneling spectroscopy.

  2. Pentacarbonyl-1κ2C,2κ3C-[(diphenylphosphoryldiphenylphosphane-1κP]-μ-ethane-1,2-dithiolato-1:2κ4S,S′:S,S′-diiron(I(Fe—Fe

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xu-Feng Liu

    2011-11-01

    Full Text Available The dinuclear title compound, [Fe2(C2H4S2(C24H20OP2(CO5] or (μ-SCH2CH2S-μFe2(CO5[Ph2PP(OPh2], contains a butterfly-shaped Fe2S2 core in which the Fe...Fe separation is 2.5275 (6 Å. One of the Fe atoms is also coordinated to three carbonyl ligands and the other to two carbonyl ligands and one phosphane ligand [Ph2PP(OPh2]. Both Fe-atom geometries could be described as grossly distorted octahedral and the Ph2PP(OPh2 ligand lies trans to the Fe...Fe link.

  3. Synthesis of superior fast charging-discharging nano-LiFePO4/C from nano-FePO4 generated using a confined area impinging jet reactor approach.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Xiao-min; Yan, Pen; Xie, Yin-Yin; Yang, Hui; Shen, Xiao-dong; Ma, Zi-Feng

    2013-06-14

    LiFePO4/C nanocomposites with excellent electrochemical performance is synthesized from nano-FePO4, generated by a novel method using a confined area impinging jet reactor (CIJR). When discharged at 80 C (13.6 Ag(-1)), the LiFePO4/C delivers a discharge capacity of 95 mA h g(-1), an energy density of 227 W h kg(-1) and a power density of 34 kW kg(-1).

  4. Moessbauer study of FePO4 cathode for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tetsuaki Nishida; Masahiro Tokunaga; Toshiharu Nishizumi; Takafumi Yamamoto; Tomoyuki Shiratsuchi; Shigeto Okada; Jun-ichi Yamaki

    2005-01-01

    LiFePO 4 of olivine type has attracted much interest as a rare-metal free cathode for lithium-ion battery. The present authors' group has found a low-cost preparation method for new cathode material FePO 4 (P 321 ) from an aqueous solution of metallic iron and P 2 O 5 . A cathode pellet was prepared by mixing FePO 4 , acetylene black (AB) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder at a mass ratio of 70:25:5. Electrochemical cathode performance was investigated under a constant current density of 0.1 mA/cm 2 with a coin-type cell with an anode of metallic Li and Na for Li- and Na-ion batteries, respectively. Moessbauer spectra were measured by a constant accele- ration method with a Moessbauer source of 57 Co(Pd) and an α-Fe foil as a reference of the isomer shift. Moessbauer spectra of the original cathode pellet top left and right) composed of amorphous FePO 4 indicate that all the Fe III atoms have a tetrahedral symmetry. After discharging the Li-(second left) and Na-batteries (second right), all the Fe III were reduced to octahedral Fe II . The reduction of Fe III to Fe II indicates penetration of Li + and Na + into the FePO 4 cathode which accompanies an electron capture; Li + (or Na + ) + Fe III PO 4 + e - = LiFe II PO 4 (or NaFe II PO 4 ) After charging the Li-cell (bottom left), all the Fen atoms were oxidized to tetrahedral Fe III , while 69 % of Fe II was oxidized to Fe III in the Na-ion cell (bottom right) due to a lower cell voltage: 4.0 V. Oxidation of Fe II to Fe III reflects a release of Li + or Na + ions from the FePO 4 cathode to the electrolyte, i.e., an inverse reaction of eq.

  5. Magnetic and electrical properties of In doped FeCr{sub 2}S{sub 4} compound

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sagredo, V. [Lab. de Magnetismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Merida, 5101 (Venezuela)], E-mail: sagredo@ula.ve; Davila, Y. [Lab. de Magnetismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Merida, 5101 (Venezuela); Goya, G.F. [Instituto Universitario de Investigacion en Nanociencia de Aragon, Zaragoza (Spain)

    2008-07-15

    Single crystals of FeIn{sub 1-x}Cr{sub 2x}S{sub 4} compounds have been grown by using the chemical transport method. DC magnetization measurements on single crystals for 0.6{<=}x{<=}1.0 revealed a reentrant behavior below T{sub sg}=120-170 K depending on the Cr concentration sample. The transition temperature T{sub c} increases as the indium concentration increases. The electrical resistivity measurements on polycrystalline materials above the Curie temperature revealed that the conduction behavior could be described as magnetic-polaron transport.

  6. Enzymes immobilization on Fe 3O 4-gold nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kalska-Szostko, B.; Rogowska, M.; Dubis, A.; Szymański, K.

    2012-01-01

    In the present study Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ from chlorides. In the next step magnetite-gold core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized from HAuCl4 using an ethanol as a reducing agent. Finally, magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized by hexadecanethiol. The immobilization of biological molecules (trypsin and glucose oxidase) to the thiol-modified and unmodified magnetite-gold nanoparticles surface was tested. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

  7. Fe3O4 epitaxial films

    KAUST Repository

    Liu, Xiang; Mi, Wenbo; Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Xixiang

    2017-01-01

    fast charge ordering process and a continuous formation process of trimeron, which is comfirmed by the temperature-dependent Raman spectra. Just below T-V, the twofold AMR in Fe3O4(100) film originates from uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. The fourfold AMR

  8. Band structure analysis on olivine LiMPO{sub 4} and delithiated MPO{sub 4} (M = Fe, Mn) cathode materials

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yi, Ting-Feng, E-mail: tfyihit@163.com [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002 (China); Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080 (China); Fang, Zi-Kui [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002 (China); Xie, Ying, E-mail: xieying@hlju.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080 (China); Zhu, Yan-Rong [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002 (China); Dai, Changsong [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)

    2014-12-25

    Highlights: • The conductivity of Li{sub x}MPO{sub 4} were discussed relying on first principles technique. • Relationship between structure properties and microscopic bonding was addressed. • A mechanism responsible for the structural instability of MnPO{sub 4} was proposed. - Abstract: Olivine compounds, i.e. Li{sub x}MPO{sub 4} (M = Fe, Mn), are now regarded as the most competitive positive-electrode materials for future applications of large-scale rechargeable lithium batteries. There are significant interests in their electronic structures, because the microscopic information is very important for elucidating the structural stability, electrochemical performance, and electronic conductivity issues of batteries for high-rate applications. The structure stabilities of LiMPO{sub 4} and MPO{sub 4} (M = Fe, Mn) cathode materials are analyzed according to first principles calculations. The result shows that LiMPO{sub 4} (M = Fe, Mn) materials exhibit good structure stability, which is mainly contributed to the extremely strong P-O covalent bonds. Furthermore, the introduction of P ions is also helpful for the chemical potential decrease of the materials. The band structure analysis reveals that the electronic conductance of LiFePO{sub 4}, LiMnPO{sub 4}, and FePO{sub 4} is poor, while MnPO{sub 4} possesses half metallic property. According to the electron distribution, it can be confirmed that Mn-O(II) bonds are weakened after Li{sup +} extractions, which is different from the variation trend of Fe-O(II) bonds. The decrease of Mn-O(II) bond strength is thus favorable for the phase transformation observed in experiments.

  9. Cs[FeSe{sub 2}], Cs{sub 3}[FeSe{sub 2}]{sub 2}, and Cs{sub 7}[Fe{sub 4}Se{sub 8}]. Missing links of known chalcogenido ferrate series

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Stueble, Pirmin; Roehr, Caroline [Institut fuer Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Universitaet Freiburg (Germany)

    2017-11-17

    The three cesium selenido ferrate title compounds with an Se:Fe ratio of 2:1 were synthesized from stoichiometric samples reacting elemental Cs either (A) with Fe and Se in a double-crucible setup (Cs[FeSe{sub 2}], Cs{sub 3}[FeSe{sub 2}]{sub 2}) or (B) with previously prepared FeSe{sub 2} (Cs{sub 3}[FeSe{sub 2}]{sub 2}, Cs{sub 7}[Fe{sub 4}S{sub 8}]) (T{sub max} = 800-1000 C). The pure Fe{sup III} ferrate Cs[FeSe{sub 2}] crystallizes in the Tl[FeSe{sub 2}] type [monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 1392.95(10), b = 564.43(3), c = 737.44(6) pm, β = 119.163(5) , Z = 4, R{sub 1} = 0.0550]. It is thus not isotypic to all other alkali ferrates(III) A[FeS{sub 2}] and A[FeSe{sub 2}] containing chains of edge-sharing tetrahedra, but crystallizes in a t2 subgroup of the Immm structure of Cs[FeS{sub 2}]. The mixed-valent chain compound Cs{sub 3}[FeSe{sub 2}]{sub 2} is isotypic to its sulfido analogue [orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a = 777.88(6), b = 1151.02(6), c = 1341.61(7) pm, Z = 4, R{sub 1} = 0.0470]. In contrast to the isopunctal Na{sub 3}[FeSe{sub 2}]{sub 2} type K/Rb compounds the chains are only slightly corrugated. The monoclinic, likewise mixed-valent Fe{sup II/III} selenido ferrate Cs{sub 7}[Fe{sub 4}Se{sub 8}] [monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 1953.79(10), b = 879.71(5), c = 1717.03(10) pm, β = 117.890(2) , Z = 4, R{sub 1} = 0.0816] is isostructural both to the cesium sulfido and tellurido compound. The structure contains oligomeric moieties of four edge sharing [FeSe{sub 4}] tetrahedra forming slightly distorted tetrahedral clusters [Fe{sub 4}Se{sub 8}]{sup 7-}, which are surrounded by a cube of 26 Cs cations. Based on a structure map, the crystal chemistry of the three title compounds is discussed together with all chain/cluster ferrates of the general series A{sub 1+x}[Fe{sup III}{sub 1-x}Fe{sup II}{sub x}Q{sub 2}] (x = 0-1; A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; Q = S, Se, Te). (copyright 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  10. Comparison of FeS, FeS + S and solid superacid catalytic properties for coal hydro-liquefaction

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhicai Wang; Hengfu Shui; Dexiang Zhang; Jinsheng Gao [East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai (China). College of Resource and Environment Engineering

    2007-03-15

    Catalyst plays an important role in direct coal liquefaction. This paper focuses on the catalytic behavior of a novel SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} superacid catalyst in coal hydro-liquefaction. A series of hydro-liquefaction experiments were conducted under mild conditions - 400{sup o}C, 30 min and H{sub 2} initial pressure 4 MPa in a batch autoclave with a volume of 100 ml. The catalytic property of SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} was compared with FeS and FeS + S by Shenhua coal. The liquefaction products catalyzed by different catalysts were analyzed by FTIR spectrum, {sup 1}H NMR spectrum and element analysis. In addition, the SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} solid superacid was characterized. The results indicated that the SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} solid superacid shows outstanding catalytic property for direct liquefaction of coal and gives the highest coal conversion and gas + oil yield compared to other two catalysts. The THF conversion and the extraction yield of CS{sub 2}/NMP mixed solvent of liquefied coal catalyzed with SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} are 76.3%, daf and 81.2%, daf respectively, and the yield of gas + oil is 62.5%, daf under the condition used in this study. The pyrolysis of coal macromolecular clusters can be promoted by catalysts such as FeS, FeS + S and SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2}. There may be only the pyrolysis of volatile matter and the relaxation of the structure of coal macromolecular clusters in non-catalytic liquefaction at 400{sup o}C. Added sulfur in FeS can improve the catalytic activity of hydrogenation. SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}/ZrO{sub 2} is a notable catalyst in the study of coal direct liquefaction because it shows excellent catalytic activities for the pyrolysis and the hydrogenation. In addition, it has been found that the C-O bond is the most stable group in coal liquefaction reaction except for the covalent bond between carbon and carbon. 34 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.

  11. 4s24p3--4s4p4 and 4s24p3--4s2fp25s transitions in Y VII, Zr VIII, Nb IX, and MoX

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Reader, J.; Acquista, N.

    1981-01-01

    Spectra of ionized Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo have been observed in sliding-spark and triggered-spark discharges on 10.7-m normal- and grazing-incidence spectrographs at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D. C. From these observations the 4s 2 4p 3 --4s4p 4 transitions in Y VII, Zr VIII, Nb IX, and Mo X have been identified. The 4s 2 4p 3 --4s 2 4p 2 5s transitions in Y VII-Mo X, previously identified by Rahimullah et al. [Phys. Scr. 14, 221--223 (1976); 18, 96--106 (1978)], have been confirmed. In Y VII the 4s 2 4p 3 --4s 2 4p 2 6s and 4s4p 4 --4p 5 transition also have been found. The parameters obtained from least-squares fits to the energy levels are compared with Hartree--Fock calculations. Preliminary values of the ionization energies have been determined as 110.02 +- 0.15 eV for Y VII, 133.7 +- 0.5 eV for Zr VIII, 159.2 +- 0.7 eV for Nb IX, and 186.4 +- 1.2 eV for Mo X

  12. Magnetic Fe3S4 nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity, and their use in a photometric enzymatic glucose assay

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ding, Caiping; Yan, Yinghan; Zhang, Cuiling; Xian, Yuezhong; Xiang, Dongshan

    2016-01-01

    Greigite magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 S 4 -MNPs) were prepared and reveal a peroxidase-like activity. Kinetic studies revealed a pseudo-enzymatic activity that is much higher than that of other magnetic nanomaterial-based enzyme mimetics. This finding was exploited to design a photometric enzymatic glucose assay based on the formation of H 2 O 2 during enzymatic oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase, and the formation of a blue product from an enzyme substrate that is catalytically oxidized by H 2 O 2 in the presence of Fe 3 S 4 -MNPs. Glucose can be detected in the 2 to 100 μM concentration range, and the low detection limit is 0.16 μM. The method was applied to quantify glucose in human serum. In our perception, this enzyme mimetic has a large potential in that it may be used in other oxidase based assays, but also in ELISAs. (author)

  13. Exchange bias effect in Au-Fe3O4 nanocomposites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chandra, Sayan; Frey Huls, N A; Phan, M H; Srinath, S; Srikanth, H; Garcia, M A; Lee, Youngmin; Wang, Chao; Sun, Shouheng; 2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenida Diagonal 647, E-08028 Barcelona (Spain))" data-affiliation=" (Departament de Física Fonamental and Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Avenida Diagonal 647, E-08028 Barcelona (Spain))" >Iglesias, Òscar

    2014-01-01

    We report exchange bias (EB) effect in the Au-Fe 3 O 4 composite nanoparticle system, where one or more Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles are attached to an Au seed particle forming ‘dimer’ and ‘cluster’ morphologies, with the clusters showing much stronger EB in comparison with the dimers. The EB effect develops due to the presence of stress at the Au-Fe 3 O 4 interface which leads to the generation of highly disordered, anisotropic surface spins in the Fe 3 O 4 particle. The EB effect is lost with the removal of the interfacial stress. Our atomistic Monte Carlo studies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. These results show a new path towards tuning EB in nanostructures, namely controllably creating interfacial stress, and opens up the possibility of tuning the anisotropic properties of biocompatible nanoparticles via a controllable exchange coupling mechanism. (paper)

  14. Functionalized graphene oxide/Fe3O4 hybrids for cellular magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence labeling.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhou, Chaohui; Wu, Hui; Wang, Mingliang; Huang, Chusen; Yang, Dapeng; Jia, Nengqin

    2017-09-01

    In this work, we developed a T 2 -weighted contrast agent based on graphene oxide (GO)/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids for efficient cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids were obtained by combining with co-precipitation method and pyrolysis method. The structural, surface and magnetic characteristics of the hybrids were systematically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), AFM, Raman, FT-IR and XRD. The GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids were functionalized by modifying with anionic and cationic polyelectrolyte through layer-by-layer assembling. The fluorescence probe fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was further loaded on the surface of functionalized GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids to trace the location of GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids in cells. Functionalized GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids possess good hydrophilicity, less cytotoxicity, high MRI enhancement with the relaxivity (r 2 ) of 493mM -1 s -1 as well as cellular MRI contrast effect. These obtained results indicated that the functionalized GO/Fe 3 O 4 hybrids could have great potential to be utilized as cellular MRI contrast agents for tumor early diagnosis and monitoring. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Treatment of landfill leachate biochemical effluent using the nano-Fe3O4/Na2S2O8 system: Oxidation performance, wastewater spectral analysis, and activator characterization.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Zhanmeng; Li, Xian; Rao, Zhiwei; Hu, Fengping

    2018-02-15

    Nano-Fe 3 O 4 was used as heterogeneous catalyst to activate Na 2 S 2 O 8 for the generation of the sulfate radicals (SO 4 - ) to oxidize the residual pollutants in landfill leachate biochemical effluent. The oxidation performance, wastewater spectral analysis and activator characterization were discussed. Oxidation experimental result shows that nano-Fe 3 O 4 has obvious catalytic effect on Na 2 S 2 O 8 and can significantly enhance the oxidation efficiencies of Na 2 S 2 O 8 on landfill leachate biochemical effluent, with COD and color removals above 63% and 95%, respectively. Based on the analyses of three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectrum (3DEEM), ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis), and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of wastewater samples before and after treatment, it can be concluded that the pollution level of dissolved organic matter (DOM) declined and that the humic acid (HA) fractions were efficiently degraded into small molecules of fulvic acid (FA) fractions with less weight and stable structure. Compared to the raw wastewater sample, the aromaticity and substituent groups of the DOM were lessened in the treated wastewater sample. Moreover, the main structure of the organics and functional groups were changed by the Fe 3 O 4 /Na 2 S 2 O 8 system, with substantial decrease of conjugated double bonds. The micro morphology of nano-Fe 3 O 4 was characterized before and after reaction by the methods of scanning electron microscope spectra (SEM), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD pattern analysis showed that nano-Fe 3 O 4 was oxidized into r-Fe 2 O 3 and that the particle size of it also became smaller after reaction. XPS was employed to analyze the content and iron valence on the nano-Fe 3 O 4 surface, and it can be found that the ratio of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ decreased from 1.8 before reaction to 0.8 after reaction. From the SEM analysis after the treatment, it was

  16. Magnetic properties and loss separation in FeSi/MnZnFe2O4 soft magnetic composites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lauda, M.; Füzer, J.; Kollár, P.; Strečková, M.; Bureš, R.; Kováč, J.; Baťková, M.; Baťko, I.

    2016-01-01

    We investigated composites that have been prepared from FeSi powders covered with MnZnFe 2 O 4 (MnZn ferrite), which was prepared by sol–gel synthesis accompanied with the auto-combustion process. The aim of this paper is to analyze the complex permeability and core losses of prepared samples with different amount of MnZn ferrite. The microstructure and the powder morphology were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Magnetic measurements on bulk samples were carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer, an impedance analyzer and hysteresisgraphs. The results indicate that the composites with 2.6 wt% MnZn ferrite show better soft magnetic properties than the composites with about 6 wt% MnZn ferrite. - Highlights: • Successful preparation of soft magnetic composite FeSi/MnZnFe 2 O 4 . • Study of the complex magnetic permeability. • Comparison of different compositions of prepared SMC's. • Determination of parts of magnetic losses.

  17. Disappearance of superconductivity in the solid solution between (Ca4Al2O6)(Fe2As2) and (Ca4Al2O6)(Fe2P2) superconductors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shirage, Parasharam M; Kihou, Kunihiro; Lee, Chul-Ho; Takeshita, Nao; Eisaki, Hiroshi; Iyo, Akira

    2012-09-19

    The effect of alloying the two perovskite-type iron-based superconductors (Ca(4)Al(2)O(6))(Fe(2)As(2)) and (Ca(4)Al(2)O(6))(Fe(2)P(2)) was examined. While the two stoichiometric compounds possess relatively high T(c)'s of 28 and 17 K, respectively, their solid solutions of the form (Ca(4)Al(2)O(6))(Fe(2)(As(1-x)P(x))(2)) do not show superconductivity over a wide range from x = 0.50 to 0.95. The resultant phase diagram is thus completely different from those of other typical iron-based superconductors such as BaFe(2)(As,P)(2) and LaFe(As,P)O, in which superconductivity shows up when P is substituted for As in the non-superconducting "parent" compounds. Notably, the solid solutions in the non-superconducting range exhibit resistivity anomalies at temperatures of 50-100 K. The behavior is reminiscent of the resistivity kink commonly observed in various non-superconducting parent compounds that signals the onset of antiferromagnetic/orthorhombic long-range order. The similarity suggests that the suppression of the superconductivity in the present case also has a magnetic and/or structural origin.

  18. High purity Fe3O4 from Local Iron Sand Extraction

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gunanto, Y. E.; Izaak, M. P.; Jobiliong, E.; Cahyadi, L.; Adi, W. A.

    2018-04-01

    Indonesia has a long coastline and is rich with iron sand. The iron sand is generally rich in various elements such as iron and titanium. One of the products processing of the iron sand mineral is iron (II) (III) oxide (magnetite Fe3O4). The stages of purification process to extracting magnetite phase and discarding the other phases has been performed. Magnetite phase analysis of ironsand extraction retrieved from Indonesia have been investigated. The result of analysis element of iron sand shows that it consists of majority Fe around 65 wt%. However, there are still 17 impurities such as Ti, Al, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, V, Yb, and Zn. After extraction process, Fe element content increases up to 94%. The iron sand powder after milling for 10 hours and separating using a magnetic separator, the iron sand powders are dissolved in acid chloride solution to form a solution of iron chloride, and this solution is sprinkled with sodium hydroxide to obtain fine powders of Fe3O4. The fine powders which formed were washed with de-mineralization water. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the fine powders have a single phase of Fe3O4. The analysis result shows that the sample has the chemical formula: Fe3O4 with a cubic crystal system, space group: Fd-3m and lattice parameters: a = b = c = 8.3681 (1) Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The microstructure analysis shows that the particle of Fe3O4 homogeneously shaped like spherical. The magnetic properties using vibrating sample magnetometer shows that Fe3O4 obtained have ferromagnetic behavior with soft magnetic characteristics. We concluded that this purification of iron sand had been successfully performed to obtain fine powders of Fe3O4 with high purity.

  19. Synthesis and characterization of sulfur-voided cubanes. Structural analogues for the MoFe(3)S(3) subunit in the nitrogenase cofactor.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Coucouvanis, Dimitri; Han, Jaehong; Moon, Namdoo

    2002-01-16

    A new class of Mo/Fe/S clusters with the MoFe(3)S(3) core has been synthesized in attempts to model the FeMo-cofactor in nitrogenase. These clusters are obtained in reactions of the (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PR(3))(6) [R = Et (I), (n)Pr (II)] clusters with CO. The new clusters include those preliminarily reported: (Cl(4)-cat)MoFe(3)S(3)(PEt(3))(2)(CO)(6) (III), (Cl(4)-cat)(O)MoFe(3)S(3)(PEt(3))(3)(CO)(5) (IV), (Cl(4)-cat)(Pyr)MoFe(3)S(3)(PEt(3))(2)(CO)(6) (VI), and (Cl(4)-cat)(Pyr)MoFe(3)S(3)(P(n)Pr(3))(3)(CO)(4) (VIII). In addition the new (Cl(4)-cat)(O)MoFe(3)S(3)(P(n)Pr(3))(3)(CO)(5) cluster (IVa), the (Cl(4)-cat)(O)MoFe(3)S(3)(PEt(3))(2)(CO)(6)cluster (V), the (Cl(4)-cat)(O)MoFe(3)S(3)(P(n)Pr(3))(2)(CO)(6) cluster (Va), the (Cl(4)-cat)(Pyr)MoFe(3)S(3)(P(n)Pr(3))(2)(CO)(6) cluster (VIa), and the (Cl(4)-cat)(P(n)Pr(3))MoFe(3)S(3)(P(n)Pr(3))(2)(CO)(6) cluster (VII) also are reported. Clusters III-VIII have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. EPR, zero-field (57)Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopic characterizations, and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been used for a tentative assignment of the electronic and oxidation states of the MoFe(3)S(3) sulfur-voided cuboidal clusters. A structural comparison of the clusters with the MoFe(3)S(3) subunit of the FeMo-cofactor has led to the suggestion that the storage of reducing equivalents into M-M bonds, and their use in the reduction of substrates, may occur with the FeMo-cofactor, which also appears to have M-M bonding. On the basis of this argument, a possible N(2)-binding and reduction mechanism on the FeMoco-cofactor is proposed.

  20. Structural investigations of LiFePO4 electrodes and in situ studies by Fe X-ray absorption spectroscopy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Deb, Aniruddha; Bergmann, Uwe; Cramer, S.P.; Cairns, Elton J.

    2005-01-01

    Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) have been performed on electrodes containing LiFePO 4 to determine the local atomic and electronic structure and their stability with electrochemical cycling. A versatile electrochemical in situ cell has been constructed for long-term soft and hard X-ray experiments for the structural investigation on battery electrodes during the lithium-insertion/extraction processes. The device is used here for an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of lithium insertion/extraction in a LiFePO 4 electrode, where the electrode contained about 7.7 mg of LiFePO 4 on a 20 μm thick Al-foil. Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) have been performed on this electrode to determine the local atomic and electronic structure and their stability with electrochemical cycling. The initial state (LiFePO 4 ) showed iron to be in the Fe 2+ state corresponding to the initial state (0.0 mAh) of the cell, whereas in the delithiated state (FePO 4 ) iron was found to be in the Fe 3+ state corresponding to the final charged state (3 mAh). XANES region of the XAS spectra revealed a high spin configuration for the two states (Fe (II), d 6 and Fe (III), d 5 ). The results confirm that the olivine structure of the LiFePO 4 and FePO 4 is retained by the electrodes in agreement with the XRD observations reported previously. These results confirm that LiFePO 4 cathode material retains good structural short-range order leading to superior cycling capability

  1. Experimental heat capacities, excess entropies, and magnetic properties of bulk and nano Fe3O4-Co3O4 and Fe3O4-Mn3O4 spinel solid solutions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Schliesser, Jacob M.; Huang, Baiyu; Sahu, Sulata K.; Asplund, Megan; Navrotsky, Alexandra; Woodfield, Brian F.

    2018-03-01

    We have measured the heat capacities of several well-characterized bulk and nanophase Fe3O4-Co3O4 and Fe3O4-Mn3O4 spinel solid solution samples from which magnetic properties of transitions and third-law entropies have been determined. The magnetic transitions show several features common to effects of particle and magnetic domain sizes. From the standard molar entropies, excess entropies of mixing have been generated for these solid solutions and compared with configurational entropies determined previously by assuming appropriate cation and valence distributions. The vibrational and magnetic excess entropies for bulk materials are comparable in magnitude to the respective configurational entropies indicating that excess entropies of mixing must be included when analyzing entropies of mixing. The excess entropies for nanophase materials are even larger than the configurational entropies. Changes in valence, cation distribution, bonding and microstructure between the mixing ions are the likely sources of the positive excess entropies of mixing.

  2. Magnetization reversal and coercivity of Fe3Se4 nanowire arrays

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, D.; Li, S. J.; Zhou, Y. T.; Bai, Y.; Zhu, Y. L.; Ren, W. J.; Long, G.; Zeng, H.; Zhang, Z. D.

    2015-05-01

    The microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe3Se4 nanowire (NW) arrays in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane are studied. Cross-sectional SEM and plane-view TEM images show that the mean wire diameter (dw) and the center-to-center spacing (D) of Fe3Se4 nanowires are about 220 nm and 330 nm, respectively. The field-cooled magnetization dependent on the temperature indicates a Curie temperature around 334 K for the Fe3Se4 nanowires. The coercivities of Fe3Se4 nanowires at 10 K, obtained from the in-plane and out-of-plane hysteresis loops, are as high as 22.4 kOe and 23.3 kOe, which can be understood from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the magnetization reversal process.

  3. Human pentraxin 3 binds to the complement regulator c4b-binding protein.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Anne Braunschweig

    Full Text Available The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3 is a soluble recognition molecule with multiple functions including innate immune defense against certain microbes and the clearance of apoptotic cells. PTX3 interacts with recognition molecules of the classical and lectin complement pathways and thus initiates complement activation. In addition, binding of PTX3 to the alternative complement pathway regulator factor H was shown. Here, we show that PTX3 binds to the classical and lectin pathway regulator C4b-binding protein (C4BP. A PTX3-binding site was identified within short consensus repeats 1-3 of the C4BP α-chain. PTX3 did not interfere with the cofactor activity of C4BP in the fluid phase and C4BP maintained its complement regulatory activity when bound to PTX3 on surfaces. While C4BP and factor H did not compete for PTX3 binding, the interaction of C4BP with PTX3 was inhibited by C1q and by L-ficolin. PTX3 bound to human fibroblast- and endothelial cell-derived extracellular matrices and recruited functionally active C4BP to these surfaces. Whereas PTX3 enhanced the activation of the classical/lectin pathway and caused enhanced C3 deposition on extracellular matrix, deposition of terminal pathway components and the generation of the inflammatory mediator C5a were not increased. Furthermore, PTX3 enhanced the binding of C4BP to late apoptotic cells, which resulted in an increased rate of inactivation of cell surface bound C4b and a reduction in the deposition of C5b-9. Thus, in addition to complement activators, PTX3 interacts with complement inhibitors including C4BP. This balanced interaction on extracellular matrix and on apoptotic cells may prevent excessive local complement activation that would otherwise lead to inflammation and host tissue damage.

  4. Reducing agent (NaBH4) dependent structure, morphology and magnetic properties of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanorods

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saravanakumar, B.; Rani, B. Jansi; Ravi, G.; Thambidurai, M.; Yuvakkumar, R.

    2017-01-01

    Nickel ferrite (Ni-Fe 2 O 4 ) nanorods were synthesized employing a simple chemical reduction method. Reducing agent (NaBH 4 ) influence on structural, morphological and magnetic properties of NiFe 2 O 4 nanorods was investigated. XRD results clearly revealed the presence of inverse cubic spinel nickel ferrite structure characteristic peaks and confirmed the site inversion of inverse spinel structure of Fe 3+ tetrahedral A site and Ni 2+ octahedral B site. The observed Raman characteristic peak at 488 and 683 cm −1 were corresponded to E 1 g and A 1 g mode whereas A and B site respectively corresponded to tetrahedral and octahedral site of NiFe 2 O 4 inverse spinel structure. The obtained PL peaks at 530 and 542 nm were attributed to the emission spectra of Fe 3+ ions in site A of inverse spinel structure and Ni 2+ ions in site B of inverse spinel structure respectively. SEM result clearly revealed that increase in NaBH 4 concentration had remarkable impact on nanorods formation, nano-octahedron structure, homogeneity and regularity of Ni-Ferrites. VSM studies clearly revealed the soft ferromagnetic nature of NiFe 2 O 4 and increase in NaBH 4 concentration further induced raise in metal cations concentration in A- and B- site which might impact the resultant magnetization of ferrites. - Highlights: • Nano rod formation has been initiated while increase of NaBH 4 concentration. • Further increasing NaBH 4 concentration favors nano-octahedron formation. • VSM studies revealed soft ferromagnetic nature of NiFe 2 O 4 .

  5. Facile fabrication of composited Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers with high electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao, Dianyun; Hao, Qin; Xu, Caixia

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers are successfully prepared through one step dealloying of Mn_5Fe_5Al_9_0 alloy at room temperature. This hierarchical flower-like structure with consists of a packed array of uniform regular hexagon-like nanoslices. Combined with the specific hierarchical flower-like architecture and the synergistic effect exerted by Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4, the nanocomposite exhibits enhanced performance as anode material for lithium ion batteries than pure Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4 anode. - Highlights: • Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers are easily prepared by one step dealloying method. • The nanoflowers consist of packed regular nanoslices with interconnected voids. • Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers deliver higher discharge capacity than Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4. • Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers show lower initial irreversible loss than Mn_3O_4 anode. - Abstract: Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers with controllable components are simply fabricated through one step etching of the Mn_5Fe_5Al_9_0 ternary alloy. The as-made hierarchical flower-like structure with interconnected voids consists of a packed array of uniform regular hexagon-like nanoslices. Based on the simple dealloying strategy the target metals are directly converted to uniform nanocomposite composed of Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4 species. With the unique hierarchical flower-like structure and the synergistic effects between Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4, the nanocomposite exhibits higher performance as anode material for lithium ion batteries than that of pure Mn_3O_4 and Fe_3O_4 anodes. The Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanocomposite deliver much higher discharge capacity and lower initial irreversible loss than Mn_3O_4 anode. The Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 anode material also shows an excellent cycling stability at the high rate of 1500 mA g"−"1 with outstanding rate capability. With the advantages of simple preparation and excellent electrochemical performance, Mn_3O_4/Fe_3O_4 nanoflowers manifest great application potential as

  6. Synthesis and modification of FeVO_4 as novel anode for lithium-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, Xiaolin; Cao, Yuancheng; Zheng, Hao; Chen, Xiao; Feng, Chuanqi

    2017-01-01

    Graphical abstract: The FeVO_4/graphene are synthesized by combining hydrothermal and heat treatment method. It delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1302.3 mAh g"−"1 and remained capacity as 1046.5 mAh g"−"1 after 100 cycles and behaved better electrochemical properties than that of pure FeVO_4. - Highlights: • The FeVO_4 and FeVO_4/graphene are synthesized by combining hydrothermal and heat treatment method. • The FeVO_4/graphene nanocomposite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance. • FeVO_4/graphene delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1302.3 mAh g"−"1 and remained capacity as 1046.5 mAh g"−"1 after 100 cycles. • The FeVO_4/graphene composite behaved better electrochemical properties than that of pure FeVO_4. - Abstract: FeVO_4 and FeVO_4/graphene nanorods were synthesized successfully by combining a facile hydrothermal and heat treatment method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The content of graphene in FeVO_4/graphene was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The electrochemical properties of the samples were also investigated by battery testing system. The results showed that the FeVO_4 formed were taken on morphology of nanorods with the length between 0.5 and 1 μm and the diameter in range of 50 to 100 nm. Besides, the size of FeVO_4/graphene was smaller than that of pure FeVO_4. The content of graphene in composite was about 25.0% by weight. The reversible discharge capacities of FeVO_4 and FeVO_4/graphene were 405.2 mAh g"−"1 and 1046.5 mAh g"−"1 separately after 100 cycles at the current density of 100 mAh g"−"1 in the voltage range of 0.01–3 V. The reasons for the FeVO_4/graphene composite to behave outstanding electrochemical properties were also discussed. The FeVO_4/graphene composite can be a novel and promising anode material for lithium ion battery application.

  7. Structural, optical and electrical properties of Cu{sub 2}FeSnX{sub 4} (X = S, Se) thin films prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Khadka, Dhruba B.; Kim, JunHo, E-mail: jhk@inu.ac.kr

    2015-07-25

    Highlights: • CFTS(Se) thin films have been synthesized by low-cost spray-based deposition. • The fabricated films were found to be of stannite structure and p-type conductivity. • Band gaps of CFTS and CFTSe thin films are 1.37 and 1.11 eV, respectively. - Abstract: We report on fabrication of polycrystalline Cu{sub 2}FeSnX{sub 4} (X = S, Se) thin films by chemical spray pyrolysis subsequent with post-sulfurization and selenization. The post-annealing of as-sprayed Cu{sub 2}FeSnS{sub 4} (CFTS) films in sulfur and selenium ambient demonstrated drastically improved surface texture as well as crystallinity. The crystal lattice parameters calculated from X-ray diffraction patterns for post-annealed films were found to be consistent with stannite structure. The fabricated Cu{sub 2}FeSnS{sub 4} (CFTS) and Cu{sub 2}FeSnSe{sub 4} (CFTSe) films showed p-type conductivity with carrier concentration in the range of 10{sup 21} cm{sup −3} and mobility ∼1–5 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1}. The band gap energies of post-sulfurized CFTS and post-selenized CFTSe films were estimated to be ∼1.37 eV and ∼1.11 eV with an error of ±0.02 eV by UV–Vis absorption, respectively, which are promising for photovoltaic application.

  8. Fast-Rate Capable Electrode Material with Higher Energy Density than LiFePO4: 4.2V LiVPO4F Synthesized by Scalable Single-Step Solid-State Reaction.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kim, Minkyung; Lee, Seongsu; Kang, Byoungwoo

    2016-03-01

    Use of compounds that contain fluorine (F) as electrode materials in lithium ion batteries has been considered, but synthesizing single-phase samples of these compounds is a difficult task. Here, it is demonstrated that a simple scalable single-step solid-state process with additional fluorine source can obtain highly pure LiVPO 4 F. The resulting material with submicron particles achieves very high rate capability ≈100 mAh g -1 at 60 C-rate (1-min discharge) and even at 200 C-rate (18 s discharge). It retains superior capacity, ≈120 mAh g -1 at 10 C charge/10 C discharge rate (6-min) for 500 cycles with >95% retention efficiency. Furthermore, LiVPO 4 F shows low polarization even at high rates leading to higher operating potential >3.45 V (≈3.6 V at 60 C-rate), so it achieves high energy density. It is demonstrated for the first time that highly pure LiVPO 4 F can achieve high power capability comparable to LiFePO 4 and much higher energy density (≈521 Wh g -1 at 20 C-rate) than LiFePO 4 even without nanostructured particles. LiVPO 4 F can be a real substitute of LiFePO 4.

  9. ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} antiferromagnetic structure redetermination

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kremenović, Aleksandar, E-mail: akremenovic@rgf.bg.ac.rs [Laboratory for Crystallography, Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Đušina 7, Belgrade 11000 (Serbia); Antić, Bratislav [Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade 11001 (Serbia); Vulić, Predrag [Laboratory for Crystallography, Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Đušina 7, Belgrade 11000 (Serbia); Blanuša, Jovan [Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade 11001 (Serbia); Tomic, Aleksandra [Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade 11001 (Serbia); Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027 (United States)

    2017-03-15

    Magnetic structure of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} normal spinel is re-examined. Antiferromagnetic structure non-collinear model is established within C{sub a}2 space group having four different crystallographic/magnetic sites for 32 Fe{sup 3+} spins within magnetic unit cell. - Highlights: • Magnetic structure of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} normal spinel is re-examined. • Antiferromagnetic non-collinear structure model is established within C{sub a}2 space group. • Four different crystallographic/magnetic sites contain 32 Fe{sup 3+} spins within magnetic unit cell.

  10. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/carbon nanocomposite: Investigation of capacitive & magnetic properties for supercapacitor applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sinan, Neriman, E-mail: sinanneriman@gmail.com [Department of Advanced Technologies, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Bursa Technical University, Yildirim 16310, Bursa (Turkey); Unur, Ece, E-mail: eceunur@yahoo.com [Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Bursa Technical University, Yildirim 16310, Bursa (Turkey)

    2016-11-01

    Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with ∼10 nm diameters were synthesized by an extremely low-cost, scalable and relatively biocompatible chemical co-precipitation method. Magnetic measurements revealed that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles have bifunctional superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic character with saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) values of 64 and 71 emu g{sup −1} at 298 K and 10 K, respectively. Pseudocapacitive Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were then integrated into hazelnut shells - an abundant agricultural biomass - by an energy efficient hydrothermal carbonization method. Presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) ceramic template or its precursor in the hydrothermal reactor allowed simultaneous introduction of pores into the composite structure. Hierarchically micro-mesoporous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanocomposite possesses a high specific surface area of 344 m{sup 2} g{sup −1}. Electrochemical properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanocomposite were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements in a conventional three-electrode cell. The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanocomposite is able to operate in a large negative potential window in 1 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} aqueous electrolyte (−1.2–0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Synergistic effect of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and carbon leads to enhanced specific capacitance, rate capability and cyclability making Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanocomposite a very promising negative electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (magnetite) particles with ∼10 nm dia. were prepared by a facile chemical co-precipitation. • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanospheres are superparamagnetic at 298K with high saturation magnetization of 64 emu g{sup −1}. • Porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanocomposite was also prepared by a green HTC method combined with MgO templating. • Electrochemical properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C were studied in 1 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} (between −1.2 and 0 V vs. Ag

  11. CMC-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles as new MRI probes for hepatocellular carcinoma

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sitthichai, Sudarat [Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Pilapong, Chalermchai, E-mail: chalermchai.pilapong@cmu.ac.th [Center of Excellence for Molecular Imaging (CEMI), Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Thongtem, Titipun [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Thongtem, Somchai, E-mail: schthongtem@yahoo.com [Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand)

    2015-11-30

    Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) are superparamagnetic. • CMC is water-soluble and nontoxic cellulose-derivative polymer. • CMC-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs were successfully prepared by co-precipitation method. • The promising NPs that can be used for magnetic resonance imaging application. - Abstract: Pure Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were successfully prepared by co-precipitating of FeCl{sub 2}·4H{sub 2}O and FeCl{sub 3}·6H{sub 2}O in the solutions containing ammonia at 80 °C for 3 h. Phase, morphology, particle-sized distribution, surface chemistry, and weight loss were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In this research, CMC-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} MNPs consisting of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ions with 543.3-mM{sup −1} s{sup −1} high relaxivity were detected and were able to be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application with very good contrast for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without any further vectorization.

  12. TEA controllable preparation of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs) with excellent magnetic properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Han, Chengliang, E-mail: clhan@issp.ac.cn [Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei 230601 (China); Zhu, Dejie [State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002 (China); Wu, Hanzhao; Li, Yao; Cheng, Lu; Hu, Kunhong [Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei 230601 (China)

    2016-06-15

    A fast and controllable synthesis method for superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs) was developed in Fe(III)-triethanolamine (TEA) solution. The phase structure, morphology and particle size of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the magnetic particles were pure Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} with mean sizes of approximately 10 nm. The used TEA has key effects on the formation of well dispersing Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) result indicated that the as-obtained Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and the saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) was about 70 emu/g, which had potential applications in magnetic science and technology. - Highlights: • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs are synthesized by a simple and low-cost hydrothermal approach. • The triethanolamine (TEA) played vital roles in the formation of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs. • Our samples exhibited superparamagnetic and excellent dispersing properties in water.

  13. Envelope conformational changes induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 attachment inhibitors prevent CD4 binding and downstream entry events.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ho, Hsu-Tso; Fan, Li; Nowicka-Sans, Beata; McAuliffe, Brian; Li, Chang-Ben; Yamanaka, Gregory; Zhou, Nannan; Fang, Hua; Dicker, Ira; Dalterio, Richard; Gong, Yi-Fei; Wang, Tao; Yin, Zhiwei; Ueda, Yasutsugu; Matiskella, John; Kadow, John; Clapham, Paul; Robinson, James; Colonno, Richard; Lin, Pin-Fang

    2006-04-01

    BMS-488043 is a small-molecule human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) CD4 attachment inhibitor with demonstrated clinical efficacy. The compound inhibits soluble CD4 (sCD4) binding to the 11 distinct HIV envelope gp120 proteins surveyed. Binding of BMS-488043 and that of sCD4 to gp120 are mutually exclusive, since increased concentrations of one can completely block the binding of the other without affecting the maximal gp120 binding capacity. Similarly, BMS-488043 inhibited virion envelope trimers from binding to sCD4-immunoglobulin G (IgG), with decreasing inhibition as the sCD4-IgG concentration increased, and BMS-488043 blocked the sCD4-induced exposure of the gp41 groove in virions. In both virion binding assays, BMS-488043 was active only when added prior to sCD4. Collectively, these results indicate that obstruction of gp120-sCD4 interactions is the primary inhibition mechanism of this compound and that compound interaction with envelope must precede CD4 binding. By three independent approaches, BMS-488043 was further shown to induce conformational changes within gp120 in both the CD4 and CCR5 binding regions. These changes likely prevent gp120-CD4 interactions and downstream entry events. However, BMS-488043 could only partially inhibit CD4 binding to an HIV variant containing a specific envelope truncation and altered gp120 conformation, despite effectively inhibiting the pseudotyped virus infection. Taken together, BMS-488043 inhibits viral entry primarily through altering the envelope conformation and preventing CD4 binding, and other downstream entry events could also be inhibited as a result of these induced conformational changes.

  14. Study of thermal spin crossover in [Fe(II)(isoxazole)(6)](BF4)(2) with Mossbauer spectroscopy

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Bhattacharjee, A.; van Koningsbruggen, P. J.; Hibbs, W.; Miller, Joel S.; Guetlich, P.

    2007-01-01

    Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy of the mononuclear [Fe( II)( isoxazole)(6)]( BF4)(2) compound has been studied to reveal the thermal spin crossover of Fe( II) between low- spin ( S = 0) and high- spin ( S = 2) states. A temperature-dependent spin transition curve has been constructed with the least-

  15. Synthesis of 4,4-ditritio-(+)-nicotine: comparative binding and distribution studies with natural enantiomer

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Vincek, W.C.; Martin, B.R.; Aceto, M.D.; Tripathi, H.L.; May, E.L.; Harris, L.S.

    1981-11-01

    The preparation of 4,4-ditritio-(+)-nicotine (Vb) (specific activity 10.3 Ci/mmole)from (+)-nicotine (Ib) via (-) 4,4-dibromocotinine (IIIb) is described. Although Ib is 10-30 times less potent than (-)-nicotine (Ia) in the CNS, its binding affinity for the crude mitochondrial or nuclear fraction of whole rat brain is only three times less than that of Ia. However, distribution studies showed that the maximum brain levels of (-)-(3H) nicotine are nearly twice those of (+)-(3H)-nicotine following administration of a 2-micrograms/kg dose. Binding affinity and disposition of the stereoisomers account for a portion of the pharmacological stereospecificity of nicotine.

  16. Bacterial Electrocatalysis of K4[Fe(CN)6] Oxidation

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Zheng, Zhiyong; Xiao, Yong; Wu, Ranran

    Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (MR-1), a model strain of electrochemically active bacteria, can transfer electrons from cell to extracellular electron acceptors including Fe(III) (hydro)oxides. It has been reported that several redox species such as cytochromes in membranes and flavins assist...... in the electron transport (ET) processes. However, the oxidization of metal compounds was barely described. Here we report electrocatalysis of K4[Fe(CN)6] oxidation by MR-1. K4[Fe(CN)6] is a redox inorganic compound and shows a reversible redox process on bare glassy carbon (GCE). This is reflected by a pair...

  17. Cyanide binding to human plasma heme-hemopexin: A comparative study

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ascenzi, Paolo, E-mail: ascenzi@uniroma3.it [Laboratorio Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, Universita Roma Tre, Roma (Italy); Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Roma (Italy); Leboffe, Loris [Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Roma (Italy); Polticelli, Fabio [Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita Roma Tre, Roma (Italy)

    2012-11-16

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cyanide binding to ferric HHPX-heme-Fe. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cyanide binding to ferrous HHPX-heme-Fe. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dithionite-mediated reduction of ferric HHPX-heme-Fe-cyanide. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cyanide binding to HHPX-heme-Fe is limited by ligand deprotonation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cyanide dissociation from HHPX-heme-Fe-cyanide is limited by ligand protonation. -- Abstract: Hemopexin (HPX) displays a pivotal role in heme scavenging and delivery to the liver. In turn, heme-Fe-hemopexin (HPX-heme-Fe) displays heme-based spectroscopic and reactivity properties. Here, kinetics and thermodynamics of cyanide binding to ferric and ferrous hexa-coordinate human plasma HPX-heme-Fe (HHPX-heme-Fe(III) and HHPX-heme-Fe(II), respectively), and for the dithionite-mediated reduction of the HHPX-heme-Fe(III)-cyanide complex, at pH 7.4 and 20.0 Degree-Sign C, are reported. Values of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for cyanide binding to HHPX-heme-Fe(III) and HHPX-heme-Fe(II) are K = (4.1 {+-} 0.4) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6} M, k{sub on} = (6.9 {+-} 0.5) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 1} M{sup -1} s{sup -1}, and k{sub off} = 2.8 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -4} s{sup -1}; and H = (6 {+-} 1) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -1} M, h{sub on} = 1.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -1} M{sup -1} s{sup -1}, and h{sub off} = (7.1 {+-} 0.8) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -2} s{sup -1}, respectively. The value of the rate constant for the dithionite-mediated reduction of the HHPX-heme-Fe(III)-cyanide complex is l = 8.9 {+-} 0.8 M{sup -1/2} s{sup -1}. HHPX-heme-Fe reactivity is modulated by proton acceptor/donor amino acid residue(s) (e.g., His236) assisting the deprotonation and protonation of the incoming and outgoing ligand, respectively.

  18. Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of CoFe_2O_4 nanomaterial by coprecipitation method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nguyen Anh Tien; Hoang Thi Tuyet

    2015-01-01

    CoFe_2O_4 spinel nanomaterial has been synthesized by coprecipitation method through the hydrolysis of Co(II) and Fe(III) cations in boiling water. The results of DTA/TGA/DrTGA, XRD, TEM methods showed that CoFe_2O_4 crystals formed after a calcination at 700 °C exhibited structure of cubic with the particles size of 30-50 nm, H_c = 1526.89 Oe, M_s = 41.703 emu/g, M_r = 19.545 emu/g. (author)

  19. Thermodynamic properties and crystal structure refinement of ferricopiapite, coquimbite, rhomboclase, and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5

    Science.gov (United States)

    Majzlan, J.; Navrotsky, A.; McCleskey, R. Blaine; Alpers, Charles N.

    2006-01-01

    Enthalpies of formation of ferricopiapite [nominally Fe4.67(SO4)6(OH)2 (H2O)20]. coquimbite [Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)9], rhomboclase [(H3O)Fe(SO4)2 (H2O)3], and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5 were measured by acid (5 N HCl) solution calorimetry. The samples were characterized by wet chemical analyses and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The refinement of XRD patterns gave lattice parameters, atomic positions, thermal factors, and occupancies of the sites. The calculated formulae differ slightly from the nominal compositions: Fe4.78(SO4)6 (OH)2.34(H2O)20.71 (ferricopiapite), (Fe1.47Al0.53)(SO4)3 (H2O)9.65 (coquimbite), (H3O)1.34Fe(SO4)2.17 (H2O)3.06 (rhomboclase), and Fe2(SO4)3 (H2O)5.03. All thermodynamic data are given per mole of these formulae. The measured standard enthalpies (in kJ/mol) of formation from the elements (crystalline Fe, Al, S, and ideal gases O2 and H2) at T = 298.15 K are -4115.8??4.1 [Fe2(SO4)3 (H2O)5.03], -12045.1??9.2 (ferricopiapite), -5738.4??3.3 (coquimbite), and -3201.1??2.6 (rhomboclase). Standard entropy (S??) was estimated as a sum of entropies of oxide, hydroxide, and sulfate components. The estimated S?? (in J/mol.K) values for the iron sulfates are 488.2 [Fe2(SO4)3 (H2O)5.03], 1449.2 (ferricopiapite), 638.3 (coquimbite), and 380.1 (rhomboclase). The calculated Gibbs free energies of formation (in kJ/mol) are -3499.7??4.2 [Fe2(SO4)3 (H2O)5.03], -10089.8??9.3 (ferricopiapite), -4845.6??3.3 (coquimbite), and -2688.0??2.7 (rhomboclase). These results combined with other available thermodynamic data allow construction of mineral stability diagrams in the FeIII2(SO4)3-FeII SO4-H2O system. One such diagram is provided, indicating that the order of stability of ferric sulfate minerals with decreasing pH in the range of 1.5 to -0.5 is: hydronium jarosite, ferricopiapite, and rhomboclase. ?? 2006 E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.

  20. Synergistic interaction between pseudocapacitive Fe3O4 nanoparticles and highly porous silicon carbide for high-performance electrodes as electrochemical supercapacitors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kim, Myeongjin; Kim, Jooheon

    2017-05-12

    Composites of micro- and mesoporous SiC flakes (SiCF) and ferroferric oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ), SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 , were prepared via the chemical deposition of Fe 3 O 4 on SiCF by the chemical reduction of an Fe precursor. The SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 electrodes were fabricated at different Fe 3 O 4 feeding ratios to determine the optimal Fe 3 O 4 content that can maintain a high total surface area of SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 composites as well as cause a vigorous redox reaction, thereby maximizing the synergistic effect between the electric double-layer capacitive effects of SiCF and the pseudo-capacitive effects of Fe 3 O 4 . The SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 electrode fabricated with a Fe 3 O 4 /SiCF feeding ratio of 1.5:1 (SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 (1.5)) exhibited the highest charge storage capacity, showing a specific capacitance of 423.2 F g -1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s -1 with a rate performance of 81.8% from 5 to 500 mV s -1 in an aqueous 1 M KOH electrolyte. The outstanding capacitive performance of the SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 (1.5) electrode could be attributed to the harmonious synergistic effect between the electric double-layer capacitive contribution of the SiCF and the pseudocapacitive contribution of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles introduced on the SiCF surface. These encouraging results demonstrate that the SiCF/Fe 3 O 4 (1.5) electrode is a promising high-performance electrode material for use in supercapacitors.

  1. Importance of the Extracellular Loop 4 in the Human Serotonin Transporter for Inhibitor Binding and Substrate Translocation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rannversson, Hafsteinn; Wilson, Pamela; Kristensen, Kristina Birch; Sinning, Steffen; Kristensen, Anders Skov; Strømgaard, Kristian; Andersen, Jacob

    2015-06-05

    The serotonin transporter (SERT) terminates serotonergic neurotransmission by performing reuptake of released serotonin, and SERT is the primary target for antidepressants. SERT mediates the reuptake of serotonin through an alternating access mechanism, implying that a central substrate site is connected to both sides of the membrane by permeation pathways, of which only one is accessible at a time. The coordinated conformational changes in SERT associated with substrate translocation are not fully understood. Here, we have identified a Leu to Glu mutation at position 406 (L406E) in the extracellular loop 4 (EL4) of human SERT, which induced a remarkable gain-of-potency (up to >40-fold) for a range of SERT inhibitors. The effects were highly specific for L406E relative to six other mutations in the same position, including the closely related L406D mutation, showing that the effects induced by L406E are not simply charge-related effects. Leu(406) is located >10 Å from the central inhibitor binding site indicating that the mutation affects inhibitor binding in an indirect manner. We found that L406E decreased accessibility to a residue in the cytoplasmic pathway. The shift in equilibrium to favor a more outward-facing conformation of SERT can explain the reduced turnover rate and increased association rate of inhibitor binding we found for L406E. Together, our findings show that EL4 allosterically can modulate inhibitor binding within the central binding site, and substantiates that EL4 has an important role in controlling the conformational equilibrium of human SERT. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  2. Thermodynamic properties of tooeleite, Fe63+(As3+O3)4(SO4)(OH)4·4H2O

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Majzlan, Juraj; Dachs, Edgar; Benisek, Artur

    2016-01-01

    -As-S-O-H. In this contribution, we report the thermodynamic properties of synthetic tooeleite. The sample was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. These methods confirmed that the sample is pure, devoid...... capacity data measured by relaxation calorimetry, is 899.0 ± 10.8 J mol−1 K−1. The calculated standard Gibbs free energy of formation is −5396.3 ± 9.3 kJ mol−1. The log Ksp value, calculated for the reaction Fe6(AsO3)4(SO4)(OH)4·4H2O + 16H+ = 6Fe3+ + 4H3AsO3 + SO42− + 8H2O, is −17.25 ± 1.80. Tooeleite has...

  3. Stimulation of translation by human Unr requires cold shock domains 2 and 4, and correlates with poly(A) binding protein interaction.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ray, Swagat; Anderson, Emma C

    2016-03-03

    The RNA binding protein Unr, which contains five cold shock domains, has several specific roles in post-transcriptional control of gene expression. It can act as an activator or inhibitor of translation initiation, promote mRNA turnover, or stabilise mRNA. Its role depends on the mRNA and other proteins to which it binds, which includes cytoplasmic poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1). Since PABP1 binds to all polyadenylated mRNAs, and is involved in translation initiation by interaction with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G), we investigated whether Unr has a general role in translational control. We found that Unr strongly stimulates translation in vitro, and mutation of cold shock domains 2 or 4 inhibited its translation activity. The ability of Unr and its mutants to stimulate translation correlated with its ability to bind RNA, and to interact with PABP1. We found that Unr stimulated the binding of PABP1 to mRNA, and that Unr was required for the stable interaction of PABP1 and eIF4G in cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Unr reduced the overall level of cellular translation in cells, as well as that of cap-dependent and IRES-dependent reporters. These data describe a novel role for Unr in regulating cellular gene expression.

  4. First-principles investigation of the electronic and Li-ion diffusion properties of LiFePO4 by sulfur surface modification

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xu, Guigui; Zhong, Kehua; Zhang, Jian-Min; Huang, Zhigao

    2014-01-01

    We present a first-principles calculation for the electronic and Li-ion diffusion properties of the LiFePO 4 (010) surface modified by sulfur. The calculated formation energy indicates that the sulfur adsorption on the (010) surface of the LiFePO 4 is energetically favored. Sulfur is found to form Fe-S bond with iron. A much narrower band gap (0.67 eV) of the sulfur surface-modified LiFePO 4 [S-LiFePO 4 (010)] is obtained, indicating the better electronic conductive properties. By the nudged elastic band method, our calculations show that the activation energy of Li ions diffusion along the one-dimensional channel on the surface can be effectively reduced by sulfur surface modification. In addition, the surface diffusion coefficient of S-LiFePO 4 (010) is estimated to be about 10 −11 (cm 2 /s) at room temperature, which implies that sulfur modification will give rise to a higher Li ion carrier mobility and enhanced electrochemical performance

  5. Supraparamagnetic, conductive, and processable multifunctional graphene nanosheets coated with high-density Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    He, Hongkun; Gao, Chao

    2010-11-01

    The amazing properties of graphene are triggering extensive interests of both scientists and engineers, whereas how to fully utilize the unique attributes of graphene to construct novel graphene-based composites with tailor-made, integrated functions remains to be a challenge. Here, we report a facile approach to multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticle-attached graphene nanosheets (graphene@Fe(3)O(4)) which show the integrated properties of strong supraparamagnetism, electrical conductivity, highly chemical reactivity, good solubility, and excellent processability. The synthesis method is efficient, scalable, green, and controllable and has the feature of reduction of graphene oxide and formation of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles in one step. When the feed ratios are adjusted, the average diameter of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (1.2-6.3 nm), the coverage density of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets (5.3-57.9%), and the saturated magnetization of graphene@Fe(3)O(4) (0.5-44.1 emu/g) can be controlled readily. Because of the good solubility of the as-prepared graphene@Fe(3)O(4), highly flexible and multifunctional films composed of polyurethane and a high content of graphene@Fe(3)O(4) (up to 60 wt %) were fabricated by the solution-processing technique. The graphene@Fe(3)O(4) hybrid sheets showed electrical conductivity of 0.7 S/m and can be aligned into a layered-stacking pattern in an external magnetic field. The versatile graphene@Fe(3)O(4) nanosheets hold great promise in a wide range of fields, including magnetic resonance imaging, electromagnetic interference shielding, microwave absorbing, and so forth.

  6. Effect of chitosan coating on the structural and magnetic properties of MnFe2O4 and Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mdlalose, W. B.; Mokhosi, S. R.; Dlamini, S.; Moyo, T.; Singh, M.

    2018-05-01

    We report the influence of polymer coatings on structural and magnetic properties of MnFe2O4 and Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nanoferrites synthesized by glycol thermal technique and then coated with chitosan viz. CHI-MnFe2O4 and CHI-Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4. The compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. The powder XRD patterns of naked nanoferrites confirmed single-phase spinel cubic structure with an average crystallite size of 13 nm, while the coated samples exhibited an average particle size of 15 nm. We observed a reduction in lattice parameters with coating. HRTEM results correlated well with XRD results. 57Fe Mössbauer spectra showed ordered magnetic spin states in both nanoferrites. This study shows that coatings have significant effects on the structural and magnetic properties of Mn-nanoferrites. Magnetization studies performed at room temperature in fields up to 14 kOe revealed the superparamagnetic nature of both naked and coated nanoparticles with spontaneous magnetizations at room temperature of 49.2 emu/g for MnFe2O4, 23.6 emu/g for coated CHI-MnFe2O4 nanoparticles, 63.2 emu/g for Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 and 33.2 emu/g for coated CHI-Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles. We observed reduction in coercive fields due to coating. Overall, chitosan-coated manganese and manganese-cobalt nanoferrites present as suitable candidates for biomedical applications owing to physicochemical, and magnetic properties exhibited.

  7. Engineered α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as models for measuring agonist binding and effect at the orthosteric low-affinity α44 interface

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Ahring, Philip K.; Olsen, Jeppe A.; Nielsen, Elsebet O.

    2015-01-01

    The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 beta 2 is important for normal mammalian brain function and is known to express in two different stoichiometries, (alpha 4)(2)(beta 2)(3) and (alpha 4)(3)(beta 2)(2). While these are similar in many aspects, the (alpha 4)(3)(beta 2)(2) stoichiometry...... differs by harboring a third orthosteric acetylcholine binding site located at the alpha 4-alpha 4 interface. Interestingly, the third binding site has, so far, only been documented using electrophysiological assays, actual binding affinities of nicotinic receptor ligands to this site are not known....... The present study was therefore aimed at determining binding affinities of nicotinic ligands to the alpha 4-alpha 4 interface. Given that epibatidine shows large functional potency differences at alpha 4-beta 2 vs. alpha 4-alpha 4 interfaces, biphasic binding properties would be expected at (alpha 4)(3)(beta...

  8. The FE-I4 Pixel Readout Chip and the IBL Module

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Barbero, Marlon; Arutinov, David; Backhaus, Malte; Fang, Xiao-Chao; Gonella, Laura; Hemperek, Tomasz; Karagounis, Michael; Hans, Kruger; Kruth, Andre; Wermes, Norbert; /Bonn U.; Breugnon, Patrick; Fougeron, Denis; Gensolen, Fabrice; Menouni, Mohsine; Rozanov, Alexander; /Marseille, CPPM; Beccherle, Roberto; Darbo, Giovanni; /INFN, Genoa; Caminada, Lea; Dube, Sourabh; Fleury, Julien; Gnani, Dario; /LBL, Berkeley /NIKHEF, Amsterdam /Gottingen U. /SLAC

    2012-05-01

    FE-I4 is the new ATLAS pixel readout chip for the upgraded ATLAS pixel detector. Designed in a CMOS 130 nm feature size process, the IC is able to withstand higher radiation levels compared to the present generation of ATLAS pixel Front-End FE-I3, and can also cope with higher hit rate. It is thus suitable for intermediate radii pixel detector layers in the High Luminosity LHC environment, but also for the inserted layer at 3.3 cm known as the 'Insertable B-Layer' project (IBL), at a shorter timescale. In this paper, an introduction to the FE-I4 will be given, focusing on test results from the first full size FE-I4A prototype which has been available since fall 2010. The IBL project will be introduced, with particular emphasis on the FE-I4-based module concept.

  9. Spin-glass behavior of warwickite MgFeBO{sub 4} and CoFeBO{sub 4} crystals observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lyubutin, I.S.; Korotkov, N. Yu.; Frolov, K.V. [Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, RAS, 119333 Moscow (Russian Federation); Kazak, N.V.; Platunov, M.S. [Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Knyazev, Yu. V. [Siberian Federal University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Bezmaternykh, L.N. [Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Ovchinnikov, S.G. [Kirensky Institute of Physics, SB of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Siberian Federal University, 660074 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Siberian State Aerospace University, 660014 Krasnoyarsk (Russian Federation); Arauzo, A. [Servicio de Medidas Físicas, Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain); Bartolomé, J. [Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza and Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain)

    2015-09-05

    Highlights: • Spin-glass behavior of MgFeBO{sub 4} and CoFeBO{sub 4} observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. • Transition temperature T{sub SG} increases strongly with Co substitution. • Dynamical scaling theory near T{sub SG} is fulfilled. • Spin-glass behavior is explained as due to short range correlations. • Inclusion of Co increases exchange interaction and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. - Abstract: Single crystals of MgFeBO{sub 4} and CoFeBO{sub 4} warwickites were obtained. The effects of charge ordering and magnetic properties were investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Cation distribution over M1 and M2 nonequivalent sites and the average charge at the metal positions were established. Low temperature Mössbauer spectra reveal spin-glass behavior, with spin-freezing temperatures T{sub SG} of 15.2 and 33.2 K for Mg- and Co-warwickites, respectively, higher than that observed from the d.c. and a.c. magnetic susceptibility measurements. The difference is explained in terms of dynamical scaling theory. The specific shape of the Mössbauer spectra in the vicinity of the magnetic transition at T{sub SG} shows the difference between spin-glass and superparamagnetic behavior and demonstrates an overwhelming role of the exchange anisotropy in the properties of Mg-warwickite. In Co-warwickite the increase of magnetocrystalline anisotropy provokes an increase in magnetic viscosity.

  10. PEG/CaFe2O4 nanocomposite: Structural, morphological, magnetic and thermal analyses

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Khanna, Lavanya; Verma, Narendra K.

    2013-01-01

    The coating of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) on calcium ferrite (CaFe 2 O 4 ) nanoparticles has been reported in the present study. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of orthorhombic structure of bare CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, which was also retained after the PEG coating, along with additional characteristic peaks of PEG at 19° and 23°. The rings of CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were identified by the selected area electron diffraction pattern. The characteristic bands of PEG as observed in its Fourier transform infrared spectrum were also present in PEG coated CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, hence confirming its presence. In the thermal gravimetric studies, the complete thermal decomposition of PEG occurred in a one step process, but in case of PEG coated CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, the decomposition took place at a higher temperature owing to the formation of covalent bonds of PEG with CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The presence of PEG on CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, spherical formation of PEG coated CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles and reduced agglomeration in the CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope studies, respectively. In vibrating sample magnetometer analysis, both bare as well as coated CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior. However, a drop in the magnetic saturation value was observed from 36.76 emu/g for CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles to 6.74 emu/g for PEG coated CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, due to the formation of magnetically dead layer of PEG. In ZFC and FC analyses, superparamagnetic behavior with blocking temperature for bare and coated nanoparticles has been observed at ∼40 K and ∼60 K, respectively. The increase in the blocking temperature is attributed to the increase in the particle size after PEG coating

  11. Fabrication of magnetically recyclable Fe3O4@Cu nanocomposites with high catalytic performance for the reduction of organic dyes and 4-nitrophenol

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tang, Mingyi; Zhang, Sai; Li, Xianxian; Pang, Xiaobo; Qiu, Haixia

    2014-01-01

    A facile and efficient approach to synthesize Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites using L-Lysine as a linker was developed. The morphology, composition and crystallinity of the Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. In addition, the magnetic properties were determined with vibrating sample magnetometer. The surface of the Fe 3 O 4 contained many small Cu nanoparticles with sizes of about 3 nm. It was found that the Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites could catalyze the degradation of organic dyes. The catalytic activities of the Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites for the reduction of nitrophenol were also studied. The Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites are more efficient catalysts compared with Cu nanoparticles and can easily be recovered from the reaction mixture with magnet. The cost effective and recyclable Fe 3 O 4 @Cu nanocomposites provide an exciting new material for environmental protection applications. - Highlights: • Cu nanoparticles as small as 3 nm are synthesized. • Low cost Fe 3 O 4 @Cu magnetical nanoparticles show catalytic activity for organic dyes and 4-nitrophenol. • The Fe 3 O 4 @Cu display high catalytic activity after 13 cycles

  12. New Polymorph of Fe3O4 Stable at Core-Mantle Boundary Conditions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Greenberg, E.; Prakapenka, V. B.

    2017-12-01

    Magnetite Fe3O4 (and its high-pressure polymorphs) is one of the most studied iron bearing minerals. One reason for the interest in magnetite is that it contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+, which is especially important for understanding the physical and chemical properties of Earth's deep interior. Early studies on magnetite debated the nature of the structural phase transition at 35 GPa [1-4]. This high-pressure structure was shown to be of the CaTi2O4-type [5], but with Fe3+ occupying multiple sites. Furthermore, at pressures above 65 GPa a second structural transition to a Pmma space group was shown to take place [5], similar to that in Fe3-xTixO4 solid solution [6]. Other studies have focused on the P-T stability of Fe3O4. Early studies by Lazor et al. [7] predicted that Fe3O4 might disproportionate into FeO and h-Fe2O3 at 50 GPa. Other studies suggested that the high-pressure phase should be stable up to 100 GPa [3]. A more recent experimental study by Ricolleau and Fei [8] revealed that Fe3O4 is stable at least up to 103 GPa. Thus far, structural studies of Fe3O4 have been limited to pressures below 105 GPa. We have studied Fe3O4 up to pressures of 175 GPa and temperatures above 4000K, using diamond anvil cells in combination with synchrotron x-ray diffraction and an online pulsed laser-heating system to study the stability of Fe3O4 at relevant pressure-temperature conditions. Our results show that Fe3O4 is stable up to at least 176 GPa and 4200 K. We have discovered a new polymorph of Fe3O4 at these high P-T conditions. This new phase is stable in the pressure range of at least 100Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 15, 7697 (2003). [4] Xu et al. Pysical Review B 70, 174106 (2004). [5] Greenberg et al. Physical Review B 95, 195150 (2017). [6] Yamanaka et al. American Mineralogist 98, 736 (2013). [7] Lazor et al. Journal of Geophysical Research 109, B05201 (2004). [8] Ricolleau and Fei. American Mineralogist 101, 719 (2016).

  13. Fe3O4@HKUST-1 and Pd/Fe3O4@ HKUST-1 as magnetically recyclable catalysts prepared via conversion from a Cu-based ceramic

    OpenAIRE

    Toyao, Takashi; Styles, Mark J.; Yago, Tokuichiro; Sadiq, Muhammad M.; Ricco, Raffaele; Suzuki, Kiyonori; Horiuchi, Yu; Takahashi, Masahide; Matsuoka, Masaya; Falcaro, Paolo

    2017-01-01

    Nanocomposites obtained by integrating iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) into a metal-organic framework (HKUST-1 or Cu-3(BTC)(2), BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) are synthesized through conversion from a composite of a Cu-based ceramic material and Fe3O4. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements reveal that the presence of Fe3O4 leads to the fast conversion and synthesis of HKUST-1 with small particle sizes. The prepared MOF co...

  14. Positive magnetoresistance in Fe3Se4 nanowires

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, D.; Jiang, J. J.; Liu, W.; Zhang, Z. D.

    2011-04-01

    We report the magnetotransport properties of Fe3Se4 nanowire arrays in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane. The temperature dependence of resistance of Fe3Se4 nanowires at a zero field shows thermal activated behavior below 295 K. The exponential relationship in resistance is consistent with the model of strong localization with variable-range hopping (VRH) for a finite one-dimensional wire. Resistance versus magnetic field curves below 100 K show small positive magnetoresistance (MR). The field dependencies of log[R(H)/R(0)] explain the positive MR as the effect of magnetic field on the VRH conduction.

  15. The FE-I4 pixel readout integrated circuit

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Garcia-Sciveres, M., E-mail: mgarcia-sciveres@bl.gov [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States); Arutinov, D.; Barbero, M. [University of Bonn, Bonn (Germany); Beccherle, R. [Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare Sezione di Genova, Genova (Italy); Dube, S.; Elledge, D. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States); Fleury, J. [Laboratoire de l' Accelerateur Lineaire, Orsay (France); Fougeron, D.; Gensolen, F. [Centre de Physique des Particules de Marseille, Marseille (France); Gnani, D. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States); Gromov, V. [Nationaal Instituut voor Subatomaire Fysica, Amsterdam (Netherlands); Hemperek, T.; Karagounis, M. [University of Bonn, Bonn (Germany); Kluit, R. [Nationaal Instituut voor Subatomaire Fysica, Amsterdam (Netherlands); Kruth, A. [University of Bonn, Bonn (Germany); Mekkaoui, A. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States); Menouni, M. [Centre de Physique des Particules de Marseille, Marseille (France); Schipper, J.-D. [Nationaal Instituut voor Subatomaire Fysica, Amsterdam (Netherlands)

    2011-04-21

    A new pixel readout integrated circuit denominated FE-I4 is being designed to meet the requirements of ATLAS experiment upgrades. It will be the largest readout IC produced to date for particle physics applications, filling the maximum allowed reticle area. This will significantly reduce the cost of future hybrid pixel detectors. In addition, FE-I4 will have smaller pixels and higher rate capability than the present generation of LHC pixel detectors. Design features are described along with simulation and test results, including low power and high rate readout architecture, mixed signal design strategy, and yield hardening.

  16. The structure of an LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4 and Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1 complex reveals a common mode of binding to LMO4.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Soumya Joseph

    Full Text Available LIM-domain only protein 4 (LMO4 is a widely expressed protein with important roles in embryonic development and breast cancer. It has been reported to bind many partners, including the transcription factor Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1, with which LMO4 shares many biological parallels. We used yeast two-hybrid assays to show that DEAF1 binds both LIM domains of LMO4 and that DEAF1 binds the same face on LMO4 as two other LMO4-binding partners, namely LIM domain binding protein 1 (LDB1 and C-terminal binding protein interacting protein (CtIP/RBBP8. Mutagenic screening analysed by the same method, indicates that the key residues in the interaction lie in LMO4LIM2 and the N-terminal half of the LMO4-binding domain in DEAF1. We generated a stable LMO4LIM2-DEAF1 complex and determined the solution structure of that complex. Although the LMO4-binding domain from DEAF1 is intrinsically disordered, it becomes structured on binding. The structure confirms that LDB1, CtIP and DEAF1 all bind to the same face on LMO4. LMO4 appears to form a hub in protein-protein interaction networks, linking numerous pathways within cells. Competitive binding for LMO4 therefore most likely provides a level of regulation between those different pathways.

  17. Effect of MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} content on magnetic and dielectric properties of poly (O-Phenylenediamine)/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kannapiran, Nagarajan [PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641020, Tamil Nadu (India); Muthusamy, Athianna, E-mail: muthusrkv@gmail.com [PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641020, Tamil Nadu (India); Chitra, Palanisamy [PG and Research Department of Chemistry, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641020, Tamil Nadu (India)

    2016-03-01

    Poly o-phenylenediamine (PoPD)/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites with three different ratios of MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (10%, 20%, 30% w/w) were synthesized by in-situ oxidative chemical polymerization method ammonium persulphate used as oxidant, while MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles was prepared by auto-combustion method. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of synthesized PoPD/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, UV–visible absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). FTIR spectra and XRD were confirmed the formation of the PoPD/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites. The morphology of PoPD/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites is visualized through SEM and TEM. The spherical morphology of the PoPD was confirmed using SEM analysis. Dielectric properties of PoPD/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites at different temperatures have been performed in the frequency range of 50 Hz–5 MHz. The optical absorption experiments of PoPD/MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocomposites reveal that the direct transition with an energy band gap is around 2 eV. - Highlights: • Green synthesis of PoPD (the polymerization carried out only in aqueous medium) by in-situ chemical polymerization method. • For the first time, PoPD incorporated with MnCuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} with lesser particle size. • The auto combustion reaction, support to achieve less particle size. • Ferrite content affects the magnetic properties of the nanocomposites.

  18. Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of LiFePO4/C for Lithium Ion Batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gao, Hong; Wang, Jiazhao; Yin, Shengyu; Zheng, Hao; Wang, Shengfu; Feng, Chuanqi; Wang, Shiquan

    2015-03-01

    LiFePO4/C was prepared through a facile rheological phase reaction method by using Fe3(PO4)2, Li3PO4 · 8H2O, and glucose as reactants. The LiFePO4/C samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical properties of the samples were investigated. The results show that the LiFePO4/C samples have single-phase olivine-type structure, and their particles feature a spherical shape. The carbon coating on the particles of LiFePO4 is about 1.8% of the LiFePO4/C by weight. The particle size was distributed from 0.2 to 1 µm. The initial discharge capacity of LiFePO4/C reached 154 mA h/g at 0.1 C. The retained discharge capacity of LiFePO4/C was 152.9 mA h g(-1) after 50 cycles. The LiFePO4/C also showed better cycling performance than that of the bare LiPeO4 at a higher charge/discharge rate (1 C). The LIFePO4/C prepared in this way could be a promising cathode material for lithium ion battery application.

  19. Fe2O3/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Fe3O4 Composite in Situ Grown on Fe Foil for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Chongjun; Shao, Xiaoxiao; Zhang, Yuxiao; Qian, Xiuzhen

    2016-11-09

    A Fe 2 O 3 /reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite in situ grown on Fe foil was synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal growth process, where the iron foil served as support, reductant of graphene oxide, Fe source of Fe 3 O 4 , and also the current collector of the electrode. When it directly acted as the electrode of a supercapacitor, as-synthesized Fe 2 O 3 /RGO/Fe 3 O 4 @Fe exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with a high capability of 337.5 mF/cm 2 at 20 mA/cm 2 and a superior cyclability with 2.3% capacity loss from the 600th to the 2000th cycle.

  20. A dimer of the Toll-like receptor 4 cytoplasmic domain provides a specific scaffold for the recruitment of signalling adaptor proteins.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ricardo Núñez Miguel

    2007-08-01

    Full Text Available The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 is a class I transmembrane receptor expressed on the surface of immune system cells. TLR4 is activated by exposure to lipopolysaccharides derived from the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria and forms part of the innate immune response in mammals. Like other class 1 receptors, TLR4 is activated by ligand induced dimerization, and recent studies suggest that this causes concerted conformational changes in the receptor leading to self association of the cytoplasmic Toll/Interleukin 1 receptor (TIR signalling domain. This homodimerization event is proposed to provide a new scaffold that is able to bind downstream signalling adaptor proteins. TLR4 uses two different sets of adaptors; TRAM and TRIF, and Mal and MyD88. These adaptor pairs couple two distinct signalling pathways leading to the activation of interferon response factor 3 (IRF-3 and nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB respectively. In this paper we have generated a structural model of the TLR4 TIR dimer and used molecular docking to probe for potential sites of interaction between the receptor homodimer and the adaptor molecules. Remarkably, both the Mal and TRAM adaptors are strongly predicted to bind at two symmetry-related sites at the homodimer interface. This model of TLR4 activation is supported by extensive functional studies involving site directed mutagenesis, inhibition by cell permeable peptides and stable protein phosphorylation of receptor and adaptor TIR domains. Our results also suggest a molecular mechanism for two recent findings, the caspase 1 dependence of Mal signalling and the protective effects conferred by the Mal polymorphism Ser180Leu.

  1. ZnFe2O4-C/LiFePO4-CNT: A Novel High-Power Lithium-Ion Battery with Excellent Cycling Performance.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Varzi, Alberto; Bresser, Dominic; von Zamory, Jan; Müller, Franziska; Passerini, Stefano

    2014-07-15

    An innovative and environmentally friendly battery chemistry is proposed for high power applications. A carbon-coated ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticle-based anode and a LiFePO 4 -multiwalled carbon nanotube-based cathode, both aqueous processed with Na-carboxymethyl cellulose, are combined, for the first time, in a Li-ion full cell with exceptional electrochemical performance. Such novel battery shows remarkable rate capabilities, delivering 50% of its nominal capacity at currents corresponding to ≈20C (with respect to the limiting cathode). Furthermore, the pre-lithiation of the negative electrode offers the possibility of tuning the cell potential and, therefore, achieving remarkable gravimetric energy and power density values of 202 Wh kg -1 and 3.72 W kg -1 , respectively, in addition to grant a lithium reservoir. The high reversibility of the system enables sustaining more than 10 000 cycles at elevated C-rates (≈10C with respect to the LiFePO 4 cathode), while retaining up to 85% of its initial capacity.

  2. Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Activities of Copper Ferrite (CuFe2O4 and Zinc Ferrite (ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Sol-Gel Self-Combustion Method

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Samikannu Kanagesan

    2016-08-01

    Full Text Available Spinel copper ferrite (CuFe2O4 and zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel self-combustion technique. The structural, functional, morphological and magnetic properties of the samples were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM. XRD patterns conform to the copper ferrite and zinc ferrite formation, and the average particle sizes were calculated by using a transmission electron microscope, the measured particle sizes being 56 nm for CuFe2O4 and 68 nm for ZnFe2O4. Both spinel ferrite nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 31 emug−1 for copper ferrite (50.63 Am2/Kg and 28.8 Am2/Kg for zinc ferrite. Both synthesized ferrite nanoparticles were equally effective in scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH free radicals. ZnFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 nanoparticles showed 30.57% ± 1.0% and 28.69% ± 1.14% scavenging activity at 125 µg/mL concentrations. In vitro cytotoxicity study revealed higher concentrations (>125 µg/mL of ZnFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 with increased toxicity against MCF-7 cells, but were found to be non-toxic at lower concentrations suggesting their biocompatibility.

  3. Neutron-scattering study of the magnetic structure of DyFe4Al8 and HoFe4Al8

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Paixao, J.A.; Silva, M.R.; Sørensen, S.Aa.

    2000-01-01

    The magnetic structures of DyFe4Al8 and HoFe4Al8, which have been reported to be unusual spin-glass systems, were studied in detail by neutron diffraction, using both unpolarized and polarized beams. In fact these compounds have long-range magnetic order in both the Fe and rare-earth sublattices....

  4. Damping constant measurement and inverse giant magnetoresistance in spintronic devices with Fe4N

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xuan Li

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available Fe4N is one of the attractive materials for spintronic devices due to its large spin asymmetric conductance and negative spin polarization at the Fermi level. We have successfully deposited Fe4N thin film with (001 out-of-plane orientation using a DC facing-target-sputtering system. A Fe(001/Ag(001 composite buffer layer is selected to improve the (001 orientation of the Fe4N thin film. The N2 partial pressure during sputtering is optimized to promote the formation of Fe4N phase. Moreover, we have measured the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR of the (001 oriented Fe4N thin film using coplanar waveguides and microwave excitation. The resonant fields are tested under different microwave excitation frequencies, and the experimental results match well with the Kittel formula. The Gilbert damping constant of Fe4N is determined to be α = 0.021±0.02. We have also fabricated and characterized the current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP giant magnetoresistance (GMR device with Fe4N/Ag/Fe sandwich. Inverse giant magnetoresistance is observed in the CPP GMR device, which suggests that the spin polarization of Fe4N and Fe4N/Ag interface is negative.

  5. Yolk-Shelled C@Fe3 O4 Nanoboxes as Efficient Sulfur Hosts for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    He, Jiarui; Luo, Liu; Chen, Yuanfu; Manthiram, Arumugam

    2017-09-01

    Owing to the high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mA h g -1 ) and low cost, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer advantages for next-generation energy storage. However, the polysulfide dissolution and low electronic conductivity of sulfur cathodes limit the practical application of Li-S batteries. To address such issues, well-designed yolk-shelled carbon@Fe 3 O 4 (YSC@Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoboxes as highly efficient sulfur hosts for Li-S batteries are reported here. With both physical entrapment by carbon shells and strong chemical interaction with Fe 3 O 4 cores, this unique architecture immobilizes the active material and inhibits diffusion of the polysulfide intermediates. Moreover, due to their high conductivity, the carbon shells and the polar Fe 3 O 4 cores facilitate fast electron/ion transport and promote continuous reactivation of the active material during the charge/discharge process, resulting in improved electrochemical utilization and reversibility. With these merits, the S/YSC@Fe 3 O 4 cathodes support high sulfur content (80 wt%) and loading (5.5 mg cm -2 ) and deliver high specific capacity, excellent rate capacity, and long cycling stability. This work provides a new perspective to design a carbon/metal-oxide-based yolk-shelled framework as a high sulfur-loading host for advanced Li-S batteries with superior electrochemical properties. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Magnetic biodegradable Fe3O4/CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes for bone regeneration

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wei Yan; Zhang Xuehui; Hu Xiaoyang; Deng Xuliang; Song Yu; Lin Yuanhua; Han Bing; Wang Xinzhi

    2011-01-01

    In recent years, interest in magnetic biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering has increased considerably. The aim of this study is to develop magnetic biodegradable fibrous materials with potential use in bone regeneration. Magnetic biodegradable Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan (CS)/poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes were achieved by electrospinning with average fiber diameters ranging from 230 to 380 nm and porosity of 83.9-85.1%. The influences of polymer concentration, applied voltage and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles loading on the fabrication of nanofibers were investigated. The polymer concentration of 4.5 wt%, applied voltage of 20 kV and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles loading of lower than 5 wt% could produce homogeneous, smooth and continuous Fe 3 O 4 /CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed that the crystalline structure of the Fe 3 O 4 , CS and PVA were maintained during electrospinning process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated that the Fe 3 O 4 loading up to 5 wt% did not change the functional groups of CS/PVA greatly. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed islets of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles evenly distributed in the fibers. Weak ferrimagnetic behaviors of membranes were revealed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) test. Tensile test exhibited Young's modulus of membranes that were gradually enhanced with the increase of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles loading, while ultimate tensile stress and ultimate strain were slightly reduced by Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles loading of 5%. Additionally, MG63 human osteoblast-like cells were seeded on the magnetic nanofibrous membranes to evaluate their bone biocompatibility. Cell growth dynamics according to MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation exhibited good cell adhesion and proliferation, suggesting that this magnetic biodegradable Fe 3 O 4 /CS/PVA nanofibrous membranes can be one of promising biomaterials for facilitation of osteogenesis.

  7. Mesoporous Fe3O4/hydroxyapatite composite for targeted drug delivery

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gu, Lina; He, Xiaomei; Wu, Zhenyu

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Mesoporous Fe 3 O 4 /hydroxyapatite composite was synthesized by a simple, efficient and environmental friendly method. • The prepared material had a large surface area, high pore volume, and good magnetic separability. • DOX-loaded Fe 3 O 4 /hydroxyapatite composite exhibited surprising slow drug release behavior and pH-dependent behavior. - Abstract: In this contribution, we introduced a simple, efficient, and green method of preparing a mesoporous Fe 3 O 4 /hydroxyapatite (HA) composite. The as-prepared material had a large surface area, high pore volume, and good magnetic separability, which made it suitable for targeted drug delivery systems. The chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) was used to investigate the drug release behavior of Fe 3 O 4 /HA composite. The drug release profiles displayed a little burst effect and pH-dependent behavior. The release rate of DOX at pH 5.8 was larger than that at pH 7.4, which could be attributed to DOX protonation in acid medium. In addition, the released DOX concentrations remained at 0.83 and 1.39 μg/ml at pH 7.4 and 5.8, respectively, which indicated slow, steady, and safe release rates. Therefore, the as-prepared Fe 3 O 4 /hydroxyapatite composite could be an efficient platform for targeted anticancer drug delivery

  8. Study of magnetization and magnetoelectricity in CoFe2O4/BiFeO3 core-shell composites

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kuila, S.; Tiwary, Sweta; Sahoo, M. R.; Barik, A.; Babu, P. D.; Siruguri, V.; Birajdar, B.; Vishwakarma, P. N.

    2018-02-01

    CoFe2O4 (core)/BiFeO3 (shell) nanoparticles are prepared by varying the relative molar concentration of core and shell materials (40%CoFe2O4-60%BiFeO3, 50%CoFe2O4-50%BiFeO3, and 60%CoFe2O4-40%BiFeO3). The core-shell nature is confirmed from transmission electron microscopy on these samples. A plot of ΔM (=MFC-MZFC) vs temperature suggests the presence of two types of spin dynamics: (a) particle size dependent spin blocking and (b) spin-disorder. These two spin dynamic processes are found to contribute independently to the generation of magnetoelectric voltage. Very clear first order and second order magnetoelectric voltages are recorded. The resemblance of the first order magnetoelectric coefficient vs temperature plot to that of building up of order parameters in the mean field theory suggests that spin disorder can act like one of the essential ingredients in building the magnetoelectric coupling. The best result is obtained for the 50-50 composition sample, which may be due to better coupling of magnetostrictive CoFe2O4, and piezoelectric BiFeO3, because of the optimum thickness of shell and core.

  9. Binding of host-selective toxin analogs to mitochondria from normal and Texas male sterile cytoplasm maize

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Frantzen, K.A.; Daly, J.M.; Knoche, H.W.

    1987-01-01

    Tritium-labeled toxin analogs were prepared by reduction with NaB 3 H 4 of either the toxin from Helminthosporium maydis race T or a toxin component from Phyllosticta maydis. These reduced analogs had high radiochemical specific activities, high biological activities, and plant specificities identical to the native toxins. A filtration assay was developed to test the binding of these labeled analogs to isolated mitochondria. Binding was not energy dependent nor was there measurable matrical uptake. The analogs were shown to be lipophilic, a characteristic which gave rise to considerable nondisplaceable binding. Under conditions limiting nondisplaceable binding, the displaceable binding was shown to be linear with respect to toxin concentration and unsaturable. No significant differences were observed in the binding characteristics between the mitochondria from normal and male-sterile (Texas) cytoplasm maize. The findings suggest that, at physiologically relevant concentrations, these toxin analogs permeate the membranes of susceptible and resistant mitochondria alike. The lack of demonstrable specific binding does not rule out the involvement of a classical receptor site but does indicate that other kinds of molecular interactions may be involved in the mechanisms for toxicity and specificity

  10. Interface interaction in the B4C/(Fe-B-C) system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aizenshtein, M.; Mizrahi, I.; Froumin, N.; Hayun, S.; Dariel, M.P.; Frage, N.

    2008-01-01

    The wetting behavior in the B 4 C/(Fe-C-B) system was investigated in order to clarify the role of Fe additions on the sinterability of B 4 C. Iron and its alloys with C and B react with the boron carbide substrate and form a reaction zone consisting of a fine mixture of FeB and graphite. The apparent contact angles are relatively low for the alloys with a moderate concentration of the boron and carbon and allow liquid phase sintering to occur in the B 4 C-Fe mixtures. A dilatometric study of the sintering kinetics confirms that liquid phase sintering actually takes place and leads to improved mass transfer. A thermodynamic analysis of the ternary Fe-B-C system allows accounting for the experimental observations

  11. Effect of reducing agents on low-temperature synthesis of nanostructured LiFePO4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kulka, Andrzej; Walczak, Katarzyna; Zając, Wojciech; Molenda, Janina

    2017-09-01

    Simple co-precipitation synthesis procedure yielding nanometric LiFePO4 with enhanced electrochemical properties without any post-synthesis heat treatment is presented. XRD, SEM and TEM analysis of the obtained powders revealed platelet crystallites and well crystalized bulk structure. Effective way of decreasing amount of Fe3+ containing phases by addition of reducing agents (KI, (NH4)2S2O3, glucose and the atmosphere of 5%H2-95%Ar) during low-temperature (107 °C) synthesis is described. The traditional analytical chemistry methods or the Mӧssbauer spectroscopy methods revealed that utilization of selected reducing agents diminished Fe3+ concentration from 25 to 12 at%. The constructed cells with optimized LiFePO4 as a cathode material showed superior electrochemical performances, including high reversible capacity up to 162 mAh/g at C/10 current discharge rate, flat voltage plateau with a value close to 3.45 V vs. Li0/+.

  12. Identification of leukotriene D4 specific binding sites in the membrane preparation isolated from guinea pig lung

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mong, S.; Wu, H.L.; Clark, M.A.; Stadel, J.M.; Gleason, J.G.; Crooke, S.T.

    1984-01-01

    A radioligand binding assay has been established to study leukotriene specific binding sites in the guinea pig and rabbit tissues. Using high specific activity [ 3 H]-leukotriene D4 [( 3 H]-LTD4), in the presence or absence of unlabeled LTD4, the diastereoisomer of LTD4 (5R,6S-LTD4), leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and the end-organ antagonist, FPL 55712, the authors have identified specific binding sites for [ 3 H]-LTD4 in the crude membrane fraction isolated from guinea pig lung. The time required for [ 3 H]-LTD4 binding to reach equilibrium was approximately 20 to 25 min at 37 degrees C in the presence of 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5) containing 150 mM NaCl. The binding of [ 3 H]-LTD4 to the specific sites was saturable, reversible and stereospecific. The maximal number of binding sites (Bmax), derived from Scatchard analysis, was approximately 320 +/- 200 fmol per mg of crude membrane protein. The dissociation constants, derived from kinetic and saturation analyses, were 9.7 nM and 5 +/- 4 nM, respectively. The specific binding sites could not be detected in the crude membrane fraction prepared from guinea pig ileum, brain and liver, or rabbit lung, trachea, ileum and uterus. In radioligand competition experiments, LTD4, FPL 55712 and 5R,6S-LTD4 competed with [ 3 H]-LTD4. The metabolic inhibitors of arachidonic acid and SKF 88046, an antagonist of the indirectly-mediated actions of LTD4, did not significantly compete with [ 3 H]-LTD4 at the specific binding sites. These correlations indicated that these specific binding sites may be the putative leukotriene receptors in the guinea-pig lung

  13. Characterization of guinea pig myocardial leukotriene C4 binding sites. Regulation by cations and sulfhydryl-directed reagents

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hogaboom, G.K.; Mong, S.; Stadel, J.M.; Crooke, S.T.

    1985-01-01

    Using [ 3 H]leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and radioligand-binding techniques, specific leukotriene C4 binding sites have been identified in membranes derived from guinea pig ventricular myocardium. High performance liquid chromatography analyses indicated that, in the presence of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase inhibitor L-serine-borate (80 mM), less than 2% of membrane-bound [ 3 H]LTC4 was converted at 20 degrees to [ 3 H]leukotriene D4 or [ 3 H]leukotriene E4. The specific binding of 4 nM [ 3 H]LTC4, in the presence of 80 mM L-serine-borate, reached a stable steady state within 15 min at 20 degrees (pH 7.5). A monophasic Scatchard plot of saturation binding data yielded a dissociation constant (Kd) of 27.5 +/- 6.0 nM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 19.9 +/- 5.2 pmol/mg of membrane protein. Competition binding studies of [ 3 H]LTC4 with synthetic leukotriene C4, leukotriene D4, and leukotriene E4 and the putative peptidoleukotriene antagonists FPL 55712, SKF 88046, and 4R-hydroxy-5S-1-cysteinylglycine-6Z-nonadecanoic acid revealed an order of potency of leukotriene C4 much greater than 4R-hydroxy-5S-1-cysteinylglycine-6Z-nonadecanoic acid greater than SKF 88046 greater than LTE4 greater than LTD4 greater than FPL 55712. The specific [ 3 H]LTC4 binding was stimulated by the divalent cations Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ and to a lesser degree by the monovalent cations Na+, K+, Li+, and NH4+. CaCl2 (3 mM) and NaCl (150 mM) stimulated the LTC4 binding by increasing the Bmax to 42.6 +/- 5.9 and 35.0 +/- 2.0 pmol/mg, respectively, but had minimal effects on Kd

  14. Layered ordering of vacancies of lead iron phosphate Pb{sub 3}Fe{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Malakho, A.P. [Moscow State Univ., Dept. of Material Science (Russian Federation); Morozov, V.A.; Pokholok, V.; Lazoryak, B.I. [Moscow State Univ., Dept. of Chemisty (Russian Federation); Morozov, V.A.; Van Tendeloo, G. [Antwerp Univ., EMAT (Belgium)

    2005-07-01

    Lead iron phosphate Pb{sub 3}Fe{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4} has been synthesized by solid state method and characterized by X-ray powder and electron diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, Moessbauer and infrared spectroscopy. A structural model for Pb{sub 3}Fe{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 4} is proposed and is refined by the Rietveld method. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}/c with a=9.0065(6) Angstroms, b=9.0574(6) Angstroms, c=9.3057(6) Angstroms, {beta}=116.880(4) degrees, V=677.10(8) (Angstroms){sup 3}, Z=2, R{sub wp}=3.52%, R{sub p}=2.66%. It exhibits a structure with a three-dimensional open framework. The 3D framework is formed by PO{sub 4} tetrahedra and FeO{sub 6} octahedra connected via common vertices. 3/4 of cavities in the framework are occupied by lead and 1/4 are vacant. (authors)

  15. The influence of oxidation process on exchange bias in egg-shaped FeO/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core/shell nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Leszczyński, Błażej, E-mail: b.leszczynski@amu.edu.pl [NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Hadjipanayis, George C.; El-Gendy, Ahmed A. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, 217 Sharp Lab, Newark, DE 19716 (United States); Załęski, Karol [NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Śniadecki, Zbigniew [Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Smoluchowskiego 17, 60-179 Poznań (Poland); Musiał, Andrzej [NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Smoluchowskiego 17, 60-179 Poznań (Poland); Jarek, Marcin [NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Jurga, Stefan [NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland); Skumiel, Andrzej [Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań (Poland)

    2016-10-15

    Egg-shaped nanoparticles with a core–shell morphology were synthesized by thermal decomposition of an iron oleate complex. XRD and M(T) magnetic measurements confirmed the presence of FeO (wustite) and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (magnetite) phases in the nanoparticles. Oxidation of FeO to Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} was found to be the mechanism for the shell formation. As-made nanoparticles exhibited high values of exchange bias at 2 K. Oxidation led to decrease of exchange field from 2880 Oe (in as-made sample) to 330 Oe (in oxidized sample). At temperatures higher than the Néel temperature of FeO (200 K) there was no exchange bias. An interesting observation was made showing the exchange field to be higher than the coercive field at temperatures close to magnetite's Verwey transition. - Highlights: • Synthesis of monodispersed FeO nanoparticles is shown. • As-made FeO nanoparticle is antiferromagnetically ordered, when it is oxidized to Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, the FeO core becomes small and disordered. • Exchange bias in well-ordered and disordered core is different.

  16. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for potential application in radiosensitization

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hidayatullah, M; Nurhasanah, I; Budi, W S

    2016-01-01

    Radiosensitizer is a material that can increase the effects of radiation in radiotherapy application. Various materials with high effective atomic number have been developed as a radiosensitizer, such as metal, iron oxide and quantum dot. In this study, ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles are included in iron oxide class were synthesized by precipitation method from the solution of zinc nitrate and ferrite nitrate and followed by calcination at 700° C for 3 hours. The XRD pattern shows that most of the observed peaks can be indexed to the cubic phase of ZnFe 2 O 4 with a lattice parameter of 8.424 Å. SEM image reveals that nanoparticles are the sphere-like shape with size in the range 84-107 nm. The ability of ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles as radiosensitizer was examined by loading those nanoparticles into Escherichia coli cell culture which irradiated with photon energy of 6 MV at a dose of 2 Gy. ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles showed ability to increase the absorbed dose by 0.5 to 1.0 cGy/g. In addition, the presence of 1 g/L ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles resulted in an increase radiation effect by 6.3% higher than if exposed to radiation only. These results indicated that ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles can be used as the radiosensitizer for increasing radiation effect in radiotherapy. (paper)

  17. The crystal structure of franckeite, Pb21.7Sn9.3Fe4.0Sb8.1S56.9

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Makovicky, Emil; Petricek, Vaclav; Dusek, Michal

    2011-01-01

    and forms a homologous pair with cylindrite, which has thinner Q slabs. The Q slabs in franckeite are four atomic layers thick. The two components have their own lattices and a common modulation. The Q slab of the refined franckeite structure, Pb21.74Sn9.34Fe3.95Sb8.08S56.87, is an MS layer (M = Pb2+, Sn2...... layer (M = Sn4+, Fe2+) with a = 3.665(8), b = 6.2575(16), c = 17.419(5) Å, a = 95.25(2)°, ß = 95.45(2)°, ¿ = 89.97(2)°; the modulation vector is q = –0.00087(8) a* + 0.13725(16) b* – 0.0314(4) c*. The a and b vectors of both subsystems are parallel; the c vectors diverge. (3+2)D superspace refinement...... was refined as Pb0.74(Sn,Sb)0.26, whereas that of cations, which are adjacent to the interspace with lone electron pairs, with a configuration analogous to that observed in orthorhombic SnS, corresponds to (Sn,Sb)0.73Pb0.27. Iron is dispersed over the octahedral Sn4+ sites in the H layer. Transversal...

  18. Use of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Biosensor Response to the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

    Science.gov (United States)

    Loh, Kee-Shyuan; Lee, Yook Heng; Musa, Ahmad; Salmah, Abdul Aziz; Zamri, Ishak

    2008-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4 were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were found to have an average diameter of 5.48 ±1.37 nm. An electrochemical biosensor based on immobilized alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles was studied. The amperometric biosensor was based on the reaction of ALP with the substrate ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P). The incorporation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles together with ALP into a sol gel/chitosan biosensor membrane has led to the enhancement of the biosensor response, with an improved linear response range to the substrate AA2P (5-120 μM) and increased sensitivity. Using the inhibition property of the ALP, the biosensor was applied to the determination of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The use of Fe3O4 nanoparticles gives a two-fold improvement in the sensitivity towards 2,4-D, with a linear response range of 0.5-30 μgL-1. Exposure of the biosensor to other toxicants such as heavy metals demonstrated only slight interference from metals such as Hg2+, Cu2+, Ag2+ and Pb2+. The biosensor was shown to be useful for the determination of the herbicide 2, 4-D because good recovery of 95-100 percent was obtained, even though the analysis was performed in water samples with a complex matrix. Furthermore, the results from the analysis of 2,4-D in water samples using the biosensor correlated well with a HPLC method. PMID:27873839

  19. The C-terminal random coil region tunes the Ca²⁺-binding affinity of S100A4 through conformational activation.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Annette Duelli

    Full Text Available S100A4 interacts with many binding partners upon Ca2+ activation and is strongly associated with increased metastasis formation. In order to understand the role of the C-terminal random coil for the protein function we examined how small angle X-ray scattering of the wild-type S100A4 and its C-terminal deletion mutant (residues 1-88, Δ13 changes upon Ca2+ binding. We found that the scattering intensity of wild-type S100A4 changes substantially in the 0.15-0.25 Å-1 q-range whereas a similar change is not visible in the C-terminus deleted mutant. Ensemble optimization SAXS modeling indicates that the entire C-terminus is extended when Ca2+ is bound. Pulsed field gradient NMR measurements provide further support as the hydrodynamic radius in the wild-type protein increases upon Ca2+ binding while the radius of Δ13 mutant does not change. Molecular dynamics simulations provide a rational explanation of the structural transition: the positively charged C-terminal residues associate with the negatively charged residues of the Ca2+-free EF-hands and these interactions loosen up considerably upon Ca2+-binding. As a consequence the Δ13 mutant has increased Ca2+ affinity and is constantly loaded at Ca2+ concentration ranges typically present in cells. The activation of the entire C-terminal random coil may play a role in mediating interaction with selected partner proteins of S100A4.

  20. Electrochemical sensing behaviour of Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Suresh, R.; Giribabu, K.; Manigandan, R.; Narayanan, V., E-mail: vnnara@yahoo.co.in [Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025 (India); Vijayalakshmi, L. [Annai Veilankanni' s College for Women (Arts and Science), Saidapet, Chennai 600015 (India); Stephen, A. [Department of Nuclear Physics, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025 (India)

    2014-01-28

    Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by simple hydrothermal method. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, DRS-UV-Visible spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The XRD confirms the phase purity of the synthesized Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. The optical property of Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were studied by DRS UV-Visible analysis. The electrochemical sensing property of pure and Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were examined using uric acid as an analyte. The obtained results indicated that the Ni doped Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity towards uric acid.

  1. Facile synthesis, dielectric properties and electrocatalytic activities of PMMA-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Maji, Pranabi; Choudhary, Ram Bilash

    2017-01-01

    The paper deals with the dielectric and catalytic properties of poly (methyl methacrylate)-nikel ferrite (PMMA-NiFe 2 O 4 ) nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was prepared by using a general and facile synthesis strategy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra confirmed the formation of PMMA-NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite. Field effect scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images revealed that NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed and were tightly adhered with PMMA matrix owing to surface modification with 3-methacryloyloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (KH-570). Thermal stability was enhanced by incorporation of NiFe 2 O 4 nanofillers. The nanocomposite showed high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss. The achieved dielectric and thermal property inferred the potential application of this material in energy storage and embedded electronics devices. Further, the as prepared nanocomposite also offered a remarkable electrochemical performance towards hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) sensing. - Highlights: • PMMA-NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite was synthesized via free radical polymerization. • The nanocomposite exhibited high value of dielectric constant (51) and tanδ (0.3). • Thermal stability of the PMMA matrix was improved by the incorporation of NiFe 2 O 4. • The H 2 O 2 detection limit was estimated 44 μM when signal to noise (S/N) ration was 3. • The electrochemical sensitivity of H 2 O 2 was calculated 0.6727 μA mM -1 .

  2. Core-Shell Nano structure of a-Fe2O3/Fe3O4: Synthesis and Photo catalysis for Methyl Orange

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tian, Y.; Wu, D.; Yu, B.; Jia, X.; Zhan, S.

    2011-01-01

    Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle was synthesized in the solution involving water and ethanol. Then, a-Fe 2 O 3 shell was produced in situ on the surface of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle by surface oxidation in molten salts, forming α-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 core-shell nano structure. It was showed that the magnetic properties transformed from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism after the primary Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were oxidized. Furthermore, the obtained a-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles were used to photo catalyse solution of methyl orange, and the results revealed that a-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were more efficient than the self-prepared α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. At the same time, the photo catalyzer was recyclable by applying an appropriate magnetic field.

  3. Spin Polarization Inversion at Benzene-Absorbed Fe4N Surface

    KAUST Repository

    Zhang, Qian; Mi, Wenbo; Wang, Xiaocha; Wang, Xuhui

    2015-01-01

    We report a first-principle study on electronic structure and simulation of the spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy graphic of a benzene/Fe4N interface. Fe4N is a compound ferromagnet suitable for many spintronic applications. We found that, depending on the particular termination schemes and interface configurations, the spin polarization on the benzene surface shows a rich variety of properties ranging from cosine-type oscillation to polarization inversion. Spin-polarization inversion above benzene is resulting from the hybridizations between C pz and the out-of-plane d orbitals of Fe atom.

  4. Spin Polarization Inversion at Benzene-Absorbed Fe4N Surface

    KAUST Repository

    Zhang, Qian

    2015-05-27

    We report a first-principle study on electronic structure and simulation of the spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy graphic of a benzene/Fe4N interface. Fe4N is a compound ferromagnet suitable for many spintronic applications. We found that, depending on the particular termination schemes and interface configurations, the spin polarization on the benzene surface shows a rich variety of properties ranging from cosine-type oscillation to polarization inversion. Spin-polarization inversion above benzene is resulting from the hybridizations between C pz and the out-of-plane d orbitals of Fe atom.

  5. PREPARATION,COMPLEX MECHANISM AND STRUCTURE MODEL OF METALLOPHTHALOC- YANINE-Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES COMPOSITE

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    2000-01-01

    MPc-Fe3O4-nanoparticles composite(M=Co, Cu, Ni, Mn) have been prepared and the factors that influence their mean size have been studied. The mean size of the nanoparticles composite increase with the increase of complex temperature. The interaction of MPc with Fe3O4 nanoparticles has been studied. There are M-O covalent bonding and ionic bonding between MPc and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The intensities of M-O bonding and ionic bonding are in vestigated .The complex mechanism of MPc with Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been studied. First, there are complex between MPc and all Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Then, Fe3O4 nanoparticles accumulate together to form the accumulators, MPc have the function of cohering Fe3O4 nanoparticles. A considerable number of MPc combine with Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of the accumulators to form MPc-Fe3O4 nanoparticles composite. All the above proesses take place spontaneously. The structure model of MPc-Fe3O4 nanoparticles composite has also been investigated. Inside the MPc-Fe3O4 nanoparticles composite, Fe3O4 nanoparticles accumulate together without order, on the surface of the composite, MPc form molecular dispersion layer. The threshold of molecular dispersion layer are also investigated.

  6. Utilizing recycled LiFePO4 from batteries in combination with B@C3N4 and CuFe2O4 as sustainable nano-junctions for high performance degradation of atenolol.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kumar, Amit; Kumari, Anu; Sharma, Gaurav; Naushad, Mu; Ahamad, Tansir; Stadler, Florian J

    2018-06-18

    In this report recycled LiFePO 4 (LFP) from exhaust batteries was utilized to form B@C 3 N 4 /LiFePO 4 /CuFe 2 O 4 (BLC) nano-junction as a visible active photocatalyst. The junction synthesized by two routes: Using as extracted LFP and forming LFP by extracted FePO 4 and Li 2 CO 3 via in-situ deposition method. The two ternary junctions BLC and BLC (E) (utilizing as extracted LFP) were utilized for visible and solar powered degradation of beta-blocker drug Atenolol (ATL). Varying the loading of CuFe 2 O 4 (CF) which possesses lowest band gap, BLC (10%), BLC-3 (30%), BLC-5 (50%) and BLC-E (30% CF and as extracted LFP) were produced with BLC-3 exhibiting remarkable activity. The optical band gaps of BLC-3 (2.40 eV) and BLC (E) (2.46 eV) and photocurrent responses reveal high visible absorption and highly diminished recombination. 99.5% and 85.3% of ATL (20 mg L -1 ) could be degraded by BLC-3 and BLC (E) (0.3 g L -1 ) respectively in 60 min of exposure to Xe lamp and retaining of high activity in natural sunlight. Band-junction analysis, effect of scavengers and effect on teraphthalic acid and nitroblue tetrazolium reveal O 2 - and OH radicals as active species and mineralization was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Cyto-toxicity studies on human peripheral blood cells and effect on growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa confirm the complete mineralization. The BLC photocatalyst is a promising multi-functional catalyst utilizing LFP (rarely used as photocatalyst) for treatment of pharmaceutical waste water and other environmental applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Study of LiFePO{sub 4} cathode materials coated with high surface area carbon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lu, Cheng-Zhang; Fey, George Ting-Kuo [Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li 32054 (China); Kao, Hsien-Ming [Department of Chemistry, National Central University, Chung-Li 32054 (China)

    2009-04-01

    LiFePO{sub 4} is a potential cathode material for 4 V lithium-ion batteries. Carbon-coated lithium iron phosphates were prepared using a high surface area carbon to react precursors through a solid-state process, during which LiFePO{sub 4} particles were embedded in amorphous carbon. The carbonaceous materials were synthesized by the pyrolysis of peanut shells under argon, where they were carbonized in a two-step process that occurred between 573 and 873 K. The shells were also treated with a proprietary porogenic agent with the goal of altering the pore structure and surface area of the pyrolysis products. The electrochemical properties of the as-prepared LiFePO{sub 4}/C composite cathode materials were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, element mapping, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. In LiFePO{sub 4}/C composites, the carbon not only increases rate capability, but also stabilizes capacity. In fact, the capacity of the composites increased with the specific surface area of carbon. The best result was observed with a composite made of 8.0 wt.% with a specific surface area of 2099 m{sup 2} g{sup -1}. When high surface area carbon was used as a carbon source to produce LiFePO{sub 4}, overall conductivity increased from 10{sup -8} to 10{sup -4} S cm{sup -1}, because the inhibition of particle growth during the final sintering process led to greater specific capacity, improved cycling properties and better rate capability compared to a pure olivine LiFePO{sub 4} material. (author)

  8. One-pot hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of rGO/MnFe2O4 nanocomposites

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kotutha, Isara; Swatsitang, Ekaphan; Meewassana, Worawat; Maensiri, Santi

    2015-06-01

    In this work, a simple facile route for preparing an rGO/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite through a one-pot hydrothermal approach was demonstrated. Graphite oxide (GO) was prepared from graphite powder by a modified Hummers method. Fe(NO3)2 • 9H2O and Mn(NO3)2 • H2O were used as the precursors for the preparation of the rGO/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite. The formation of the rGO/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Rama spectroscopy (Raman). The specific surface area of the prepared composite obtained by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis was lower than that of pure rGO but higher than that of pure MnFe2O4. Consequently, the electrochemical performance was investigated by using a three-electrode cell system in 6.0 M KOH. The results show that the specific capacitance was determined to be 190.3, 276.9, and 144.5 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, and 194.9, 274.6, and 134.4 F/g at a current density of 5.0 A/g for rGO, rGO/(5 mmol) MnFe2O4, and rGO/(10 mmol) MnFe2O4, respectively. These results suggest that the composite of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles on an rGO nanosheet can improve the capacitive behavior of the fabricated electrode, but the electrochemical properties are reduced when the MnFe2O4 concentration ratio is high.

  9. Effect of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Skin Tumor Cells and Dermal Fibroblasts

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lirija Alili

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Iron oxide (Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been used in many biomedical approaches. The toxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on mammalian cells was published recently. Though, little is known about the viability of human cells after treatment with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Herein, we examined the toxicity, production of reactive oxygen species, and invasive capacity after treatment of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF and cells of the squamous tumor cell line (SCL-1 with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles had an average size of 65 nm. Fe3O4 nanoparticles induced oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS and subsequent initiation of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the question was addressed of whether Fe3O4 nanoparticles affect myofibroblast formation, known to be involved in tumor invasion. Herein, Fe3O4 nanoparticles prevent the expression alpha-smooth muscle actin and therefore decrease the number of myofibroblastic cells. Moreover, our data show in vitro that concentrations of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which are nontoxic for normal cells, partially reveal a ROS-triggered cytotoxic but also a pro-invasive effect on the fraction of squamous cancer cells surviving the treatment with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The data herein show that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles appear not to be adequate for use in therapeutic approaches against cancer cells, in contrast to recently published data with cerium oxide nanoparticles.

  10. Fabrication, structure, and properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-C encapsulated with YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Shi Jianhui; Tong Lizhu; Liu Deming; Yang Hua, E-mail: huayang86@sina.com [Jilin University, College of Chemistry (China)

    2012-03-15

    The use of carbon shells offers many advantages in surface coating or surface modification due to their surface with activated carboxyl and carbonyl groups. In this study, the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-C-YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composites were prepared through a simple sol-gel process. Reactive carbon interlayer was introduced as a key component, which separates lanthanide-based luminescent component from the magnetite, more importantly, it effectively prevent oxidation of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core during the whole preparation process. The morphology, structure, magnetic, and luminescent properties of the composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, VSM, and photoluminescent spectrophotometer. As a result, the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-C/YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composites with well-crystallized and core-shell structure were prepared and the YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} luminescent layer decorating the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-C core-shell microspheres are about 10 nm. In addition, the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-C-YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} composites have the excellent magnetic and luminescent properties, which allow them great potential for bioapplications such as magnetic bioseparation, magnetic resonance imaging, and drug/gene delivery.

  11. Use of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Biosensor Response to the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ishak Zamri

    2008-09-01

    Full Text Available Magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4 were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were found to have an average diameter of 5.48 ±1.37 nm. An electrochemical biosensor based on immobilized alkaline phosphatase (ALP and Fe3O4 nanoparticles was studied. The amperometric biosensor was based on the reaction of ALP with the substrate ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P. The incorporation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles together with ALP into a sol gel/chitosan biosensor membrane has led to the enhancement of the biosensor response, with an improved linear response range to the substrate AA2P (5-120 μM and increased sensitivity. Using the inhibition property of the ALP, the biosensor was applied to the determination of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D. The use of Fe3O4 nanoparticles gives a two-fold improvement in the sensitivity towards 2,4-D, with a linear response range of 0.5-30 μgL-1. Exposure of the biosensor to other toxicants such as heavy metals demonstrated only slight interference from metals such as Hg2+, Cu2+, Ag2+ and Pb2+. The biosensor was shown to be useful for the determination of the herbicide 2, 4-D because good recovery of 95-100 percent was obtained, even though the analysis was performed in water samples with a complex matrix. Furthermore, the results from the analysis of 2,4-D in water samples using the biosensor correlated well with a HPLC method.

  12. Enhanced multiferroic properties in scandium doped Bi2Fe4O9

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dutta, Dimple P.; Tyagi, A. K.

    2013-01-01

    Undoped and Sc 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles have been synthesized using sonochemical method. The phase purity of the samples was checked using powder X-rau diffraction technique. EDS analysis was done to confirm the extent of Sc 3+ doping in the samples. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles have been analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles show a weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, which is quite different from the linear M–H relationship reported for bulk Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 . This is mainly attributed to the uncompensated moments at the disordered particle surface resulting from the reduced coordination of the surface spins, arising due to lattice strain or oxygen deficiency. Addition of Sc 3+ dopant in varying concentrations in these Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles, improves their magnetic as well as ferroelectric properties. The leakage current is considerably reduced and electric polarization increases significantly in case of Bi 2 Fe 4(1-x) Sc x O 9 (x = 0.1) nanoparticles. Hence it can be inferred that Sc 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles shows promise as good multiferroic materials.

  13. Pressure-induced magnetic transition in Fe sub 4 N probed by Fe K-edge XMCD measurement

    CERN Document Server

    Ishimatsu, N; Maruyama, H; Kawamura, N; Suzuki, M; Ohishi, Y; Ito, M; Nasu, S; Kawakami, T

    2003-01-01

    X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) of gamma'-iron nitride (Fe sub 4 N) was recorded at Fe K-edge under high pressure up to 27 GPa. The XMCD intensity decreased remarkably with pressure, and vanished at 24 GPa. Compressibility was measured by the X-ray diffraction method. These results indicate that Fe sub 4 N undergoes a second-order phase transition from the ferromagnetic state to a paramagnetic state without any structural change. The pressure-induced demagnetizing process is discussed in terms of the Fe magnetic states in the local environment.

  14. Magnetic Fe@g??C3N4: A Photoactive Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes

    Science.gov (United States)

    A photoactive catalyst, Fe@g-C3N4, has been developed for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes using hydrazine hydrate as a source of hydrogen. The magnetically separable Fe@g-C3N4 eliminates the use of high pressure hydrogenation, and the reaction can be accomplished using visible light without the need for external sources of energy.This dataset is associated with the following publication:Baig, N., S. Verma, R. Varma , and M. Nadagouda. Magnetic Fe@g-C3N4: A Photoactive Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, USA, 4(3): 1661-1664, (2016).

  15. Influence of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/Fe-phthalocyanine decorated graphene oxide on the microwave absorbing performance

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Jingwei; Wei, Junji; Pu, Zejun; Xu, Mingzhen; Jia, Kun, E-mail: jiakun@uestc.edu.cn; Liu, Xiaobo, E-mail: liuxb@uestc.edu.cn

    2016-02-01

    Novel graphene oxide@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/iron phthalocyanine (GO@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/FePc) hybrid materials were prepared through a facile one-step solvothermal method with graphene oxide (GO) sheets as template in ethylene glycol. The morphology and structure of the hybrid materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The results indicated that the monodispersed Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/FePc hybrid microspheres were uniformly self-assembled along the surface of GO sheets through electrostatic attraction and the morphology can be tuned by controlling the amount of 4,4′-bis(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)biphenyl (BPH). As the BPH content increases, magnetization measurement of the GO@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/FePc hybrid materials showed that the coercivity increased, while saturation magnetizations decreased. Electromagnetic properties of the hybrid materials were measured in the range of 0.5–18.0 GHz. The microwave absorbing performance enhanced with the increase of BPH content and a maximum reflection loss of −27.92 dB was obtained at 10.8 GHz when the matching thickness was 2.5 mm. Therefore, the novel electromagnetic hybrid materials can be considered as potential materials in the microwave absorbing field. - Highlights: • Graphene oxide was employed to support Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/iron phthalocyanine hybrid particles. • The morphology and magnetic properties of obtained particles can be readily tuned. • A maximum microwave reflection loss of −27.92 dB was obtained at 10.8 GHz.

  16. Fabrication of graphene oxide decorated with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} for immobilization of cellulase

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Yue; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Jiang, Xiao-Ping; Ye, Jing-Jing; Zhang, Ye-Wang, E-mail: zhangyewang@ujs.edu.cn [Jiangsu University, School of Pharmacy (China); Zhang, Xiao-Yun, E-mail: zhangxiaoyungu@126.com [Jiangsu University, School of Food and Biological Engineering (China)

    2015-01-15

    Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}–graphene oxide (GO) composites were successfully fabricated by chemical binding of functional Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} and GO and applied to immobilization of cellulase via covalent attachment. The prepared composites were further characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (NPs) were monodisperse spheres with a mean diameter of 17 ± 0.2 nm. The thickness of SiO{sub 2} layer was calculated as being 6.5 ± 0.2 nm. The size of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} NPs was 24 ± 0.3 nm, similar to that of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}–NH{sub 2}. Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}–GO composites were synthesized by linking of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}–NH{sub 2} NPs to GO with the catalysis of EDC and NHS. The prepared composites were used for immobilization of cellulase. A high immobilization yield and efficiency of above 90 % were obtained after the optimization. The half-life of immobilized cellulase (722 min) was 3.34-fold higher than that of free enzyme (216 min) at 50 °C. Compared with the free cellulase, the optimal temperature of the immobilized enzyme was not changed; but the optimal pH was shifted from 5.0 to 4.0, and the thermal stability was enhanced. The immobilized cellulase could be easily separated and reused under magnetic field. These results strongly indicate that the cellulase immobilized onto the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2}–GO composite has potential applications in the production of bioethanol.

  17. Identification of cisplatin-binding sites on the large cytoplasmic loop of the Na+/K+-ATPase.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Šeflová, Jaroslava; Čechová, Petra; Štenclová, Tereza; Šebela, Marek; Kubala, Martin

    2018-12-01

    Cisplatin is the most widely used chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of various types of cancer; however, its administration brings also numerous side effects. It was demonstrated that cisplatin can inhibit the Na + /K + -ATPase (NKA), which can explain a large part of the adverse effects. In this study, we have identified five cysteinyl residues (C452, C456, C457, C577, and C656) as the cisplatin binding sites on the cytoplasmic loop connecting transmembrane helices 4 and 5 (C45), using site-directed mutagenesis and mass spectrometry experiments. The identified residues are known to be susceptible to glutathionylation indicating their involvement in a common regulatory mechanism.

  18. Mössbauer spectroscopy study of magnetic fluctuations in superconducting RbGd2Fe4As4O2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Y.; Wang, Z. C.; Cao, G. H.; Zhang, J. M.; Zhang, B.; Wang, T.; Pang, H.; Li, F. S.; Li, Z. W.

    2018-05-01

    57Fe Mössbauer spectra were measured at different temperatures between 5.9 K and 300 K on the recently discovered self-doped superconducting RbGd2Fe4As4O2 with Tc as high as 35 K. Singlet pattern was observed down to the lowest temperature measured in this work, indicating the absence of static magnetic order on the Fe site. The intermediate isomer shift in comparison with that of the samples RbFe2As2 and GdFeAsO confirms the self doping induced local electronic structure change. Surprisingly, we observe two magnetic fluctuation induced spectral broadenings below ∼ 15 K and ∼ 100 K which are believed to be originated from the transferred magnetic fluctuations of the Gd3+ moments and that of the magnetic fluctuations of the Fe atoms, respectively.

  19. Alba-domain proteins of Trypanosoma brucei are cytoplasmic RNA-binding proteins that interact with the translation machinery.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jan Mani

    Full Text Available Trypanosoma brucei and related pathogens transcribe most genes as polycistronic arrays that are subsequently processed into monocistronic mRNAs. Expression is frequently regulated post-transcriptionally by cis-acting elements in the untranslated regions (UTRs. GPEET and EP procyclins are the major surface proteins of procyclic (insect midgut forms of T. brucei. Three regulatory elements common to the 3' UTRs of both mRNAs regulate mRNA turnover and translation. The glycerol-responsive element (GRE is unique to the GPEET 3' UTR and regulates its expression independently from EP. A synthetic RNA encompassing the GRE showed robust sequence-specific interactions with cytoplasmic proteins in electromobility shift assays. This, combined with column chromatography, led to the identification of 3 Alba-domain proteins. RNAi against Alba3 caused a growth phenotype and reduced the levels of Alba1 and Alba2 proteins, indicative of interactions between family members. Tandem-affinity purification and co-immunoprecipitation verified these interactions and also identified Alba4 in sub-stoichiometric amounts. Alba proteins are cytoplasmic and are recruited to starvation granules together with poly(A RNA. Concomitant depletion of all four Alba proteins by RNAi specifically reduced translation of a reporter transcript flanked by the GPEET 3' UTR. Pulldown of tagged Alba proteins confirmed interactions with poly(A binding proteins, ribosomal protein P0 and, in the case of Alba3, the cap-binding protein eIF4E4. In addition, Alba2 and Alba3 partially cosediment with polyribosomes in sucrose gradients. Alba-domain proteins seem to have exhibited great functional plasticity in the course of evolution. First identified as DNA-binding proteins in Archaea, then in association with nuclear RNase MRP/P in yeast and mammalian cells, they were recently described as components of a translationally silent complex containing stage-regulated mRNAs in Plasmodium. Our results are

  20. Reduced graphene oxide wrapped Fe3O4-Co3O4 yolk-shell nanostructures for advanced catalytic oxidation based on sulfate radicals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Lishu; Yang, Xijia; Han, Erfen; Zhao, Lijun; Lian, Jianshe

    2017-02-01

    In this work, we designed and synthesized a high performance catalyst of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) wrapped Fe3O4-Co3O4 (RGO/Fe3O4-Co3O4) yolk-shell nanostructures for advanced catalytic oxidation based on sulfate radicals. The synergistic catalytic action of the RGO/Fe3O4-Co3O4 yolk-shell nanostructures activate the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to produce sulfate radicals (SO4rad -) for organic dyes degradation, and the Orange II can be almost completely degradated in 5 min. Meanwhile the RGO wrapping prevents the loss of cobalt in the catalytic process, and the RGO/Fe3O4-Co3O4 can be recycled after catalyzed reaction due to the presence of magnetic iron core. What's more, it can maintain almost the same high catalytic activity even after 10 cycles through repeated NaBH4 reduction treatment. Hence, RGO/Fe3O4-Co3O4 yolk-shell nanostructures possess a great opportunity to become a promising candidate for waste water treatment in industry.

  1. Synthesis and modification of FeVO{sub 4} as novel anode for lithium-ion batteries

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Xiaolin [Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Cao, Yuancheng [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, School of chemical and Environment Engineering, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Zheng, Hao; Chen, Xiao [Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Feng, Chuanqi, E-mail: cfeng@hubu.edu.cn [Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China)

    2017-02-01

    Graphical abstract: The FeVO{sub 4}/graphene are synthesized by combining hydrothermal and heat treatment method. It delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1302.3 mAh g{sup −1} and remained capacity as 1046.5 mAh g{sup −1} after 100 cycles and behaved better electrochemical properties than that of pure FeVO{sub 4}. - Highlights: • The FeVO{sub 4} and FeVO{sub 4}/graphene are synthesized by combining hydrothermal and heat treatment method. • The FeVO{sub 4}/graphene nanocomposite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance. • FeVO{sub 4}/graphene delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1302.3 mAh g{sup −1} and remained capacity as 1046.5 mAh g{sup −1} after 100 cycles. • The FeVO{sub 4}/graphene composite behaved better electrochemical properties than that of pure FeVO{sub 4}. - Abstract: FeVO{sub 4} and FeVO{sub 4}/graphene nanorods were synthesized successfully by combining a facile hydrothermal and heat treatment method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The content of graphene in FeVO{sub 4}/graphene was determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The electrochemical properties of the samples were also investigated by battery testing system. The results showed that the FeVO{sub 4} formed were taken on morphology of nanorods with the length between 0.5 and 1 μm and the diameter in range of 50 to 100 nm. Besides, the size of FeVO{sub 4}/graphene was smaller than that of pure FeVO{sub 4}. The content of graphene in composite was about 25.0% by weight. The reversible discharge capacities of FeVO{sub 4} and FeVO{sub 4}/graphene were 405.2 mAh g{sup −1} and 1046.5 mAh g{sup −1} separately after 100 cycles at the current density of 100 mAh g{sup −1} in the voltage range of 0.01–3 V. The reasons for the FeVO{sub 4}/graphene composite to behave outstanding electrochemical properties were also discussed. The Fe

  2. Effect of carbon source on the morphology and electrochemical performances of LiFePO4/C nanocomposites.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Shuxin; Wang, Haibin; Yin, Hengbo; Wang, Hong; He, Jichuan

    2014-03-01

    The carbon coated LiFePO4 (LiFePO4/C) nanocomposites materials were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method. The microstructure and morphology of LiFePO4/C nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the carbon layers decomposed by different dispersant and carbon source had different graphitization degree, and the sugar could decompose to form more graphite-like structure carbon. The carbon source and heat-treatment temperature had some effect on the particle size and morphology, the sample LFP-S700 synthesized by adding sugar as carbon source at 700 degrees C had smaller particle size, uniform size distribution and spherical shape. The electrochemical behavior of LiFePO4/C nanocomposites was analyzed using galvanostatic measurements and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that the sample LFP-S700 had higher discharge specific capacities, higher apparent lithium ion diffusion coefficient and lower charge transfer resistance. The excellent electrochemical performance of sample LFP-S700 could be attributed to its high graphitization degree of carbon, smaller particle size and uniform size distribution.

  3. Sr3Fe5/4Mo3/4O6.9, an n = 2 Ruddlesen-Popper Phase: Synthesis and Properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Whaley, L.; Lobanov, M.; Sehptyakov, D.; Croft, M.; Ramanujachary, K.; Lofland, S.; Stephens, P.; Her, J.; Van Tendeloo, G.

    2006-01-01

    In a systematic search for an oxygen-stoichiometric phase, Sr 3 (FeMo)O 7 , in a range of iron-to-molybdenum ratios greater than 1:1 that typically give phase mixtures, we have found an n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper phase, Sr 3 Fe 5/4 Mo 3/4 O 6.9 , as supported by synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (SPXD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM), and powder neutron diffraction (PND) results. By SPXD, this oxygen-deficient, B-site disordered, two-dimensional analogue of Sr2FeMoO6 adopts tetragonal I4/mmm symmetry (a = b = 3.92449(5) Angstroms; c = 20.3423(3) Angstroms) with vacancies at the O(1) oxygen site and with a composition that refines to a nominal stoichiometry Sr 3 Fe 5/4 Mo 3/4 O 6.9 . The two-phase SPXD refinement includes Sr 3 Fe 5/4 Mo 3/4 O 6.9 (95.7%) and a double-perovskite (DP) intergrowth, Sr 2 FeMoO 6 (4.3%), consistent with HREM studies in which DP intergrowths but no individual DP grains were found. The G-type antiferromagnetically (AFM)-ordered structure of the phase, with the magnetic cell a m = √2a ∼ 5.548 Angstroms, c m = c ∼ 20.35 Angstroms, derived from PND data, displays a saturated moment of 2.17(1) μ B at 9 K and an asynchronous decrease of the in-plane component of the Fe/Mo moment (μ xy ), with respect to the out-of-plane moment (μ z ) upon increasing temperature from 9 K up to the Neel temperature, TN ∼ 150 K. No structural transitions were observed over the entire temperature range studied: from 1.5 to 500 K. The temperature-dependent resistivity is consistent with Efros-Shklovskii variable-range hopping, applicable to two ranges of temperature (189 K RT ∼ 3 μ(Omega)·cm). A small negative magnetoresistance is observed (∼2.5%) at 5 T near the ordering temperature (∼150 K). The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility shows an inflection between 125 and 150 K, consistent with the AFM ordering temperature (∼150 K) observed by PND. X-ray near-edge spectroscopy data are consistent with formal

  4. Controllable synthesis of porous LiFePO4 for tunable electrochemical Li-insertion performance

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tian, Xiaohui; Zhou, Yingke; Wu, Guan; Wang, Pengcheng; Chen, Jian

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • A templated freeze-drying method is developed to prepare the porous LiFePO 4 . • The pore size and porosity can be controlled by adjusting the conditions. • The effects of the porous properties on the Li-insertion performances are studied. • The optimized composite presents excellent specific capacity and rate capability. - Abstract: A templated freeze-drying method is developed to prepare the porous LiFePO 4 materials with the controlled pore size and porosity, by conveniently adjusting the size and content of the template in the precursor solution. The morphology and structure of the porous LiFePO 4 materials are characterized and the relavant electrochemical lithium-insertion performances are systematically studied. It’s found that the porous characteristics play a critical role in the lithium-ion intercalation processes and significantly affect the power capability of LiFePO 4 . The optimized porous LiFePO 4 material presents remarkable specific capacity (167 mAh g −1 at 0.1 C), rate capability (151 mAh g −1 at 1 C and 110 mAh g −1 at 10 C) and cycling stability (99.3% retention after 300 cycles at 1 C). These findings demonstrate that the electrochemical performance of the electrode material can be purposely tuned and remarkably improved by the rational design and introduction of the suitable pores, which open up new strategies for the synthesis of advanced porous materials for the lithium-ion power battery applications.

  5. Preparation, characterization and SRXPS study of polyvinyl alcohol modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Ming; Wang Bing; Feng Weiyue; Liu Hui; Kang Yanjie; Kui Rexi

    2011-01-01

    In this study, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were coated with PVA to synthesize PVA-Fe 3 O 4 complex, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),thermo gravimetric(TG) analysis, UV-vis spectra,zeta potentials and ICP-MS, in terms of the physicochemical properties, while surface constituents, structures and chemical bonds of the modified and unmodified nanoparticles were characterized with synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(SRXPS), for exploring modification mechanism of the PVA-Fe 3 O 4 . The results indicate that after PVA modification, the suspension stability of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles in water and cellular uptake capability were significantly improved compared with unmodified Fe 3 O 4 . The SRXPS analysis reveals that the hydroxy groups on the surface of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and PVA were combined by hydrogen bond to consist a stable system, which would be beneficial to the biomedical applications of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. (authors)

  6. The 4s24p3-4s4p4 transition in AsI-like AgXV

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dong Chenzhong; Zhao Jinbao

    1992-01-01

    Some terms of the 4s 4p 4 configuration in RuXII, RhXIII and PdXIV ions can be improved and all the energy values of the configuration in AgXV can be predicted theoretically by means of a configuration-interaction ab initio analysis for the level structure of the 4s 4p 4 configuration along the AsI sequence of KrIV-AgXV ions. Calculations of the wavelengths and oscillator strenghts are presented for the 4s 2 4p 3 -4s 4p 4 transition in AgXV. (orig.)

  7. Liquid-Solid-Solution Assembly of CoFe2O4/Graphene Nanocomposite as a High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anode

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu, Yanfang; Lv, Xingbin; Zhang, Lili; Guo, Xiaodong; Liu, Daijun; Chen, Jianjun; Ji, Junyi

    2016-01-01

    Graphical abstract: CoFe 2 O 4 /rGO composites are fabricated via a liquid-solid-solution assemble strategy with a well controlled CoFe 2 O 4 size, the composite exhibits a high rate performance for lithium ion batteries anode. - Highlights: • Crumpled CoFe 2 O 4 @graphene composite with uniform CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles intimately anchored on graphene sheets was fabricated. • The novel fabrication strategy: liquid-solid-solution strategy where the CoFe 2 O 4 are nucleation and controlled growth at the oil/water interface. • High reversible specific capacity of 1102 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles and high rate capability of 410 mAh g −1 within 230 s charging. - Abstract: CoFe 2 O 4 /graphene composites were fabricated via a novel one-pot liquid-solid-solution (LSS) hydrothermal process. Through ions electrostatic adsorption onto graphene sheets and oil microemulsion encapsulation, CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles can be uniformly anchored on crumpled graphene sheets without aggregation, and the size distribution of CoFe 2 O 4 particles can be controlled by the microemulsion shell in the range of 50–100 nm. With the synergistic effect between CoFe 2 O 4 and graphene, the CoFe 2 O 4 /graphene hybrid exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 1102 mAh g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 after 100 cycles, and a good cycling stability as well. Moreover, the composite has good rate capability. The specific capacity can reach a high value of 410 mAh g −1 even under a high current density of 6.4 A g −1 (corresponds to a charge time of ∼230 s), indicating its promising application as an anode material for lithium ion batteries.

  8. Nano-sized Fe2O3/Fe3O4 facilitate anaerobic transformation of hexavalent chromium in soil-water systems.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Yaxian; Li, Hua; Gong, Libo; Dong, Guowen; Shen, Liang; Wang, Yuanpeng; Li, Qingbiao

    2017-07-01

    The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of nano-sized or submicro Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 on the bioreduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and to evaluate the effects of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 on the microbial communities from the anaerobic flooding soil. The results indicated that the net decreases upon Cr(VI) concentration from biotic soil samples amended with nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 (317.1±2.1mg/L) and Fe 3 O 4 (324.0±22.2mg/L) within 21days, which were approximately 2-fold of Cr(VI) concentration released from blank control assays (117.1±5.6mg/L). Furthermore, the results of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and high-throughput sequencing indicated a greater variety of microbes within the microbial community in amendments with nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 than the control assays. Especially, Proteobacteria occupied a predominant status on the phylum level within the indigenous microbial communities from chromium-contaminated soils. Besides, some partial decrease of soluble Cr(VI) in abiotic nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 amendments was responsible for the adsorption of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 to soluble Cr(VI). Hence, the presence of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 could largely facilitate the mobilization and biotransformation of Cr(VI) from flooding soils by adsorption and bio-mediated processes. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  9. Biocarbon-coated LiFePO4 nucleus nanoparticles enhancing electrochemical performances.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Xueguang; Zhang, Xudong; He, Wen; Yue, Yuanzheng; Liu, Hong; Ma, Jingyun

    2012-10-18

    We report a simple, inexpensive green biomimetic way for developing the high performance LiFePO(4) for high-power lithium-ion batteries. Biocarbon-coated LiFePO(4) nucleus nanoparticles are synthesized by using yeast cells as both a structural template and a biocarbon source.

  10. Synthesis of Fulvic Acid-Coated Magnetite (Fe3O4–FA and Its Application for the Reductive Adsorption of [AuCl4]–

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Philip Anggo Krisbiantoro

    2017-11-01

    Full Text Available Fulvic acid-coated magnetite (Fe3O4–FA has been synthesized through coprecipitation method using NH4OH. Synthesis conducted by cheap and environmentally friendly preparation used iron salts and extracted fulvic acid (FA from Peat soil of Rawa Pening, Central Java, Indonesia. Characterization using FT–IR indicated that the coating of FA on Fe3O4 occurred through the formation of chemical bond between iron of Fe3O4 and carboxyl group of FA. The XRD measurement indicated that coated Fe3O4 successfully dispersed in smaller size than uncoated Fe3O4, i.e. from 16.67 to 14.84 nm for Fe3O4 and Fe3O4–FA, respectively. Synthesized Fe3O4–FA has pHPZC 6.37 and stable at pH > 3.0. The extracted FA has total acidity 866.61 cmol kg–1, –COOH content 229.77 cmol kg–1 and –OH content 636.84 cmol kg–1. Fe3O4–FA has total acidity 494.86 cmol kg–1, –COOH content 67.80 cmol kg–1 and –OH content 427.06 cmol kg–1. The adsorption rate constant (k of [AuCl4]– on Fe3O4–A according to the Ho kinetic model was 8006.53 g mol–1 min–1. The adsorption capacity (qmax according to Langmuir isotherm model was 1.24 × 10–4 mol g–1. The presence of reduction towards the adsorbed [AuCl4]– was shown by the appearance of peaks at 2θ: 37.41; 43.66; 64.25, and 76.67° in the XRD diffractogram.

  11. Chemically grafted carbon-coated LiFePO4 using diazonium chemistry

    Science.gov (United States)

    Delaporte, Nicolas; Perea, Alexis; Amin, Ruhul; Zaghib, Karim; Bélanger, Daniel

    2015-04-01

    The effect of surface functionalization of aminophenyl and bromophenyl groups on carbon-coated LiFePO4 and the electrochemical properties of composite electrode containing these materials are reported. The functionalization was performed by spontaneous reduction of the corresponding in situ generated diazonium ions. The resulting chemically grafted LiFePO4/C materials were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the presence of the surface organic species. XRD analyses indicated the cathode material was partially oxidized. Thermogravimetric and elemental analyses revealed the loading of grafted molecules was between 0.2 and 1.1 wt.% depending on the reaction conditions. Interestingly, the electrochemical performances of the modified LiFePO4/C are not adversely affected by the presence of either aminophenyl and bromophenyl groups at the carbon surface, and in fact the grafted LiFePO4/C displayed slightly superior discharge capacity at the highest C rate investigated for a low loading of organic molecules.

  12. Spectroscopic measurements with the ATLAS FE-I4 pixel readout chip

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Pohl, David-Leon; Janssen, Jens; Hemperek, Tomasz; Huegging, Fabian; Wermes, Norbert [Physikalisches Institut der Univeristaet Bonn (Germany)

    2015-07-01

    The ATLAS FE-I4 pixel readout chip is a large (2 x 2 cm{sup 2}) state of the art ASIC used in high energy physics experiments as well as for research and development purposes. While the FE-I4 is optimized for high hit rates it provides very limited charge resolution. Therefore two methods were developed to obtain high resolution single pixel charge spectra with the ATLAS FE-I4. The first method relies on the ability to change the detection threshold in small steps while counting hits from a particle source and has a resolution limited by electronic noise only. The other method uses a FPGA based time-to-digital-converter to digitize the analog charge signal with high precision. The feasibility, performance and challenges of these methods are discussed. First results of sensor characterizations from radioactive sources and test beams with the ATLAS FE-I4 in view of the charge collection efficiency after irradiation are presented.

  13. Solitary Magnons in the S =5/2 Antiferromagnet CaFe2O4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stock, C.; Rodriguez, E. E.; Lee, N.; Green, M. A.; Demmel, F.; Ewings, R. A.; Fouquet, P.; Laver, M.; Niedermayer, Ch.; Su, Y.; Nemkovski, K.; Rodriguez-Rivera, J. A.; Cheong, S.-W.

    2016-07-01

    CaFe2O4 is a S =5/2 anisotropic antiferromagnet based upon zig-zag chains having two competing magnetic structures, denoted as the A (↑↑↓↓) and B (↑↓↑↓) phases, which differ by the c -axis stacking of ferromagnetic stripes. We apply neutron scattering to demonstrate that the competing A and B phase order parameters result in magnetic antiphase boundaries along c which freeze on the time scale of ˜1 ns at the onset of magnetic order at 200 K. Using high resolution neutron spectroscopy, we find quantized spin wave levels and measure 9 such excitations localized in regions ˜1 - 2 c -axis lattice constants in size. We discuss these in the context of solitary magnons predicted to exist in anisotropic systems. The magnetic anisotropy affords both competing A +B orders as well as localization of spin excitations in a classical magnet.

  14. Dipodal Silane-modified Nano Fe3O4/Polyurethane Magnetic Nanocomposites: Preparation and Characterization

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mir Mohammad Alavi Nikje

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Magnetic nanocomposites were prepared by incorporation of pure Fe3O4 and surface-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (dipodal silane-modified Fe3O4 into a polyurethane elastomer matrix by in situ polymerization method. In preparation of these magnetic nanocomposites, polycaprolactone (PCL was used as a polyester polyol. Because of dipole-dipole interactions between nanoparticles and a large surface area to volume ratio, the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles tended to agglomerate. Furthermore, the most important challenge was to coat the surface of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles in order to prepare well dispersed and stabilized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. It was observed that surface modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles enhanced the dispersion of the nanoparticles in polyurethane matrices and allowed magnetic nanocomposites to be prepared with better properties. Surface modification of Fe3O4 was performed by dipodal silane synthesized based on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS and γ-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTS. Dipodal silane-coated magnetic nanoparticles (DScMNPs were synthesized and incorporated into the polyurethane elastomer matrix as reinforcing agents. The formation of dipodal silane was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM. Characterization and study on the magnetic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites were performed by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA. The VSM results showed that the synthesized polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites had a superparamagnetic behavior. The TGA results showed that the thermal stability of dipodal silane-modified Fe3O4/PU nanocomposite was higher than that of Fe3O4/PU nanocomposite. This could be attributed to better dispersion and compatibility of dipodal silane

  15. Synthesis and characterization of new functionalized polymer-Fe3O4 nanocomposite particles

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    A. Bukowska

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available In this study, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs were functionalized with copolymer or terpolymer bearing glycidyl methacrylate (GMA moieties making them suitable for potential applications as drug delivery systems (DDS. For this purpose, the surface of magnetic nanoparticles was first coated with 3-(trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate (MPS by a silanization reaction to introduce reactive methacrylate groups onto the surface. Subsequently, monomers were grafted onto the surface of modified-MPS particles via two polymerization methods: seed emulsion (GMA, divinylbenzene, DVB, and styrene, S and distillation – precipitation (GMA and DVB. The obtained nanocomposite particles were characterized by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, DR UV-Vis (diffuse reflectance ultraviolet – visible spectroscopy, TEM (transmission electron microscopy combined with EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis and DLS (dynamic light scattering. FTIR spectroscopy showed that indeed a polymer – Fe3O4@MPS composite was obtained. TEM and EDS analysis showed that the seed emulsion method resulted in nanosized, 100 nm Fe3O4@MPS core/polymer shell NPs, forming long chains. On the contrary, the distillation – precipitation method caused the formation of an inverted structure, i.e. polymer core coated by a Fe3O4@MPS shell, which exhibited a very coarse size distribution varying from several hundreds to over 2 µm.

  16. Kinetic Model of LiFePO4 Formation Using Non-Isothermal Thermogravimetric Analysis

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Abdul Halim

    2014-03-01

    Full Text Available The formation reaction of LiFePO4 from decomposition of precursors LiOH, FeSO4.7H2O and (NH42HPO4 with mol ratio of Li:Fe:P=1:1:1 was investigated. The experiment was carried out by thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA method using nitrogen as atmosfer at a constant heating rate to obtain kinetic constant parameters. Several heating rates were selected, there are 5, 7, 10, 15, 17.5, 22.5 and 25 °C/min. Activation energy, pre-exponential factor and reaction order were taken using Kissinger method and obtained respectively 56.086 kJ/mol, 6.95×108 min-1, and 1.058. Based on fitting result between reaction model and experiment were obtained that reaction obeyed the three dimension diffusion model. © 2014 BCREC UNDIP. All rights reservedReceived: 19th September 2013; Revised: 9th December 2013; Accepted: 23rd January 2014 [How to Cite: Halim, A., Widiyastuti, W., Setyawan, H., Winardi, S. (2014. Kinetic of LiFePO4 For-mation Using Non-isothermal Thermogravimetric Analysis. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 9 (1: 60-65. (doi:10.9767/bcrec.9.1.5508.60-65][Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.9.1.5508.60-65] 

  17. Chemical synthesis of Fe/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core-shell composites with enhanced soft magnetic performances

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yang, Bai, E-mail: byang@buaa.edu.cn [Key Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191 (China); Li, Xiaopan [Key Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191 (China); Yang, Xueying [Hi-tech Industry Standardization Institute, Hubei Standardization and Quality Institution, Wuhan 430061 (China); Yu, Ronghai [Key Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191 (China)

    2017-04-15

    The large-grain Fe/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} composite particles with average size of about 1.2 µm have been fabricated by a facile one-step solvothermal method. The formation of high-purity Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} as the shells (90.14 wt%) and α-Fe as the cores (9.86 wt%) in the Fe/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} composites leads to their high saturation magnetization of 119.6 A m{sup 2} Kg{sup -1}. Very low coercivity of 30 Oe is obtained in the composites due to their uniform cubic-shaped morphologies. Compared with Fe-based nanosized particles, these micron-sized magnetic Fe/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} composites exhibit high air stability and good compactibility with high compressed density of 5.9 g cm{sup -3}. The fully compacted sample shows good soft magnetic properties including high magnetic induction B{sub 1.2k} {sub (H=1200} {sub A/m)} of 540 mT and good frequency-dependent magnetic properties with operating frequency up to 50 MHz superior to those of the most traditional soft magnetic ferrites, which promotes their potential applications in high-frequency and high-power magnetic devices. - Highlights: • Micron-sized Fe/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} composites are prepared by a one-step solvothermal method. • High saturation magnetization and low coercivity are obtained in the composites. • Good air stability and high bulk density occurs in the composites. • High magnetic induction and good frequency-dependent properties are achieved.

  18. EXAFS Study on LiFePO4 Powders Produced From Two Sol-Gel Routes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Negara, V. S. I.; Latif, C.; Wongtepa, W.; Pratapa, S.

    2018-04-01

    The local structure of LiFePO4 powders has been investigated using Fe K-edge Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Spectroscopy data. The synthesis of LFP powders was carried out using two different sol-gel methods. The raw materials for Fe source were ironstone and commercial precursor of FeCl2·4H2O. Synthesis using natural materials produced two phases, namely LiFePO4 olivine and Li3Fe2(PO4)3 nasicon, whereas that using a commercial product produced a single phase of LiFePO4 olivine. The EXAFS data for both samples were collected at Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI), Thailand. Fitting of the model on the experimental curve provided parameters that can be interpreted as the distance between Fe as the absorber and the nearest atoms on the LFP materials. The EXAFS data analysis has shown that synthesis of LFPs using different Fe sources gives slightly different nearest-neighbor distances, namely Fe-O of 0.21% -0.23%, Fe-P of 0.14% - 0.16%, Fe-Fe of 0.12% for both samples, respectively.

  19. Intercalating graphene with clusters of Fe3O4 nanocrystals for electrochemical supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ke, Qingqing; Tang, Chunhua; Liu, Yanqiong; Liu, Huajun; Wang, John

    2014-04-01

    A hierarchical nanostructure consisting of graphene sheets intercalated by clusters of Fe3O4 nanocystals is developed for high-performance supercapacitor electrode. Here we show that the negatively charged graphene oxide (GO) and positively charged Fe3O4 clusters enable a strong electrostatic interaction, generating a hierarchical 3D nanostructure, which gives rise to the intercalated composites through a rational hydrothermal process. The electrocapacitive behavior of the resultant composites is systematically investigated by cyclic voltammeter and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques, where a positive synergistic effect between graphene and Fe3O4 clusters is identified. A maximum specific capacitance of 169 F g-1 is achieved in the Fe3O4 clusters decorated with effectively reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4-rGO-12h), which is much higher than those of rGO (101 F g-1) and Fe3O4 (68 F g-1) at the current density of 1 Ag-1. Moreover, this intercalated hierarchical nanostructure demonstrates a good capacitance retention, retaining over 88% of the initial capacity after 1000 cycles.

  20. Magnetic properties and loss separation in FeSi/MnZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} soft magnetic composites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lauda, M. [Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik Univesity, Park Angelinum 9, 04154 Košice (Slovakia); Füzer, J., E-mail: jan.fuzer@upjs.sk [Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik Univesity, Park Angelinum 9, 04154 Košice (Slovakia); Kollár, P. [Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik Univesity, Park Angelinum 9, 04154 Košice (Slovakia); Strečková, M.; Bureš, R. [Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 04001 Košice (Slovakia); Kováč, J.; Baťková, M.; Baťko, I. [Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 04001 Košice (Slovakia)

    2016-08-01

    We investigated composites that have been prepared from FeSi powders covered with MnZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (MnZn ferrite), which was prepared by sol–gel synthesis accompanied with the auto-combustion process. The aim of this paper is to analyze the complex permeability and core losses of prepared samples with different amount of MnZn ferrite. The microstructure and the powder morphology were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Magnetic measurements on bulk samples were carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer, an impedance analyzer and hysteresisgraphs. The results indicate that the composites with 2.6 wt% MnZn ferrite show better soft magnetic properties than the composites with about 6 wt% MnZn ferrite. - Highlights: • Successful preparation of soft magnetic composite FeSi/MnZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. • Study of the complex magnetic permeability. • Comparison of different compositions of prepared SMC's. • Determination of parts of magnetic losses.

  1. Behaviour of Fe4O5-Mg2Fe2O5 solid solutions and their relation to coexisting Mg-Fe silicates and oxide phases

    Science.gov (United States)

    Uenver-Thiele, Laura; Woodland, Alan B.; Miyajima, Nobuyoshi; Ballaran, Tiziana Boffa; Frost, Daniel J.

    2018-03-01

    Experiments at high pressures and temperatures were carried out (1) to investigate the crystal-chemical behaviour of Fe4O5-Mg2Fe2O5 solid solutions and (2) to explore the phase relations involving (Mg,Fe)2Fe2O5 (denoted as O5-phase) and Mg-Fe silicates. Multi-anvil experiments were performed at 11-20 GPa and 1100-1600 °C using different starting compositions including two that were Si-bearing. In Si-free experiments the O5-phase coexists with Fe2O3, hp-(Mg,Fe)Fe2O4, (Mg,Fe)3Fe4O9 or an unquenchable phase of different stoichiometry. Si-bearing experiments yielded phase assemblages consisting of the O5-phase together with olivine, wadsleyite or ringwoodite, majoritic garnet or Fe3+-bearing phase B. However, (Mg,Fe)2Fe2O5 does not incorporate Si. Electron microprobe analyses revealed that phase B incorporates significant amounts of Fe2+ and Fe3+ (at least 1.0 cations Fe per formula unit). Fe-L2,3-edge energy-loss near-edge structure spectra confirm the presence of ferric iron [Fe3+/Fetot = 0.41(4)] and indicate substitution according to the following charge-balanced exchange: [4]Si4+ + [6]Mg2+ = 2Fe3+. The ability to accommodate Fe2+ and Fe3+ makes this potential "water-storing" mineral interesting since such substitutions should enlarge its stability field. The thermodynamic properties of Mg2Fe2O5 have been refined, yielding H°1bar,298 = - 1981.5 kJ mol- 1. Solid solution is complete across the Fe4O5-Mg2Fe2O5 binary. Molar volume decreases essentially linearly with increasing Mg content, consistent with ideal mixing behaviour. The partitioning of Mg and Fe2+ with silicates indicates that (Mg,Fe)2Fe2O5 has a strong preference for Fe2+. Modelling of partitioning with olivine is consistent with the O5-phase exhibiting ideal mixing behaviour. Mg-Fe2+ partitioning between (Mg,Fe)2Fe2O5 and ringwoodite or wadsleyite is influenced by the presence of Fe3+ and OH incorporation in the silicate phases.

  2. Cytoplasmic vitamin A binding proteins in chick embryo dermis and epidermis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gates, R.E.; King, L.E. Jr.

    1985-01-01

    Excess vitamin A has striking morphologic and developmental effects on chick embryo skin. While cytoplasmic retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP) was known to be abundant in chick embryo skin, neither quantitative values nor the distribution between dermis and epidermis have been established. The authors determined CRABP levels in collagenase-separated dermis and epidermis from 8-day-old embryos using specific binding of all-trans-[11- 3 H]retinoic acid in cytosols prepared from gram quantities of these tissues. The level of CRABP in dermis was twice the level in epidermis whether calculated on the basis of wet weight, cytosol protein, or DNA. When averaged over many preparations, 3 times as much dermis as epidermis was recovered from a single piece of skin. Therefore, the dermis contained 85% of the extremely high CRABP levels found in collagenase-treated skin, while epidermis contributed only 15%. Cytoplasmic retinol binding protein (CRBP) was also detected in chick embryo skin, but the binding was low and the levels in epidermis and dermis were not significantly different. The amount of CRABP in chick embryo skin (1600 pmol/g wet weight or 100 pmol/mg cytosol protein) is the highest level reported in any tissue and suggests an important role for vitamin A in the normal development and maturation of skin

  3. Green Synthesis Methods of CoFe_2O_4 and Ag-CoFe_2O_4 Nanoparticles Using Hibiscus Extracts and Their Antimicrobial Potential

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gingasu, D.; Mindru, I.; Patron, L.; Caleron-Moreno, J.M.; Mocioiu, O.C.; Preda, S.; Stanica, N.; Nita, S.; Dobre, N.; Popa, M.; Gradisteanu, G.; Chifiriuc, M. C.

    2016-01-01

    The cobalt ferrite (CoFe_2O_4) and silver-cobalt ferrite (Ag-CoFe_2O_4) nanoparticles were obtained through self-combustion and wet ferritization methods using aqueous extracts of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower and leaf. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements were used for the characterization of the obtained oxide powders. The antimicrobial activity of the cobalt ferrite and silver-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal strains, was investigated by qualitative and quantitative assays. The most active proved to be the Ag-CoFe_2O_4 nanoparticles, particularly those obtained through self-combustion using hibiscus leaf extract, which exhibited very low minimal inhibitory concentration values (0.031-0.062 mg/ml) against all tested microbial strains, suggesting their potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

  4. Green Synthesis Methods of CoFe2O4 and Ag-CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles Using Hibiscus Extracts and Their Antimicrobial Potential

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dana Gingasu

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available The cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4 and silver-cobalt ferrite (Ag-CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were obtained through self-combustion and wet ferritization methods using aqueous extracts of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower and leaf. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements were used for the characterization of the obtained oxide powders. The antimicrobial activity of the cobalt ferrite and silver-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal strains, was investigated by qualitative and quantitative assays. The most active proved to be the Ag-CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, particularly those obtained through self-combustion using hibiscus leaf extract, which exhibited very low minimal inhibitory concentration values (0.031–0.062 mg/mL against all tested microbial strains, suggesting their potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

  5. Dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhou, Hongyi; Han, Jian; Baig, Shams Ali; Xu, Xinhua

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: ► CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were synthesized and used for 2,4-D removal. ► Particle stability, ζ-potential and IEP of non- and stabilized Pd/Fe were compared. ► Dechlorination of 2,4-D by different Pd/Fe systems was investigated. ► The reaction mechanism has been discussed and presented in the article. ► Effects of CMC/Fe mass ratio and pH were also investigated. - Abstract: This paper describes the synthesis of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles and their applications to the dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under controlled laboratorial conditions. For this purpose batch mode experiments were conducted to understand the effects of CMC on the surface characteristics of Pd/Fe nanoparticles, optimum removal of 2,4-D and other surface interactions mechanism. Our experimental results demonstrated considerable enhancements in particle stability and chemical reactivity with the addition of CMC to Pd/Fe nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis indicated that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were well dispersed, and nanoparticles remained in suspension for days compared to non-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles precipitated within minutes. The isoelectric point (IEP) of the nanoparticles shifted from pH 6.5 to 2.5, suggesting that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were negatively charged over a wider pH range. Our batch experiments demonstrated that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles (0.6 g Fe L −1 ) were able to remove much higher levels of 2,4-D with only one intermediate 2-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (2-CPA) and the final organic product phenoxyacetic acid (PA), than non-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles or microsized Pd/Fe particles. The removal percentage of 2,4-D increased from 10% to nearly 100% as the reaction pH decreased from 11.5 to 2.5. The optimal CMC/Fe mass ratio for the dechlorination of 2,4-D was determined to be 5/1, and the removal of 2,4-D was

  6. MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-based immuno-PCR for the early screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chia-Ching, Liu [Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan (China); Subramaniam, Sadhasivam [Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046 (India); Sivasubramanian, Savitha [Department of Biotechnology, Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chennai (India); Feng-Huei, Lin, E-mail: double@ntu.edu.tw [Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan (China); Division of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan (China)

    2016-04-01

    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most prevalent form of malignancy in southeast China and its development is meticulously related to EBV pathogenesis. The current screening techniques are unsatisfactory in terms of the sensitivity and hence most of the NPC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Herein, we report the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) combined with iron oxide nanoparticles as a sensing surface for the early screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by immuno-PCR (iPCR). The MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The characterization techniques had confirmed the successful formation of MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites. The MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-based iPCR was effectively tested for the quantification of anti-EBV antibodies in human serum and the limit of detection (LOD) was compared with ELISA. The limit of detection by iPCR was valid until 1:10,000,000 fold dilution of NPC{sup +ve} human serum, whereas ELISA can detect the anti-EBV antibodies in human serum up to 1:100,000 fold dilution. The MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} offers an excellent surface area for the antigen-antibody binding and hence greater sensitivity was achieved. - Highlights: • MWCNT-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposite offers more surface area and effortless separation • The iPCR offers an exceptional LOD, which is significantly higher than the other analytical techniques reported • LOD of anti-EBV abs by ELISA was significant only until 1:100000 fold dilution • The proposed iPCR design could be extremely useful for the population-based screening.

  7. Formic acid as additive for the preparation of high-performance FePO4 materials by spray drying method

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Yanga, F

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available International, vol. 43(18): 16652-16658 Formic acid as additive for the preparation of high-performance FePO4 materials by spray drying method Yanga F Zhang H Shao Y Song H Liao S Ren J ABSTRACT: High-performance ferric phosphate (FePO4...

  8. Nuclear inelastic scattering and density functional theory studies of a one-dimensional spin crossover [Fe(1,2,4-triazole)2(1,2,4-triazolato)](BF4) molecular chain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jenni, Kevin; Scherthan, Lena; Faus, Isabelle; Marx, Jennifer; Strohm, Cornelius; Herlitschke, Marcus; Wille, Hans-Christian; Würtz, Peter; Schünemann, Volker; Wolny, Juliusz A

    2017-07-26

    Nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS) experiments have been performed in order to study the vibrational dynamics of the low- and high-spin states of the polynuclear 1D spin crossover compound [Fe(1,2,4-triazole) 2 (1,2,4-triazolato)](BF 4 ) (1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the functional B3LYP* and the basis set CEP-31G for heptameric and nonameric models of the compound yielded the normal vibrations and electronic energies for high-spin and low-spin isomers of three models differing in the distribution of anionic trz - ligands and BF 4 - anions. On the basis of the obtained energies a structural model with a centrosymmetric Fe(trzH) 4 (trz - ) 2 coordination core of the mononuclear unit of the chain is proposed. The obtained distribution of the BF 4 - counteranions in the proposed structure is similar to that obtained on the basis of X-ray powder diffraction studies by Grossjean et al. (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2013, 796). The NIS data of the system diluted to 10% Fe(ii) content in a 90% Zn(ii) matrix (compound (2)) show a characteristic change of the spectral pattern of the low-spin centres, compared to the low-spin phase of the parent Fe(ii) complex (1). DFT calculations reveal that this is caused by a change of the structure of the neighbours of the low-spin centres. The spectral pattern of the high-spin centres in (2) is within a good approximation identical to that of the high-spin Fe(ii) isomer of (1). The inspection of the molecular orbitals of the monomeric model systems of [Fe(trzH) 4 (trz - ) 2 ] and [Fe(trzH) 6 ], together with calculations of spin transition energies, point towards the importance of an electrostatic effect caused by the negatively charged ligands. This results in the stabilisation of the low-spin state of the complex containing the anionic ligand and shortening of the Fe-N(trz - ) compared to the Fe-N(trzH) bond in high-spin, but not in low-spin [Fe(trzH) 4 (trz - ) 2 ].

  9. A Facile Solvothermal Synthesis of Octahedral Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ooi, Frances; DuChene, Joseph S.; Qiu, Jianqing; Graham, Jeremy O.; Engelhard, Mark H.; Cao, Guixin; Gai, Zheng; Wei, Wei

    2015-06-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles are of great technological interest because they promise numerous potential opportunities in biomedicine and data storage. Although intriguing, these applications require exquisite control over nanostructure morphology in order to appropriately harness their magnetic properties. Most synthesis strategies reported to date are unable to routinely produce anisotropic Fe3O4 nanostructures with appropriate sizes to enable integration into biological systems. Here, we report a simple solvothermal synthesis for obtaining octahedral Fe3O4 nanoparticles with suitable sizes for cellular internalization. Furthermore, these ferromagnetic Fe3O4 octahedrons exhibit substantial saturation magnetization with minimal remanence, suggesting their potential applicability for a host of biomedical applications.

  10. Identification of residues on human receptor DPP4 critical for MERS-CoV binding and entry

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Song, Wenfei [Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Wang, Ying [Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, Research Center for Public Health, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Wang, Nianshuang; Wang, Dongli [Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Guo, Jianying; Fu, Lili [Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, Research Center for Public Health, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Shi, Xuanling, E-mail: shixuanlingsk@tsinghua.edu.cn [Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, Research Center for Public Health, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China)

    2014-12-15

    Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infects host cells through binding the receptor binding domain (RBD) on its spike glycoprotein to human receptor dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4). Here, we report identification of critical residues on hDPP4 for RBD binding and virus entry through analysis of a panel of hDPP4 mutants. Based on the RBD–hDPP4 crystal structure we reported, the mutated residues were located at the interface between RBD and hDPP4, which potentially changed the polarity, hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties of hDPP4, thereby interfering or disrupting their interaction with RBD. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding analysis and pseudovirus infection assay, we showed that several residues in hDPP4–RBD binding interface were important on hDPP4–RBD binding and viral entry. These results provide atomic insights into the features of interactions between hDPP4 and MERS-CoV RBD, and also provide potential explanation for cellular and species tropism of MERS-CoV infection. - Highlights: • It has been demonstrated that MERS-CoV infects host cells through binding its envelope spike (S) glycoprotein to the host cellular receptor dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). • To identify the critical residues on hDPP4 for RBD binding and virus entry, we constructed a panel of hDPP4 mutants based on structure-guided mutagenesis. • Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding analysis and pseudovirus infection assay, we showed that several residues on hDPP4 had significant impacts on virus/receptor interactions and viral entry. • Our study has provided new insights into the features of interactions between hDPP4 and MERS-CoV RBD, and provides potential explanation for cellular and species tropism of MERS-CoV infection.

  11. Review on the Synthesis and Applications of Fe3O4 Nanomaterials

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xiaodi Liu

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available Recently, Fe3O4 nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention because of their favorable electric and magnetic properties. Fe3O4 nanostructures with various morphologies have been successfully synthesized and have been used in many fields such as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs, wastewater treatment, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI contrast agents. In this paper, we provide an in-depth discussion of recent development of Fe3O4 nanomaterials, including their effective synthetic methods and potential applications.

  12. Adsorption mechanism of magnetically separable Fe_3O_4/graphene oxide hybrids

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ouyang, Ke; Zhu, Chuanhe; Zhao, Ya; Wang, Leichao; Xie, Shan; Wang, Qun

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: A recyclable Fe_3O_4/graphene oxide (GO) magnetic hybrid was successfully synthesized via a facile one-pot polylol approach and exhibited an effective adsorption of BPA in aqueous solution. - Highlights: • Magnetically separable Fe_3O_4/GO hybrids were synthesized via a facile one-pot polylol approach. • The Fe_3O_4/GO hybrid could be easily recovered and met the need of magnetic separation, exhibiting excellent reproducibility and reusability. • The hybrids showed excellent adsorption ability for bisphenol A in aqueous solution. • The effect of pH value, temperature and coexisting ions on the adsorption was studied. • π–π interactions were postulated to be the primary mechanisms of adsorption of BPA on Fe_3O_4/GO hybrids. - Abstract: A reclaimable Fe_3O_4/graphene oxide (GO) magnetic hybrid was successfully synthesized via a facile one-pot polyol approach and employed as a recyclable adsorbent for Bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) of the Fe_3O_4/GO hybrid for BPA was 72.80 mg/g at 273 K. The kinetics of the adsorption process and the adsorption isotherm data were fitted using the Freundlich equation and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results of the thermodynamic parameters ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° showed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Furthermore, the reusability of the samples was investigated, and the results indicated that the samples exhibited high stability. The magnetic characterization demonstrated that hybrids were superparamagnetic and could be recovered conveniently by magnetic separation. The strong π–π interaction was determined to be the predominant driving force behind the adsorption of BPA onto the Fe_3O_4/GO hybrid. Therefore, the Fe_3O_4/GO hybrid could be regarded as a potential adsorbent for wastewater treatment and purification processes.

  13. Green fabrication of agar-conjugated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} magnetic nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hsieh, S; Huang, B Y; Lin, P Y; Chang, C W [Department of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan (China); Hsieh, S L [Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan (China); Wu, C C [Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 71101, Taiwan (China); Wu, C H [Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung 80811, Taiwan (China); Huang, Y S, E-mail: shsieh@facmail.NSYSU.edu.tw [Department of Food Science and Technology, Tajen University, Pingtung 90741, Taiwan (China)

    2010-11-05

    Magnetic nanoparticles are of great interest both for fundamental research and emerging applications. In the biomedical field, magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) has shown promise as a hyperthermia-based tumor therapeutic. However, preparing suitable solubilized magnetite nanoparticles is challenging, primarily due to aggregation and poor biocompatibility. Thus methods for coating Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs with biocompatible stabilizers are required. We report a new method for preparing Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles by co-precipitation within the pores of agar gel samples. Permeated agar gels were then dried and ground into a powder, yielding agar-conjugated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. Samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, TGA, TEM and SQUID. This method for preparing agar-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles is environmentally friendly, inexpensive and scalable.

  14. Uptake of CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-} ions by Fe-treated tri-calcium phosphate

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Serrano G, J.; Ramirez S, J. L.; Bonifacio M, J.; Granados C, F.; Badillo A, V. E., E-mail: juan.serrano@inin.gob.m [ININ, Carretera Mexico-Toluca s/n, 52750 Ocoyoacac, Estado de Mexico (Mexico)

    2010-07-01

    CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-} ion adsorption of Fe-treated tri-calcium phosphate was studied by batch experiments as a function of contact time, initial concentration of metal ion and temperature. Adsorption results showed that at ph 5.5 and 1.0 x 10{sup -4} M chromium concentration the adsorption capacity of Fe-treated tri-calcium phosphate for CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-} ions was 7.10 x 10{sup -3} mmol/g. Chromium adsorption data on Fe-treated tri-calcium phosphate at various initial concentration fitted the Freundlich isotherm. By temperature studies the thermodynamic parameters {Delta}H{sup 0}, {Delta}G{sup 0} and {Delta}S{sup 0} were estimated and the obtained results showed that the adsorption reaction was endothermic and spontaneous. (Author)

  15. One-pot synthesis and electrochemical reactivity of carbon coated LiFePO4 spindles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yu Juanjuan; Hu Juncheng; Li Jinlin

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Carbon coated LiFePO 4 spindles have been successfully synthesized via a novel supercritical method. ► The concentrations of lithium have an effect on the morphology of carbon coated LiFePO 4 . ► Amorphous carbon layer formed on the surface of LiFePO 4 by adding glucose. ► The carbon coating is responsible for the enhanced electrochemical performance. - Abstract: Spindle-like carbon coated LiFePO 4 (LiFePO 4 /C) composites have been successfully synthesized via a novel one-pot supercritical methanol method. The products were characterized by X-ray power diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The particle size, morphology and electrochemical reactivity changed with the concentration of lithium and carbon source. A possible morphology evolution process was also proposed. The glucose not only facilitates the formation of single crystalline LiFePO 4 , but also gives an amorphous carbon layer on the surface LiFePO 4 spindles.

  16. Electronic and magnetic properties of organic conductors (DMET) sub 2 MBr sub 4 (M=Fe, Ga)

    CERN Document Server

    Enomoto, K; Enoki, T; Yamaura, J I

    2003-01-01

    (DMET) sub 2 MBr sub 4 (M=Fe, Ga) are isostructural organic conductors whose crystal structure consists of an alternate stacking of quasi one-dimensional chain-based donor layers and anion square lattices. The resistivity, ESR, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and magnetoresistance of these salts were investigated in order to clarify the correlation between the electronic structure and the magnetism. The electronic structures of both salts are metallic down to T sub M sub I - 40 K, below which a Mott insulating state is stabilized, accompanied by an SDW transition at T sub S sub D sub W - 25 K. The FeBr sub 4 salt with Fe sup 3 sup + (S=5/2) localized spins undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at T sub N = 3.7 K. In the FeBr sub 4 salt, the magnetization curves, which show field-direction-dependent anomalies in addition to a spin-flop transition, are demonstrated to have a participation of donor pi-electron spins in the magnetization processes. The field dependence of the magnetoresistances below ...

  17. Structure-based nuclear import mechanism of histones H3 and H4 mediated by Kap123

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    An, Sojin [Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan, United States; Yoon, Jungmin [Structural Biology Laboratory of Epigenetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate school of Nanoscience and Technology (World Class University), KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea; Kim, Hanseong [Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan, United States; Song, Ji-Joon [Structural Biology Laboratory of Epigenetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate school of Nanoscience and Technology (World Class University), KI for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea; Cho, Uhn-soo [Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Michigan, United States

    2017-10-16

    Kap123, a major karyopherin protein of budding yeast, recognizes the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of cytoplasmic histones H3 and H4 and translocates them into the nucleus during DNA replication. Mechanistic questions include H3- and H4-NLS redundancy toward Kap123 and the role of the conserved diacetylation of cytoplasmic H4 (K5ac and K12ac) in Kap123-mediated histone nuclear translocation. Here, we report crystal structures of full-length Kluyveromyces lactis Kap123 alone and in complex with H3- and H4-NLSs. Structures reveal the unique feature of Kap123 that possesses two discrete lysine-binding pockets for NLS recognition. Structural comparison illustrates that H3- and H4-NLSs share at least one of two lysine-binding pockets, suggesting that H3- and H4-NLSs are mutually exclusive. Additionally, acetylation of key lysine residues at NLS, particularly H4-NLS diacetylation, weakens the interaction with Kap123. These data support that cytoplasmic histone H4 diacetylation weakens the Kap123-H4-NLS interaction thereby facilitating histone Kap123-H3-dependent H3:H4/Asf1 complex nuclear translocation.

  18. Surface Modification of LiMn2O4 for Lithium Batteries by Nanostructured LiFePO4 Phosphate

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    B. Sadeghi

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available LiMn2O4 spinel cathode materials have been successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction. Surface of these particles was modified by nanostructured LiFePO4 via sol gel dip coating method. Synthesized products were characterized by thermally analyzed thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA, X-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX. The results of electrochemical tests showed that the charge/discharge capacities improved and charge retention of battery enhanced. This improved electrochemical performance is caused by LiFePO4 phosphate layer on surfaces of LiMn2O4 cathode particles.

  19. Photocatalytic performances and activities of Ag-doped CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhu, Zhengru, E-mail: zhengruzhu@gmail.com [Research Center of Hydrology and Water Source, School of Urban and Environment, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029 (China); State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 (China); Li, Xinyong; Zhao, Qidong [State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemical, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 (China); Li, Yonghua; Sun, Caizhi; Cao, Yongqiang [Research Center of Hydrology and Water Source, School of Urban and Environment, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029 (China)

    2013-08-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocrystals were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. • Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} catalyst was prepared by the wetness impregnation strategy. • The structural properties of Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were investigated by XRD, TEM, DRS, and XPS techniques. • Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} has higher photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: In this work, CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation route. The Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} catalyst was prepared based on the CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles by the incipient wetness impregnation strategy, which showed excellent photoelectric property and catalytic activity. The structural properties of these samples were systematically investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The photo-induced charge separation in the samples was demonstrated by surface photovoltage (SPV) measurement. The photocatalytic degradation of 4-CP by the Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} samples were comparatively studied under xenon lamp irradiation. The results indicate that the Ag/CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} sample exhibited the higher efficiency for the degradation of 4-CP.

  20. Spectrophotometric analysis of vitamin E using Cu(I)-Bathocuproine or/and Fe(II)-2,4,6-tris-(2'-pyridyl)-s-triazine complexes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Devi, I.; Memon, S. A.; Khuhawar, M.Y.

    2004-01-01

    Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) antioxidants are determined by reducing Cu(II) to Cu(I) or Fe(III) to Fe(II) in presence of vitamin E and subsequent complexation of Cu(I) with bathocuproine and/or Fe(II) with 2,4,6-tris-(2'-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ). Both the reactions are monitored separately, Cu(I)-bathocuproine at 479 nm where as, Fe(II)-(TPTZ) at 595 nm spectrophotometrically. Linear calibration curves are achieved for both complexes between I to 5mu g ml-1 for vitamin E. The methods were applied for the determination of vitamin E in pharmaceutical preparations and edible oils. Vitamin E, from edible oils, was solvent extracted into n-hexane prior to saponification. Furthermore, a single lined flow was also examined. A larger excess of Cu(II) or Fe =(II) with different concentrations of vitamin E in buffer pH 4 was run on the line and constant amounts of reagent bathocuproine or TPTZ in each case was injected through the injector. The peak height shows a linear relationship for vitamin E between 0.5 to 2.5 mu g ml-1 for both complexes. (author)

  1. Structural, magnetic, electrical and electrochemical properties of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} synthesized by the molten salt technique

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Senthilkumar, Baskaran [Solid State Ionics and Energy Devices Laboratory, Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046 (India); Kalai Selvan, Ramakrishnan, E-mail: selvankram@buc.edu.in [Solid State Ionics and Energy Devices Laboratory, Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046 (India); Vinothbabu, Palanisamy [Department of Physics, Gobi Arts and Science College, Gobichettipalayam 638 453 (India); Perelshtein, Ilana [Kanbar Laboratory for Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900 (Israel); Gedanken, Aharon, E-mail: gedanken@mail.biu.ac.il [Kanbar Laboratory for Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900 (Israel)

    2011-10-17

    Highlights: {yields} The article describes the comprehensive study of molten salt synthesised NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. {yields} The optimized NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were further studied for their application as electrodes in redox supercapacitors and hydrogen evolving reaction (HER) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) techniques, respectively. {yields} The electrochemical characterization of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} showed pseudocapacitive property and exhibited specific capacitance of 18.5 F g{sup -1}. {yields} It also confirmed through LSV, the prepared NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} has good electrocatalytic behavior compared with its individual constituents like NiO and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} as well as the NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} prepared by solid state reaction. - Abstract: Submicron-sized NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles were synthesized by the molten salt method at 900 deg. C using binary melts of a NaCl and KCl mixture that acts as a flux. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the single phase, high crystalline and cubic structure of NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} with a Fd3m space group. The FT-IR spectra reveal the stretching vibration of octahedral complexes of Fe{sup 3+}-O{sup 2-} through the observed band around 552.3 cm{sup -1}. The SEM and TEM image had indicated the formation of submicron-sized NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} particles. The ferrimagnetic behavior and high saturation magnetization of 44 emu g{sup -1} was elucidated by VSM. The maximum electrical conductivity of 1.42 x 10{sup -4} S cm{sup -1} was observed at 873 K. The NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} showed a pseudocapacitive property in 1 M of a LiClO{sub 4} electrolyte and exhibited a specific capacitance of 18.5 F g{sup -1} at 10 mV s{sup -1}. The hydrogen evolution reaction was also studied for NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} in 1 M of a H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} solution.

  2. YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} co-doped nanocomposites: preparation, luminescent, and magnetic properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu Deming; Shi Jianhui; Tong Lizhu; Ren Xiaozhen; Li Quanhong; Yang Hua, E-mail: huayang86@sina.com [Jilin University, College of Chemistry (China)

    2012-11-15

    A series of different concentrations of Eu{sup 3+} and Dy{sup 3+} ions co-doping yttrium vanadate phosphors coated with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) was successful prepared by using two steps route including sol-gel method and hydrothermal method. The resulting phase formation, particle morphology, structure, luminescent, and magnetic properties were examined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectra, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results indicate that the diameter of the YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites is 100-300 nm. The special saturation magnetization Ms of the nanocomposites is 53 emu/g. Additionally, the emission intensities of YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+} or Dy{sup 3+} ions are regularly changed with the emission doping concentrations. After coating with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, the variation of the luminescent intensity of YVO{sub 4}:Eu{sup 3+}, Dy{sup 3+}-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} magnetic phosphors is different.

  3. [Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)4]-: a new building block for designing single-chain magnets.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Toma, Luminita Marilena; Pasán, Jorge; Ruiz-Pérez, Catalina; Lloret, Francesc; Julve, Miguel

    2012-11-28

    We herein present the synthesis and magneto-structural study of a new family of heterobimetallic chains of general formula {[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(2)}(n)·pnH(2)O [dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine; M = Mn (2), Cu (3), Ni (4) and Co (5) with p = 4 (2), 3 (3), 9 (4) and 3.5 (5)] which were prepared by using the mononuclear PPh(4)[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)]·3H(2)O (1) building block (PPh(4)(+) = tetraphenylphosphonium) as a ligand toward fully solvated M(II) ions. The structure of 1 consists of discrete [Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](-) anions, tetraphenylphosphonium cations and noncoordinated water molecules. Complexes 2-5 are isostructural compounds whose structure consists of neutral 4,2-wave like heterobimetallic chains of formula {[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(2)}(n) where the [Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](-) entity adopts a bis-monodentate coordination mode toward trans-[M(II)(H(2)O)(2)] units through two of its four cyanide groups in cis positions. 1 exhibits the magnetic behaviour of magnetically isolated six-coordinate low-spin Fe(III) complexes with an important orbital contribution. 2 behaves as ferrimagnetic Fe(III)(2)Mn(II) chains, whereas 3-5 exhibit intrachain ferromagnetic couplings between the low-spin Fe(III) and either Cu(II) (3), Ni (4) or Co(II) (5) as well as frequency-dependence of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals below 3.0 (3), 5.5 (4) and 5.0 K (5). The relaxation time and the energy to reverse the magnetization of 3-5 are related to the anisotropy of the M(II) center and to the intra- and interchain magnetic interactions. Unprecedentedly in the world of cyanide-bearing complexes, 5 exhibits a double slow relaxation of the magnetization.

  4. Synthesis of LiNixFe1−xPO4 solid solution as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Qing, Rui; Yang, Ming-Che; Meng, Ying Shirley; Sigmund, Wolfgang

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: • Phase pure LiNi x Fe 1−x PO 4 and LiNi x Fe 1−x PO 4 /C nanocomposites were obtained via a solid state reaction method. • Crystallite sizes were around 50 nm. Linear relationship was observed between lattice parameters and chemical composition. • Synthesized materials displayed electronic conductivity similar to reported value of LiFePO 4 . Carbon coating increased the conductivity to ∼10 −3 S/cm. • Chemical delithiation via NO 2 BF 4 extracted more than 90% of lithium from the nanocomposites, proving that Ni 2+ /Ni 3+ redox couple was activated. -- Abstract: Nanosize LiNi x Fe 1−x PO 4 solid solution and LiNi x Fe 1−x PO 4 /C nanocomposites were prepared via a solid state reaction method under argon atmosphere. A single phase olivine-type structure with Pnma space group was determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallite sizes were found to be around 50 nm. A linear relationship was observed between lattice parameters and chemical composition which follows Vegard's law. Synthesized materials displayed electronic conductivity similar to previous reported values of LiFePO 4 . Carbon coating further increased the overall conductivity of nanocomposites to the order of 10 −3 S/cm. Chemical delithiation via NO 2 BF 4 oxidant extracted more than 95% of lithium from the solid solution material accompanied by a decrease in lattice parameters

  5. The Sumo-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4 regulates the localization and function of the HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fryrear, Kimberly A.; Guo, Xin

    2012-01-01

    The Really Interesting New Gene (RING) Finger Protein 4 (RNF4) represents a class of ubiquitin ligases that target Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)–modified proteins for ubiquitin modification. To date, the regulatory function of RNF4 appears to be ubiquitin-mediated degradation of sumoylated cellular proteins. In the present study, we show that the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) oncoprotein Tax is a substrate for RNF4 both in vivo and in vitro. We mapped the RNF4-binding site to a region adjacent to the Tax ubiquitin/SUMO modification sites K280/K284. Interestingly, RNF4 modification of Tax protein results in relocalization of the oncoprotein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Overexpression of RNF4, but not the RNF4 RING mutant, resulted in cytoplasmic enrichment of Tax. The RNF4-induced nucleus-to-cytoplasm relocalization was associated with increased NF-κB–mediated and decreased cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB)–mediated Tax activity. Finally, depletion of RNF4 by RNAi prevented the DNA damage–induced nuclear/cytoplasmic translocation of Tax. These results provide important new insight into STUbL-mediated pathways that regulate the subcellular localization and functional dynamics of viral oncogenes. PMID:22106342

  6. Key Amino Acids in the Bacterial (6-4) Photolyase PhrB from Agrobacterium fabrum.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Graf, Dominik; Wesslowski, Janine; Ma, Hongju; Scheerer, Patrick; Krauß, Norbert; Oberpichler, Inga; Zhang, Fan; Lamparter, Tilman

    2015-01-01

    Photolyases can repair pyrimidine dimers on the DNA that are formed during UV irradiation. PhrB from Agrobacterium fabrum represents a new group of prokaryotic (6-4) photolyases which contain an iron-sulfur cluster and a DMRL chromophore. We performed site-directed mutagenesis in order to assess the role of particular amino acid residues in photorepair and photoreduction, during which the FAD chromophore converts from the oxidized to the enzymatically active, reduced form. Our study showed that Trp342 and Trp390 serve as electron transmitters. In the H366A mutant repair activity was lost, which points to a significant role of His366 in the protonation of the lesion, as discussed for the homolog in eukaryotic (6-4) photolyases. Mutants on cysteines that coordinate the Fe-S cluster of PhrB were either insoluble or not expressed. The same result was found for proteins with a truncated C-terminus, in which one of the Fe-S binding cysteines was mutated and for expression in minimal medium with limited Fe concentrations. We therefore assume that the Fe-S cluster is required for protein stability. We further mutated conserved tyrosines that are located between the DNA lesion and the Fe-S cluster. Mutagenesis results showed that Tyr424 was essential for lesion binding and repair, and Tyr430 was required for efficient repair. The results point to an important function of highly conserved tyrosines in prokaryotic (6-4) photolyases.

  7. Key Amino Acids in the Bacterial (6-4 Photolyase PhrB from Agrobacterium fabrum.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dominik Graf

    Full Text Available Photolyases can repair pyrimidine dimers on the DNA that are formed during UV irradiation. PhrB from Agrobacterium fabrum represents a new group of prokaryotic (6-4 photolyases which contain an iron-sulfur cluster and a DMRL chromophore. We performed site-directed mutagenesis in order to assess the role of particular amino acid residues in photorepair and photoreduction, during which the FAD chromophore converts from the oxidized to the enzymatically active, reduced form. Our study showed that Trp342 and Trp390 serve as electron transmitters. In the H366A mutant repair activity was lost, which points to a significant role of His366 in the protonation of the lesion, as discussed for the homolog in eukaryotic (6-4 photolyases. Mutants on cysteines that coordinate the Fe-S cluster of PhrB were either insoluble or not expressed. The same result was found for proteins with a truncated C-terminus, in which one of the Fe-S binding cysteines was mutated and for expression in minimal medium with limited Fe concentrations. We therefore assume that the Fe-S cluster is required for protein stability. We further mutated conserved tyrosines that are located between the DNA lesion and the Fe-S cluster. Mutagenesis results showed that Tyr424 was essential for lesion binding and repair, and Tyr430 was required for efficient repair. The results point to an important function of highly conserved tyrosines in prokaryotic (6-4 photolyases.

  8. Sustained magnetization oscillations in polyaniline-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Araújo, A. C. V. de [Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco (Brazil); Rodrigues, A. R., E-mail: ricalde@df.ufpe.br; Machado, F. L. A.; Rezende, S. M. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco (Brazil); Azevedo, W. M. de [Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, Pernambuco (Brazil)

    2015-09-28

    We report experiments with polyaniline-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} (PANI-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) nanocomposites synthesized under several different conditions. With a reaction carried out at room temperature and assisted by intense ultra-violet (UV) irradiation, we observe sustained oscillations in the magnetization with a period of about 25 min. The oscillations are interpreted as the result of an oscillatory chemical reaction in which part of the Fe{sup +2} ions of magnetite, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, are oxidized by the UV irradiation to form Fe{sup +3} so that a fraction of the magnetite content transforms into maghemite, γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Then, Fe{sup +3} ions at the nanoparticle surfaces are reduced and transformed back into Fe{sup +2}, when acting as an oxidizing agent for polyaniline in the polymerization process. Since maghemite has smaller magnetization than magnetite, the oscillating chemical reaction results in the oscillatory magnetization. The observations are interpreted with the Lotka-Volterra nonlinear coupled equations with parameters that can be adjusted to fit very well the experimental data.

  9. Long-term stability of FeSO{sub 4} and H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} treated chromite ore processing residue (COPR): Importance of H{sup +} and SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Xin [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Zhang, Jingdong [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Wang, Linling, E-mail: wanglinling@mail.hust.edu.cn [School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Chen, Jing, E-mail: chenjing@mail.hust.edu.cn [School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Hou, Huijie; Yang, Jiakuan [School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Lu, Xiaohua [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China)

    2017-01-05

    Highlights: • The long-term stability of the FeSO{sub 4}-H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} treated COPR was evaluated. • Reliable long-term stability for samples curing 400 days was achieved. • H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} significantly enhanced the stabilization efficiency of COPR using FeSO{sub 4}. • H{sup +} and SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} both reinforced Cr(VI) release from COPR core to react with Fe(II). - Abstract: In this study, the long-term stability of Cr(VI) in the FeSO{sub 4} and H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} (FeSO{sub 4}-H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}) treated chromite ore processing residue (COPR) after 400 curing days and the stabilization mechanisms were investigated. FeSO{sub 4}-H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} treatment significantly reduced toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) Cr(VI) concentrations to lower than the regulatory limit of 1.5 mg L{sup −1} (HJ/T 301-2007, China EPA) even for the samples curing 400 days, achieving an outstanding long-term stability. Our independent leaching tests revealed that H{sup +} and SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} have synergistic effect on promoting the release of Cr(VI), which would make Cr(VI) easier accessed by Fe(II) during stabilization. The contributions of H{sup +} and SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} to Cr(VI) release ratio were 25%–44% and 19%–38%, respectively, as 5 mol H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} per kg COPR was used. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and alkaline digestion analyses were also employed to interpret the possible stabilization mechanism. Cr(VI) released from COPR solid was reduced to Cr(III) by Fe(II), and then formed stable Fe{sub x}Cr{sub (1−x)}(OH){sub 3} precipitate. This study provides a facile and reliable scheme for COPR stabilization, and verifies the excellent long-term stability of the FeSO{sub 4}-H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} treated COPR.

  10. Tuning ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2} by Ge and Y substitution

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Weber, Katharina [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany); Institute of Solid State Physics, TU Dresden (Germany); Mufti, Nandang; Bergmann, Christoph; Rosner, Helge; Geibel, Christoph [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany); Goltz, Til; Klauss, Hans-Henning [Institute of Solid State Physics, TU Dresden (Germany); Woike, Theo [Institute for Structural Physics, TU Dresden (Germany)

    2016-07-01

    The intermetallic compound series AFe{sub 4}X{sub 2} (A = Y, Lu, Zr; X = Si, Ge) presents a rare case of magnetic frustrated metallic systems. In particular ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2} is of strong interest because our results indicate this system to be very close to a quantum critical point (QCP) where Fe magnetic order disappears. To get a deeper insight into its ground state, we performed a detailed study of Ge and Y substituted ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2}. The isovalent substitution of Ge for Si induces a negative chemical pressure as Ge is larger than Si. As expected from this, the substitution results in the formation of a well-defined antiferromagnetic order with Neel temperatures increasing up to 25 K at 40 % Ge. This confirms ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2} to be extremely close to the QCP, just on the magnetic side of it. With the second substitution series Y{sub x}Zr{sub 1-x}Fe{sub 4}Si{sub 2} we investigate the development from the highly reduced antiferromagnetic order in ZrFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2} towards the two magnetic transitions at 56 K and 76 K, which we see in YFe{sub 4}Si{sub 2}.

  11. Synthesis and characterization of magnetic opal/Fe3O4 colloidal crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Carmona-Carmona, A. J.; Palomino-Ovando, M. A.; Hernández-Cristobal, Orlando; Sánchez-Mora, E.; Toledo-Solano, M.

    2017-03-01

    We report an experimental study of colloidal crystals based on SiO2 artificial opals, infiltrated with 1.34(M1), 2.03(M2) and 24.4(M3) wt% Fe3O4 nanoparticles, using the co-assembly method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to study the structural, magnetic and optical properties of the samples. At 300 K all the samples exhibit superparamagnetic behavior due to the magnetic coupling of Fe3O4 nanoparticles infiltrated into opal. However, for higher concentration of nanoparticles this strong coupling distorts the opal network. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Kubelka-Munk theory were applied to determine that the energy band gap of the opal-magnetite composites can be adjusted by varying the concentration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This values are between the energy band gap of SiO2 and Fe3O4.

  12. Enhanced high-frequency microwave absorption of Fe3O4 architectures based on porous nanoflake

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Wang, Xiaoliang; Liu, Yanguo; Han, Hongyan

    2017-01-01

    Hierarchical Fe3O4 architectures assembled with porous nanoplates (p-Fe3O4) were synthesized. Due to the strong shape anisotropy of the nanoplates, the p-Fe3O4 exhibits increased microwave resonance towards high frequency range. The improved microwave absorption properties of the p-Fe3O4, including...

  13. Enhanced high-frequency microwave absorption of Fe3O4 architectures based on porous nanoflake

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Wang, Xiaoliang; Liu, Yanguo; Han, Hongyan

    2017-01-01

    Hierarchical Fe3O4 architectures assembled with porous nanoplates (p-Fe3O4) were synthesized. Due to the strong shape anisotropy of the nanoplates, the p-Fe3O4 exhibits increased microwave resonance towards high frequency range. The improved microwave absorption properties of the p-Fe3O4, includi...

  14. Thermal analysis of a LiFePo4 Battery

    OpenAIRE

    Balanguer Escolano, David

    2014-01-01

    The objective of this final thesis project was to study and test a 3,3V LiFePo4 battery in outer space conditions to be able to determine its working range, its limitations and its problems. To do so a measuring set-up to read and estimate the capacity of a battery was built and programmed. Then the LiFePo4 battery was tested at different temperatures between -20°C and 40°C in a vacuum chamber at a pressure under 100 microbars. The results showed that the battery can still operate prope...

  15. Interface interaction in the B{sub 4}C/(Fe-B-C) system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Aizenshtein, M. [Department of Material Engineering, Ben-Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105 (Israel); NRC-Negev, P.O. Box 9001, Beer-Sheva 84190 (Israel); Mizrahi, I.; Froumin, N.; Hayun, S.; Dariel, M.P. [Department of Material Engineering, Ben-Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105 (Israel); Frage, N. [Department of Material Engineering, Ben-Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105 (Israel)], E-mail: nfrage@bgu.ac.il

    2008-11-15

    The wetting behavior in the B{sub 4}C/(Fe-C-B) system was investigated in order to clarify the role of Fe additions on the sinterability of B{sub 4}C. Iron and its alloys with C and B react with the boron carbide substrate and form a reaction zone consisting of a fine mixture of FeB and graphite. The apparent contact angles are relatively low for the alloys with a moderate concentration of the boron and carbon and allow liquid phase sintering to occur in the B{sub 4}C-Fe mixtures. A dilatometric study of the sintering kinetics confirms that liquid phase sintering actually takes place and leads to improved mass transfer. A thermodynamic analysis of the ternary Fe-B-C system allows accounting for the experimental observations.

  16. Nanotextured Spikes of α-Fe2O3/NiFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Water.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hussain, Shabeeb; Tavakoli, Mohammad Mahdi; Waleed, Aashir; Virk, Umar Siddique; Yang, Shihe; Waseem, Amir; Fan, Zhiyong; Nadeem, Muhammad Arif

    2018-03-27

    We demonstrate for the first time the application of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin films as anode materials for light-assisted electrolysis of water. The p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin films were deposited on planar fluorinated tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass as well as on 3D array of nanospike (NSP) substrates. The effect of substrate (planar FTO and 3D-NSP) and percentage change of each component (i.e., NiFe 2 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 ) of composite was studied on photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation reaction. This work also includes the performance comparison of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite (planar and NSP) devices with pure hematite for PEC water oxidation. Overall, the nanostructured p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 device with equal molar 1:1 ratio of NiFe 2 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 was found to be highly efficient for PEC water oxidation as compared with pure hematite, 1:2 and 1:3 molar ratios of composite. The photocurrent density of 1:1 composite thin film on planar substrate was equal to 1.07 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE , which was 1.7 times higher current density as compared with pure hematite device (0.63 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE ). The performance of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composites in PEC water oxidation was further enhanced by their deposition over 3D-NSP substrate. The highest photocurrent density of 2.1 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE was obtained for the 1:1 molar ratio p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite on NSP (NF1-NSP), which was 3.3 times more photocurrent density than pure hematite. The measured applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) value of NF1-NSP (0.206%) was found to be 1.87 times higher than that of NF1-P (0.11%) and 4.7 times higher than that of pure hematite deposited on FTO-coated glass (0.044%). The higher PEC water oxidation activity of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin film as compared with pure hematite is attributed to the Z-path scheme and better separation of electrons and holes. The increased surface area and greater light

  17. Solitary Magnons in the S=5/2 Antiferromagnet CaFe_{2}O_{4}.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stock, C; Rodriguez, E E; Lee, N; Green, M A; Demmel, F; Ewings, R A; Fouquet, P; Laver, M; Niedermayer, Ch; Su, Y; Nemkovski, K; Rodriguez-Rivera, J A; Cheong, S-W

    2016-07-01

    CaFe_{2}O_{4} is a S=5/2 anisotropic antiferromagnet based upon zig-zag chains having two competing magnetic structures, denoted as the A (↑↑↓↓) and B (↑↓↑↓) phases, which differ by the c-axis stacking of ferromagnetic stripes. We apply neutron scattering to demonstrate that the competing A and B phase order parameters result in magnetic antiphase boundaries along c which freeze on the time scale of ∼1  ns at the onset of magnetic order at 200 K. Using high resolution neutron spectroscopy, we find quantized spin wave levels and measure 9 such excitations localized in regions ∼1-2 c-axis lattice constants in size. We discuss these in the context of solitary magnons predicted to exist in anisotropic systems. The magnetic anisotropy affords both competing A+B orders as well as localization of spin excitations in a classical magnet.

  18. Development of novel exchange spring magnet by employing nanocomposites of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and CoFe{sub 2}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Safi, Rohollah; Ghasemi, Ali, E-mail: ali13912001@yahoo.com; Shoja-Razavi, Reza; Tavoosi, Majid

    2016-12-01

    CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}−CoFe2 hard–soft nanocomposites were prepared via reduction of the cobalt ferrite CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} in hydrogen atmosphere at different temperature. The structure and the room temperature magnetization of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite powders increases by reduction temperature while their coercivity decreases. The highest M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio of 0.52 was obtained for sample reduced at 550 °C. Single smooth hysteresis loops of nanocomposites show that these nanocomposites behave as the single-phase materials. This result indicates the presence of exchange coupling between two different hard and soft phases. - Highlights: • CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}–CoFe{sub 2} was successfully synthesized by reduction diffusion process. • Two phases are effectively exchange coupled in nanocomposite. • Single smooth hysteresis loop was developed in nanocomposites.

  19. In situ QXAFS observation of the reduction of Fe2O3 and CaFe2O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kimura, Masao; Takayama, Toru; Murao, Reiko; Nomura, Masaharu; Uemura, Yohei; Asakura, Kiyotaka

    2013-01-01

    In situ QXAFS studies of the reduction of α-Fe 2 O 3 and CaFe 2 O 4 were conducted to determine their reduction kinetics and mechanisms. The reduction of α-Fe 2 O 3 involved two steps, the first being a very fast process in which Fe 3+ was reduced to Fe 2+ and the second being the reduction of Fe 2+ to Fe metal over a longer period. In contrast, the reduction of Fe in CaFe 2 O 4 was a single first-order reaction, although an induction period was clearly observed at the beginning of the reduction process. The reduction processes were successfully studied using a combination of in situ QXAFS spectra at the Ca and Fe K-edges.

  20. Fabrication of magnetically recyclable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites with high catalytic performance for the reduction of organic dyes and 4-nitrophenol

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Tang, Mingyi, E-mail: mingyitjucu@163.com [Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134 (China); Zhang, Sai; Li, Xianxian; Pang, Xiaobo [Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134 (China); Qiu, Haixia [School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072 (China)

    2014-12-15

    A facile and efficient approach to synthesize Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites using L-Lysine as a linker was developed. The morphology, composition and crystallinity of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. In addition, the magnetic properties were determined with vibrating sample magnetometer. The surface of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} contained many small Cu nanoparticles with sizes of about 3 nm. It was found that the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites could catalyze the degradation of organic dyes. The catalytic activities of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites for the reduction of nitrophenol were also studied. The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites are more efficient catalysts compared with Cu nanoparticles and can easily be recovered from the reaction mixture with magnet. The cost effective and recyclable Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu nanocomposites provide an exciting new material for environmental protection applications. - Highlights: • Cu nanoparticles as small as 3 nm are synthesized. • Low cost Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu magnetical nanoparticles show catalytic activity for organic dyes and 4-nitrophenol. • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@Cu display high catalytic activity after 13 cycles.

  1. Effects of neodymium aliovalent substitution on the structure and electrochemical performance of LiFePO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao Xian; Tang Xiaozhen; Zhang Li; Zhao Minshou; Zhai Jing

    2010-01-01

    LiFe 1-x Nd x PO 4 /C (x = 0-0.08) cathode material was synthesized using a solid-state reaction. The synthesis conditions were optimized by thermal analysis of the precursor and magnetic properties of LiFePO 4 /C. The structure and electrochemical performances of the material were studied using XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge. The results show that a small amount of aliovalent Nd 3+ ion-dopant substitution on Fe 2+ ions can effectively reduce the particle size of LiFePO 4 /C. Cell parameters of LiFe 1-x Nd x PO 4 (x = 0.04-0.08) were calculated, and the results showed that LiFe 1-x Nd x PO 4 /C had the same olivine structure as LiFePO 4 . LiFe 0.4 Nd 0.6 PO 4 /C delivers the discharge capacity of 165.2 mAh g -1 at rate of 0.2 C and the capacity retention rate is 92.8% after 100 cycles. Charge-transfer resistance decreases with the addition of glucose and Nd 3+ ions. Poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) was synthesized and PZS nanorods were used as a carbon source to coat LiFePO 4 . All of the results show that aliovalent doping substitution of Fe in LiFePO 4 is well tolerated.

  2. Reversible Photoinduced Reductive Elimination of H2 from the Nitrogenase Dihydride State, the E(4)(4H) Janus Intermediate.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lukoyanov, Dmitriy; Khadka, Nimesh; Yang, Zhi-Yong; Dean, Dennis R; Seefeldt, Lance C; Hoffman, Brian M

    2016-02-03

    We recently demonstrated that N2 reduction by nitrogenase involves the obligatory release of one H2 per N2 reduced. These studies focus on the E4(4H) "Janus intermediate", which has accumulated four reducing equivalents as two [Fe-H-Fe] bridging hydrides. E4(4H) is poised to bind and reduce N2 through reductive elimination (re) of the two hydrides as H2, coupled to the binding/reduction of N2. To obtain atomic-level details of the re activation process, we carried out in situ 450 nm photolysis of E4(4H) in an EPR cavity at temperatures below 20 K. ENDOR and EPR measurements show that photolysis generates a new FeMo-co state, denoted E4(2H)*, through the photoinduced re of the two bridging hydrides of E4(4H) as H2. During cryoannealing at temperatures above 175 K, E4(2H)* reverts to E4(4H) through the oxidative addition (oa) of the H2. The photolysis quantum yield is temperature invariant at liquid helium temperatures and shows a rather large kinetic isotope effect, KIE = 10. These observations imply that photoinduced release of H2 involves a barrier to the combination of the two nascent H atoms, in contrast to a barrierless process for monometallic inorganic complexes, and further suggest that H2 formation involves nuclear tunneling through that barrier. The oa recombination of E4(2H)* with the liberated H2 offers compelling evidence for the Janus intermediate as the point at which H2 is necessarily lost during N2 reduction; this mechanistically coupled loss must be gated by N2 addition that drives the re/oa equilibrium toward reductive elimination of H2 with N2 binding/reduction.

  3. Electronic and magnetic properties of organic conductors (DMET)2MBr4 (M=Fe, Ga)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Enomoto, Kengo; Miyazaki, Akira; Enoki, Toshiaki; Yamaura, Jun-ichi

    2003-01-01

    (DMET) 2 MBr 4 (M=Fe, Ga) are isostructural organic conductors whose crystal structure consists of an alternate stacking of quasi one-dimensional chain-based donor layers and anion square lattices. The resistivity, ESR, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and magnetoresistance of these salts were investigated in order to clarify the correlation between the electronic structure and the magnetism. The electronic structures of both salts are metallic down to T MI - 40 K, below which a Mott insulating state is stabilized, accompanied by an SDW transition at T SDW - 25 K. The FeBr 4 salt with Fe 3+ (S=5/2) localized spins undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at T N = 3.7 K. In the FeBr 4 salt, the magnetization curves, which show field-direction-dependent anomalies in addition to a spin-flop transition, are demonstrated to have a participation of donor π-electron spins in the magnetization processes. The field dependence of the magnetoresistances below T N tracks faithfully that of the magnetization, where the donor π-electrons and Fe 3+ d-electrons are responsible for the former and the latter, respectively. This clearly demonstrates the presence of the π-d interaction that plays an important role in the interplay between electron transport and magnetism. (author)

  4. Dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhou, Hongyi, E-mail: zhouhy@zjut.edu.cn [College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032 (China); Han, Jian [College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032 (China); Baig, Shams Ali; Xu, Xinhua [Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China)

    2011-12-30

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were synthesized and used for 2,4-D removal. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Particle stability, {zeta}-potential and IEP of non- and stabilized Pd/Fe were compared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dechlorination of 2,4-D by different Pd/Fe systems was investigated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The reaction mechanism has been discussed and presented in the article. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Effects of CMC/Fe mass ratio and pH were also investigated. - Abstract: This paper describes the synthesis of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles and their applications to the dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under controlled laboratorial conditions. For this purpose batch mode experiments were conducted to understand the effects of CMC on the surface characteristics of Pd/Fe nanoparticles, optimum removal of 2,4-D and other surface interactions mechanism. Our experimental results demonstrated considerable enhancements in particle stability and chemical reactivity with the addition of CMC to Pd/Fe nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis indicated that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were well dispersed, and nanoparticles remained in suspension for days compared to non-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles precipitated within minutes. The isoelectric point (IEP) of the nanoparticles shifted from pH 6.5 to 2.5, suggesting that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles were negatively charged over a wider pH range. Our batch experiments demonstrated that CMC-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles (0.6 g Fe L{sup -1}) were able to remove much higher levels of 2,4-D with only one intermediate 2-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (2-CPA) and the final organic product phenoxyacetic acid (PA), than non-stabilized Pd/Fe nanoparticles or microsized Pd/Fe particles. The removal percentage of 2,4-D increased from 10% to nearly 100% as the reaction pH decreased from 11

  5. Synthesis of LiFePO{sub 4}/polyacenes using iron oxyhydroxide as an iron source

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yang, Guiling; Zhang, Xianfa; Liu, Jing; He, Xingguang; Wang, Jiawei; Xie, Haiming; Wang, Rongshun [Institute of Functional Materials, Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024 (China); LIB Engineering Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Center, Changchun, Jilin 130024 (China)

    2010-02-15

    LiFePO{sub 4}/polyacenes (PAS) composite is synthesized by iron oxyhydroxide as a new raw material and phenol-formaldehyde resin as both reducing agent and carbon source. The mechanism of the reaction is outlined by the analysis of XRD, FTIR as well as TG/DSC. The results show that the formation of LiFePO{sub 4} is started at 300 C, and above 550 C, the product can be mainly ascribed to olivine LiFePO{sub 4}. The electrochemical properties of the synthesized composites are investigated by charge-discharge tests. It is found that the prepared sample at 750 C (S750) has a better electrochemical performance than samples prepared at other temperatures. A discharge capacity of 158 mAh g{sup -1} is delivered at 0.2 C. Under high discharge rate of 10 C, a discharge capacity of 145 mAh g{sup -1} and good capacity retention of 93% after 800 cycles are achieved. The morphology of S750 and PAS distribution in it are investigated by SEM and TEM. (author)

  6. Fe3O4 thin films sputter deposited from iron oxide targets

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Peng, Yingguo; Park, Chandro; Laughlin, David E.

    2003-01-01

    Fe 3 O 4 thin films have been directly sputter deposited from a target consisting of a mixture of Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 onto Si and glass substrates. The magnetic properties and microstructures of the films have been characterized and correlated. The columnar growth of the Fe 3 O 4 grains was found to be initialized from the substrate surface without any critical thickness. Substrate bias was found to be a very effective means of improving the crystal quality and magnetic properties of the thin films. The crystallographic defects revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy seem to be a characteristic of the films prepared by this method

  7. A novel heterogeneous system for sulfate radical generation through sulfite activation on a CoFe2O4 nanocatalyst surface.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Zizheng; Yang, Shaojie; Yuan, Yanan; Xu, Jing; Zhu, Yifan; Li, Jinjun; Wu, Feng

    2017-02-15

    Heterogeneous catalytic activation is important for potential application of new sulfate-radical-based advanced oxidation process using sulfite as source of sulfate radical. We report herein a heterogeneous system for sulfite activation by CoFe 2 O 4 nanocatalyst for metoprolol removal. Factors that influence metoprolol removal were investigated, including pH and initial concentrations of components. The CoFe 2 O 4 nanocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the catalytic stability was tested by consecutive runs. Radicals generated in the CoFe 2 O 4 S(IV)O 2 system were identified through radical quenching experiments and by electron spin resonance (ESR). The catalytic mechanism was elucidated further by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic process was dependent on initial pH, and more than 80% of the metoprolol can be removed at pH 10.0 following the Langmubir-Hinshelwood equation. The generation of Co-OH complexes on the CoFe 2 O 4 surface was crucial for sulfite activation. SO 4 - was verified to be the main oxidative species responsible for metoprolol degradation. Other organic pollutants, such as sulfanilamide, sulfasalazine, 2-nitroaniline, sulfapyridine, aniline, azo dye X-3B and 4-chloroaniline, could also be removed in this CoFe 2 O 4 S(IV)O 2 system. The results suggest that the CoFe 2 O 4 S(IV)O 2 system has good application prospects in alkaline organic wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Influence of ruthenium ions on the precipitation of α-FeOOH, α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 in highly alkaline media

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Krehula, Stjepko; Music, Svetozar

    2006-01-01

    The influence of ruthenium ions on the precipitation of goethite (α-FeOOH), α-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 in highly alkaline media was investigated by 57 Fe Moessbauer and FT-IR spectroscopies, thermal field emission scanning electron microscope (FE SEM) and EDS. The presence of Ru-dopant strongly affected the precipitation of α-FeOOH at highly alkaline pH, i.e. the formation of α-Fe 2 O 3 was also noticed. A decrease of hyperfine magnetic field (HMF) at RT from 35.1 T (undoped α-FeOOH) to 31.3 T for sample with [Ru]/([Ru] + [Fe]) = 0.0196 was assigned to the incorporation of ruthenium ions into the α-FeOOH structure. Moessbauer spectroscopy showed the formation of stoichiometric Fe 3 O 4 for [Ru]/([Ru] + [Fe]) = 0.0291-0.0909. α-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 did not show a tendency to the formation of solid solutions with ruthenium ions. FE SEM observations of the samples showed that reference α-FeOOH sample contained acicular particles of good uniformity, which increased the length up to ∼5 times with increase of concentration of ruthenium ions. On the other hand, large octahedral Fe 3 O 4 crystals (particles) were associated with small particles of ruthenium (hydrous) oxide with a size in the range ∼100 nm or less. A possible catalytic action of ruthenium that created reduction conditions for Fe 3+ ions and formation of Fe 2+ ions for precipitation of Fe 3 O 4 was discussed

  9. Size-controlled Synthesis and Characterization of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles by Chemical Coprecipitation Method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chia Chin Hua; Sarani Zakaria; Farahiyan, R.; Liew Tze Khong; Mustaffa Abdullah; Sahrim Ahmad; Nguyen, K.L.

    2008-01-01

    Magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles have been synthesized using the chemical coprecipitation method. The Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were likely formed via dissolution-recrystallization process. During the precipitation process, ferrihydrite and Fe(OH) 2 particles formed aggregates and followed by the formation of spherical Fe 3 O 4 particles. The synthesized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and in single crystal form. The synthesis temperature and the degree of agitation during the precipitation were found to be decisive in controlling the crystallite and particle size of the produced Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. Lower temperature and higher degree of agitation were the favorable conditions for producing smaller particle. The magnetic properties (saturation magnetization and coercivity) of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles increased with the particle size. (author)

  10. Characterization of the sterol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate binding properties of Golgi-associated OSBP-related protein 9 (ORP9.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xinwei Liu

    Full Text Available Oxysterol binding protein (OSBP and OSBP-related proteins (ORPS have a conserved lipid-binding fold that accommodates cholesterol, oxysterols and/or phospholipids. The diversity of OSBP/ORPs and their potential ligands has complicated the analysis of transfer and signalling properties of this mammalian gene family. In this study we explored the use of the fluorescent sterol cholestatrienol (CTL to measure sterol binding by ORP9 and competition by other putative ligands. Relative to cholesterol, CTL and dehydroergosterol (DHE were poor ligands for OSBP. In contrast, both long (ORP9L and short (ORP9S variants of ORP9 rapidly extracted CTL, and to a lesser extent DHE, from liposomes. ORP9L and ORP9S also extracted [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI-4P from liposomes, which was inhibited by mutating two conserved histidine residues (HH488,489AA at the entrance to the binding pocket but not by a mutation in the lid region that inhibited cholesterol binding. Results of direct binding and competition assays showed that phosphatidylserine was poorly extracted from liposomes by ORP9 compared to CTL and PI-4P. ORP9L and PI-4P did not co-localize in the trans-Golgi/TGN of HeLa cells, and siRNA silencing of ORP9L expression did not affect PI-4P distribution in the Golgi apparatus. However, transient overexpression of ORP9L or ORP9S in CHO cells, but not the corresponding PI-4P binding mutants, prevented immunostaining of Golgi-associated PI-4P. The apparent sequestration of Golgi PI-4P by ORP9S was identified as a possible mechanism for its growth inhibitory effects. These studies identify ORP9 as a dual sterol/PI-4P binding protein that could regulate PI-4P in the Golgi apparatus.

  11. Characterization of the sterol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate binding properties of Golgi-associated OSBP-related protein 9 (ORP9).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Xinwei; Ridgway, Neale D

    2014-01-01

    Oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) and OSBP-related proteins (ORPS) have a conserved lipid-binding fold that accommodates cholesterol, oxysterols and/or phospholipids. The diversity of OSBP/ORPs and their potential ligands has complicated the analysis of transfer and signalling properties of this mammalian gene family. In this study we explored the use of the fluorescent sterol cholestatrienol (CTL) to measure sterol binding by ORP9 and competition by other putative ligands. Relative to cholesterol, CTL and dehydroergosterol (DHE) were poor ligands for OSBP. In contrast, both long (ORP9L) and short (ORP9S) variants of ORP9 rapidly extracted CTL, and to a lesser extent DHE, from liposomes. ORP9L and ORP9S also extracted [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI-4P) from liposomes, which was inhibited by mutating two conserved histidine residues (HH488,489AA) at the entrance to the binding pocket but not by a mutation in the lid region that inhibited cholesterol binding. Results of direct binding and competition assays showed that phosphatidylserine was poorly extracted from liposomes by ORP9 compared to CTL and PI-4P. ORP9L and PI-4P did not co-localize in the trans-Golgi/TGN of HeLa cells, and siRNA silencing of ORP9L expression did not affect PI-4P distribution in the Golgi apparatus. However, transient overexpression of ORP9L or ORP9S in CHO cells, but not the corresponding PI-4P binding mutants, prevented immunostaining of Golgi-associated PI-4P. The apparent sequestration of Golgi PI-4P by ORP9S was identified as a possible mechanism for its growth inhibitory effects. These studies identify ORP9 as a dual sterol/PI-4P binding protein that could regulate PI-4P in the Golgi apparatus.

  12. Bactericidal effect of blue LED light irradiated TiO2/Fe3O4 particles on fish pathogen in seawater

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cheng, T.C.; Yao, K.S.; Yeh, N.; Chang, C.I.; Hsu, H.C.; Gonzalez, F.; Chang, C.Y.

    2011-01-01

    This study uses blue LED light (λ max = 475 nm) activated TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 particles to evaluate the particles' photocatalytic activity efficiency and bactericidal effects in seawater of variable salinities. Different TiO 2 to Fe 3 O 4 mole ratios have been synthesized using sol-gel method. The synthesized particles contain mainly anatase TiO 2 , Fe 3 O 4 and FeTiO 3 . The study has identified TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 's bactericidal effect to marine fish pathogen (Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida BCRC17065) in seawater. The SEM photo reveals the surface destruction in bacteria incubated with blue LED irradiated TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 . The result of this study indicates that 1) TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 acquires photocatalytic activities in both the freshwater and the seawater via blue LED irradiation, 2) higher photocatalytic activities appear in solutions of higher TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 mole ratio, and 3) photocatalytic activity decreases as salinity increases. These results suggest that the energy saving blue LED light is a feasible light source to activate TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 photocatalytic activities in both freshwater and seawater.

  13. Specific assay measuring binding of /sup 125/I-Gp 120 from HIV to T4/sup +//CD4/sup +/ cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lundin, K.; Nygren, A.; Ramstedt, U.; Gidlund, M.; Wigzell, H.; Arthur, L.O.; Robey, W.G.; Morein, B.

    1987-02-26

    The HIV (HTLV-III) envelope glycoprotein, Gp120, was isolated from virus-infected tissue culture cells using affinity chromatography. A radioimmunoassay was developed to determine the degree of iodinated Gp120 to target CD4/sup +/ (T4/sup +/) cells. /sup 125/I-Gp120 could be shown to selectively bind to CD4/sup +/ cells only. The Gp120 remained bound to these cells after repeated washes. Monoclonal anti-CD4 antibodies block the binding of Gp120 to CD4/sup +/ cells. Monoclonal antibodies to other cell surface components do not interfere with /sup 125/I-Gp120 binding. All IgG antibodies from HIV seropositive donors tested block /sup 125/I-GP120 binding, though with variable titers. The authors believe that this assay provides further proof for the use of CD4 (T4) as a component of the receptor for HIV. It represents a safe, objective and sensitive method for the analysis of Gp120-CD4 interactions, as well as the potential of antibodies to interfere with this binding. (Auth.). 24 refs.; 2 figs.; 8 tabs.

  14. Structural characterization of FeVO{sub 4} synthesized by co-precipitation method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bera, Ganesh; Sinha, Sourav; Rambabu, P.; Das, P.; Gupta, A. K.; Turpu, G. R., E-mail: dr.tgreddy@gmail.com [Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur 495 009 (India)

    2016-05-06

    A Low temperature method for synthesizing triclinic FeVO{sub 4} nanoparticles is manifested through co-precipitation method. Three precursor materials taken for the synthesis are Iron Nitrate, Ammonium Metavanadate and NaOH along with DI water. The attained precipitate was dried at 100°C for overnight and calcined at different temperatures ranging from 400°C - 650°C. The achieved powdered materials are studied through X-ray diffraction and found to be in pure single phase of P-1 space group symmetry. The crystallite size measured through Scherrer’s method is in found to be in the range of 40-60 nm. Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out at room temperature. Raman spectra is in agreement with the reported structural data of FeVO{sub 4}.

  15. Biocompatibility of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chen DZ

    2012-09-01

    Full Text Available Daozhen Chen,1,3,* Qiusha Tang,2,* Xiangdong Li,3,* Xiaojin Zhou,1 Jia Zang,1 Wen-qun Xue,1 Jing-ying Xiang,1 Cai-qin Guo11Central Laboratory, Wuxi Hospital for Matemaland Child Health Care Affiliated Medical School of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province; 2Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Medical College, Southeast University, Jiangsu Province; 3The People’s Hospital of Aheqi County, Xinjiang, China *These authors contributed equally to this workBackground: The objective of this study was to evaluate the synthesis and biocompatibility of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and investigate their therapeutic effects when combined with magnetic fluid hyperthermia on cultured MCF-7 cancer cells.Methods: Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared using a coprecipitation method. The appearance, structure, phase composition, functional groups, surface charge, magnetic susceptibility, and release in vitro were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and a vibrating sample magnetometer. Blood toxicity, in vitro toxicity, and genotoxicity were investigated. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] and flow cytometry assays.Results: Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the shapes of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were approximately spherical, with diameters of about 26.1 ± 5.2 nm. Only the spinel phase was indicated in a comparison of the x-ray diffraction data with Joint Corporation of Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS X-ray powder diffraction files. The O-to-Fe ratio of the Fe3O4 was determined by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis, and approximated pure Fe3O4. The vibrating sample magnetometer hysteresis loop suggested that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were superparamagnetic at room temperature. MTT experiments showed that the toxicity of the material

  16. Microscopic optical and photoelectron measurements of MWO4 (M=Mn, Fe, and Ni)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ejima, T.; Banse, T.; Takatsuka, H.; Kondo, Y.; Ishino, M.; Kimura, N.; Watanabe, M.; Matsubara, I.

    2006-01-01

    Microscopic optical (absorption and reflection) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements were performed on single microcrystals of transition-metal tungstates, MWO 4 (M=Mn, Fe, and Ni) at room temperature using Schwarzschild objectives and laboratory light sources. The diameters of the spots were 40 μm (optical) and 13 μm (UPS). From the reflectance spectra, the absorption coefficient spectra were obtained through Kramers-Kronig analyses. The weak structures of absorption spectra attributed to the d-d transitions in transition metals suggest that the M3d states contribute to the upper part of the valence band. The UPS spectra suggest that the O2p and M3d states hybridize and spread wide in the valence band. The bottom of the conduction band is attributed to the empty M3d state in NiWO 4 , but the empty M4s states in FeWO 4 and MnWO 4 . The contribution of the W5d state in the conduction band is located in the higher energy side

  17. Control of cytoplasmic and nuclear protein kinase A by phosphodiesterases and phosphatases in cardiac myocytes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Haj Slimane, Zeineb; Bedioune, Ibrahim; Lechêne, Patrick; Varin, Audrey; Lefebvre, Florence; Mateo, Philippe; Domergue-Dupont, Valérie; Dewenter, Matthias; Richter, Wito; Conti, Marco; El-Armouche, Ali; Zhang, Jin; Fischmeister, Rodolphe; Vandecasteele, Grégoire

    2014-01-01

    Aims The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) mediates β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) regulation of cardiac contraction and gene expression. Whereas PKA activity is well characterized in various subcellular compartments of adult cardiomyocytes, its regulation in the nucleus remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare the modalities of PKA regulation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cardiomyocytes. Methods and results Cytoplasmic and nuclear cAMP and PKA activity were measured with targeted fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes in adult rat ventricular myocytes. β-AR stimulation with isoprenaline (Iso) led to fast cAMP elevation in both compartments, whereas PKA activity was fast in the cytoplasm but markedly slower in the nucleus. Iso was also more potent and efficient in activating cytoplasmic than nuclear PKA. Similar slow kinetics of nuclear PKA activation was observed upon adenylyl cyclase activation with L-858051 or phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine. Consistently, pulse stimulation with Iso (15 s) maximally induced PKA and myosin-binding protein C phosphorylation in the cytoplasm, but marginally activated PKA and cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation in the nucleus. Inhibition of PDE4 or ablation of the Pde4d gene in mice prolonged cytoplasmic PKA activation and enhanced nuclear PKA responses. In the cytoplasm, phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) contributed to the termination of PKA responses, whereas only PP1 played a role in the nucleus. Conclusion Our study reveals a differential integration of cytoplasmic and nuclear PKA responses to β-AR stimulation in cardiac myocytes. This may have important implications in the physiological and pathological hypertrophic response to β-AR stimulation. PMID:24550350

  18. Green Synthesis of Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles Using Seaweed ( Kappaphycus alvarezii) Extract

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yew, Yen Pin; Shameli, Kamyar; Miyake, Mikio; Kuwano, Noriyuki; Bt Ahmad Khairudin, Nurul Bahiyah; Bt Mohamad, Shaza Eva; Lee, Kar Xin

    2016-06-01

    In this study, a simple, rapid, and eco-friendly green method was introduced to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) successfully. Seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii ( K. alvarezii) was employed as a green reducing and stabilizing agents. The synthesized Fe3O4-NPs were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The X-ray diffraction planes at (220), (311), (400), (422), (511), (440), and (533) were corresponding to the standard Fe3O4 patterns, which showed the high purity and crystallinity of Fe3O4-NPs had been synthesized. Based on FT-IR analysis, two characteristic absorption peaks were observed at 556 and 423 cm-1, which proved the existence of Fe3O4 in the prepared nanoparticles. TEM image displayed the synthesized Fe3O4-NPs were mostly in spherical shape with an average size of 14.7 nm.

  19. In-Situ Preparation and Magnetic Properties of Fe3O4/WOOD Composite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gao, Honglin; Zhang, Genlin; Wu, Guoyuan; Guan, Hongtao

    2011-06-01

    Fe3O4/wood composite, a magnetic material, was prepared by In-situ chemosynthesis method at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the average partical size of Fe3O4 was about 14 nm. The magnetic properties of the resulting composites were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The composites have saturation magnetization (Ms) values from 4.7 to 25.3 emu/g with the increase of weight percent gains (WPG) of the wood for the composites, but coercive forces (Hc) are invariable, which is different from the magnetic materials reported before. It may be due to the fact that the interaction between wood and Fe3O4 becomes stronger when less of Fe3O4 particles are introduced in the composition, and this also changes the surface anisotropy (Ks) of the magnetism. A structural characterization by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) proved the interaction between Fe3O4 particles and wood matrix, and it also illustrates that this interaction influences the coercive force of the composite.

  20. Na7 [Fe2S6 ] , Na2 [FeS2 ] and Na2 [FeSe2 ] : New 'reduced' sodium chalcogenido ferrates

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stüble, Pirmin; Peschke, Simon; Johrendt, Dirk; Röhr, Caroline

    2018-02-01

    Three new 'reduced' FeII containing sodium chalcogenido ferrates were obtained applying a reductive synthetic route. The mixed-valent sulfido ferrate Na7 [Fe2S6 ] , which forms bar-shaped crystals with metallic greenish luster, was synthesized in pure phase from natural pyrite and elemental sodium at a maximum temperature of 800 °C. Its centrosymmetric triclinic structure (SG P 1 bar , a = 764.15(2), b = 1153.70(2), c = 1272.58(3) pm, α = 62.3325 (7) , β = 72.8345 (8) , γ = 84.6394 (8) ° , Z = 3, R1 = 0.0185) exhibits two crystallographically different [Fe2S6 ] 7 - dimers of edge-sharing [FeS4 ] tetrahedra, with somewhat larger Fe-S distances than in the fully oxidized FeIII dimers of e.g. Na6 [Fe2III S6 ] . In contrast to the localized AFM ordered pure di-ferrates(III), the Curie-Weiss behavior of the magnetic susceptibility proves the rarely observed valence-delocalized S = 9/2 state of the mixed-valent FeIII /FeII dimer. The nearly spin-only value of the magnetic moment combined with the chemical bonding not generally differing from that in pure ferrates(II) and (III), provides a striking argument, that the reduction of the local Fe spin moments observed in all condensed sulfido ferrate moieties is connected with the AFM spin ordering. The two isotypic ferrates(II) Na2 [FeS2 ] and Na2 [FeSe2 ] with chain-like structural units (SG Ibam, a = 643.54(8)/ 660.81(1), b = 1140.2(2)/1190.30(2) c = 562.90(6)/585.59(1) pm, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0372/0.0466) crystallize in the K2 [ZnO2 ] -type structure. Although representing merely further members of the common series of chalcogenido metallates(II) Na2 [MIIQ2 ] , these two new phases, together with Na6 [FeS4 ] and Li2 [FeS2 ] , are the only examples of pure FeII alkali chalcogenido ferrates. The new compounds allow for a general comparison of di- and chain ferrates(II) and (III) and mixed-valent analogs concerning the electronic and magnetic properties (including Heisenberg super-exchange and double-exchange interactions

  1. Crystal structure of LaFe5Ge3O15 = LaFe5[GeO4][Ge2O7]O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Genkina, E.A.; Maksimov, B.A.; Mill, B.V.

    1991-01-01

    The authors have determined the structure of a new lanthanum-iron germanate LaFe 5 [GeO 4 ][GeO 4 ][Ge 2 O 7 ]O 4 (a = 18.040(4), b = 17.012(4), c = 7.591(1) angstrom, V = 2330.2(9) angstrom 3 , Z = 8, ρ t = 4.99 g/cm 3 , space ground Cmca, 1976 I hkl ≥ 3 σ(I), R = 4.5%). The compound is interesting because the framework simultaneously contains ortho- and diorthogroups of Ge and because of a classical set of coordination numbers (4,5,6) characteristic of trivalent iron within the composition of one structure. The coordination polyhedron of La has nine vertices

  2. Synthesis and characterization of magnetic poly(divinyl benzene)/Fe3O4, C/Fe3O4/Fe, and C/Fe onionlike fullerene micrometer-sized particles with a narrow size distribution.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Snovski, Ron; Grinblat, Judith; Margel, Shlomo

    2011-09-06

    Magnetic poly(divinyl benzene)/Fe(3)O(4) microspheres with a narrow size distribution were produced by entrapping the iron pentacarbonyl precursor within the pores of uniform porous poly(divinyl benzene) microspheres prepared in our laboratory, followed by the decomposition in a sealed cell of the entrapped Fe(CO)(5) particles at 300 °C under an inert atmosphere. Magnetic onionlike fullerene microspheres with a narrow size distribution were produced by annealing the obtained PDVB/Fe(3)O(4) particles at 500, 600, 800, and 1100 °C, respectively, under an inert atmosphere. The formation of carbon graphitic layers at low temperatures such as 500 °C is unique and probably obtained because of the presence of the magnetic iron nanoparticles. The annealing temperature allowed control of the composition, size, size distribution, crystallinity, porosity, and magnetic properties of the produced magnetic microspheres. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  3. Site-directed mutagenesis of Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I: [Fe-S] cluster-driven protein rearrangement

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Martin, A.E.; Burgess, B.K.; Stout, C.D.; Cash, V.L.; Dean, D.R.; Jensen, G.M.; Stephens, P.J.

    1990-01-01

    Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I is a small protein that contains one [4Fe-4S] cluster and one [3Fe-4S] cluster. Recently the x-ray crystal structure has been redetermined and the fdxA gene, which encodes the protein, has been cloned and sequenced. Here the authors report the site-directed mutation of Cys-20, which is a ligand of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in the native protein, to alanine and the characterization of the protein product by x-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. The data show that the mutant protein again contains one [4Fe-4S] cluster and one [3Fe-4S] cluster. The new [4Fe-4S] cluster obtains its fourth ligand from Cys-24, a free cysteine in the native structure. The formation of this [4Fe-4S] cluster drives rearrangement of the protein structure

  4. Magnetic Fe2MO4 (M:Fe, Mn) activated carbons: Fabrication, characterization and heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of methyl orange

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nguyen, Thi Dung; Phan, Ngoc Hoa; Do, Manh Huy; Ngo, Kim Tham

    2011-01-01

    We present a simple and efficient method for the fabrication of magnetic Fe 2 MO 4 (M:Fe and Mn) activated carbons (Fe 2 MO 4 /AC-H, M:Fe and Mn) by impregnating the activated carbon with simultaneous magnetic precursor and carbon modifying agent followed by calcination. The obtained samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the catalytic activity in heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of methyl orange (MO) was evaluated. The resulting Fe 2 MnO 4 /AC-H showed higher catalytic activity in the methyl orange oxidation than Fe 3 O 4 /AC-H. The effect of operational parameters (pH, catalyst loading H 2 O 2 dosage and initial MO concentration) on degradation performance of the oxidation process was investigated. Stability and reusability of selected catalyst were also tested.

  5. Hierarchically porous MnO2 microspheres doped with homogeneously distributed Fe3O4 nanoparticles for supercapacitors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhu, Jian; Tang, Shaochun; Xie, Hao; Dai, Yuming; Meng, Xiangkang

    2014-10-22

    Hierarchically porous yet densely packed MnO2 microspheres doped with Fe3O4 nanoparticles are synthesized via a one-step and low-cost ultrasound assisted method. The scalable synthesis is based on Fe(2+) and ultrasound assisted nucleation and growth at a constant temperature in a range of 25-70 °C. Single-crystalline Fe3O4 particles of 3-5 nm in diameter are homogeneously distributed throughout the spheres and none are on the surface. A systematic optimization of reaction parameters results in isolated, porous, and uniform Fe3O4-MnO2 composite spheres. The spheres' average diameter is dependent on the temperature, and thus is controllable in a range of 0.7-1.28 μm. The involved growth mechanism is discussed. The specific capacitance is optimized at an Fe/Mn atomic ratio of r = 0.075 to be 448 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s, which is nearly 1.5 times that of the extremely high reported value for MnO2 nanostructures (309 F/g). Especially, such a structure allows significantly improved stability at high charging rates. The composite has a capacitance of 367.4 F/g at a high scan rate of 100 mV/s, which is 82% of that at 5 mV/s. Also, it has an excellent cycling performance with a capacitance retention of 76% after 5000 charge/discharge cycles at 5 A/g.

  6. Separated CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe nanoparticles by the SiO{sub x} matrix: revealing the intrinsic origin for the small remanence magnetization

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Geng, B. Q.; Ma, Y. Q., E-mail: yqma@ahu.edu.cn; Xu, Y. F.; Xu, S. T.; Sun, X.; Zheng, G. H.; Dai, Z. X. [Anhui University, Anhui Key Laboratory of Information Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Materials Science (China)

    2015-07-15

    In order to clarify the intrinsic reason for the smaller remanence (M{sub r})-to-saturation (M{sub s}) magnetization ratio M{sub r}/M{sub s} than that expected by the Stoner–Wohlfarth model in CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanoparticles in the previous report, we first prepared well-dispersed CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles, and then they were diluted in the SiO{sub 2} matrix followed by reduction in H{sub 2} as far as possible to exclude or reduce disadvantageous variables (such as the growth and aggregation of particles and the exchange coupling between soft magnetic particles in the process of reducing) affecting magnetic properties. Such an idea has not been taken into account before to our knowledge. The analyses on the magnetic results indicate that the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanoparticles herein reported are a pure dipolar system, in which the coercivity (H{sub c}) and M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio are very sensitive to the anisotropy and the strength of dipolar interaction. These results signify that it is important to maintain the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanoparticles with higher anisotropy and weaker dipolar interaction for improving M{sub r}/M{sub s} and H{sub c}. This suggestion was further confirmed by our another result wherein an M{sub r}/M{sub s} value of 0.64 was obtained even though no exchange coupling was observed in the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/CoFe{sub 2} nanoparticles, and further work is in process. Graphical abstract: Numerous efforts have devoted to improve the values of M{sub s} and M{sub r}/M{sub s} by compositing hard CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (CFO) ferrite with soft CoFe{sub 2} (CF) alloy, which unfortunately give the low M{sub r}/M{sub s} value (<0.5) even in presence of the exchange coupling. Key issues involve the preparation of CFO/CF composite. Previously the preparation of CFO/CF undergoes the synthesis of CFO and the subsequent reducing in the H{sub 2} ambient, as shown in Figure (a), while in this work well dispersed CFO

  7. Structural and electrochemical studies of PPy/PEG-LiFePO4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fedorkova, Andrea; Nacher-Alejos, Ana; Gomez-Romero, Pedro; Orinakova, Renata; Kaniansky, Dusan

    2010-01-01

    A simple chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) directly onto the surface of LiFePO 4 particles was applied to the synthesis of polypyrrole-LiFePO 4 (PPy-LiFePO 4 ) powder. The LiFePO 4 sample without carbon coating was synthesized by a solvothermal method. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as additive during Py polymerization for increasing the PPy-LiFePO 4 conductivity. Properties of resulting LiFePO 4 , PPy-LiFePO 4 and PPy/PEG-LiFePO 4 samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. These methods confirmed the presence of polypyrrole on LiFePO 4 particles and its homogeneous distribution in the resulting powder material. The PPy/PEG-LiFePO 4 composites show higher discharge capacity than pure LiFePO 4 , as PPy/PEG network improves the electron conductivity. It presents specific discharge capacity of 153 mAh/g at C/5 rate.

  8. Antifungal activity of multifunctional Fe3O4-Ag nanocolloids

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chudasama, Bhupendra; Vala, Anjana K.; Andhariya, Nidhi; Upadhyay, R.V.; Mehta, R.V.

    2011-01-01

    In recent years, rapid increase has been observed in the population of microbes that are resistant to conventionally used antibiotics. Antifungal drug therapy is no exception and now resistance to many of the antifungal agents in use has emerged. Therefore, there is an inevitable and urgent medical need for antibiotics with novel antimicrobial mechanisms. Aspergillus glaucus is the potential cause of fatal brain infections and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in immunocompromised patients and leads to death despite aggressive multidrug antifungal therapy. In the present article, we describe the antifungal activity of multifunctional core-shell Fe 3 O 4 -Ag nanocolloids against A. glaucus isolates. Controlled experiments are also carried out with Ag nanocolloids in order to understand the role of core (Fe 3 O 4 ) in the antifungal action. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nanocolloids is determined by the micro-dilution method. MIC of A. glaucus is 2000 μg/mL. The result is quite promising and requires further investigations in order to develop a treatment methodology against this death causing fungus in immunocompromised patients. - Research Highlights: →Synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 -Ag core-shell nanocolloids. →Antifungal activity of Fe 3 O 4 -Ag nanocolloids against Aspergillus glaucus isolates. →The MIC value for A. glaucus is 2000 μg/mL. →Antifungal activity is better or comparable with most prominent antibiotics.

  9. Synthesis of TCPP/ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO nanohollow sphere composite for degradation of methylene blue and 4-nitrophenol under visible light

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Rabbani, Mahboubeh, E-mail: m_rabani@iust.ac.ir; Heidari-Golafzani, Mahdi; Rahimi, Rahmatollah

    2016-08-15

    In this study, ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanohallow spheres were synthesized by hydrothermal method, then ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO core-shell was prepared by forming of ZnO nanoshell onto magnetic microspheres via sol–gel route. Finally, TCPP/ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO composite was synthesized through the immobilization of the meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin on ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO core-shell. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), vibration sample magnetometery (VSM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) model, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The photocatalytic activity of prepared photocatalysts was evaluated for degradation of methylene blue, as an organic dye and 4-nitrophenol as an organic pollutant under visible LED light irradiation. The results illustrated that TCPP/ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO composite show better photodegradating behavior vs. methylene blue and 4-nitrophenol compared to ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO, pure ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and pure ZnO. - Highlights: • ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanohallow spheres were synthesized by hydrothermal method. • ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO core-shell was prepared by forming of ZnO nanoshell. • ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO spheres was modified by immobilization of TCPP on their surface. • Photocatalytic activity of catalysts was tested for degradation of MB and 4-NP. • TCPP/ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}@ZnO composite show better photodegradating behavior.

  10. Li4FeH6: Iron-containing complex hydride with high gravimetric hydrogen density

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Hiroyuki Saitoh

    2014-07-01

    Full Text Available Li4FeH6, which has the highest gravimetric hydrogen density of iron-containing complex hydrides reported so far, is synthesized by hydrogenation of a powder mixture of iron and LiH above 6.1 GPa at 900 °C. In situ synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that while kinetics require high temperature and thus high pressure for the synthesis, Li4FeH6 is expected to be thermodynamically stable slightly below room temperature at ambient pressure; further synthetic studies to suppress the kinetic effects may enable us to synthesize Li4FeH6 at moderate pressures. Li4FeH6 can be recovered at ambient conditions where Li4FeH6 is metastable.

  11. Gum arabic modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles cross linked with collagen for isolation of bacteria

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chittor Raghuraman

    2010-12-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles are important class of materials in the field of nanobiotechnology, as it is an emerging area of research for material science and molecular biology researchers. One of the various methods to obtain multifunctional nanomaterials, molecular functionalization by attaching organic functional groups to nanomagnetic materials is an important technique. Recently, functionalized magnetic nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be useful in isolation/detection of dangerous pathogens (bacteria/viruses for human life. Iron (Fe based material especially FePt is used in the isolation of ultralow concentrations (2 cfu/ml of bacteria in less time and it has been demonstrated that van-FePt may be used as an alternative fast detection technique with respect to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR method. However, still further improved demonstrations are necessary with interest to biocompatibility and green chemistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by template medication and its application for the detection/isolation of S. aureus bacteria. Results The reduction of anhydrous Iron chloride (FeCl3 in presence of sodium borohydride and water soluble polyelectrolyte (polydiallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, PDADMAC produces black precipitates. The X-ray diffraction (XRD, XPS and TEM analysis of the precipitates dried at 373 K demonstrated the formation of nanocrystalline Fe3O4. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM showed isolated staphylococcous aureus (S. aureus bacteria at ultralow concentrations using collagen coated gum arabic modified iron oxide nanoparticles (CCGAMION. Conclusion We are able to synthesize nanocrystalline Fe3O4 and CCGAMION was able to isolate S. aureus bacteria at 8-10 cfu (colony forming units/ml within ~3 minutes.

  12. Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of Fe2+ (3d6; S = 2) ions in Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O - Modeling zero-field splitting and Zeeman electronic parameters by microscopic spin Hamiltonian approach

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zając, Magdalena; Rudowicz, Czesław; Ohta, Hitoshi; Sakurai, Takahiro

    2018-03-01

    Utilizing the package MSH/VBA, based on the microscopic spin Hamiltonian (MSH) approach, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of Fe2+ (3d6; S = 2) ions at (nearly) orthorhombic sites in Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O (FASH) are modeled. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters and the Zeeman electronic (Ze) factors are predicted for wide ranges of values of the microscopic parameters, i.e. the spin-orbit (λ), spin-spin (ρ) coupling constants, and the crystal-field (ligand-field) energy levels (Δi) within the 5D multiplet. This enables to consider the dependence of the ZFS parameters bkq (in the Stevens notation), or the conventional ones (e.g., D and E), and the Zeeman factors gi on λ, ρ, and Δi. By matching the theoretical SH parameters and the experimental ones measured by electron magnetic resonance (EMR), the values of λ, ρ, and Δi best describing Fe2+ ions in FASH are determined. The novel aspect is prediction of the fourth-rank ZFS parameters and the ρ(spin-spin)-related contributions, not considered in previous studies. The higher-order contributions to the second- and fourth-rank ZFSPs are found significant. The MSH predictions provide guidance for high-magnetic field and high-frequency EMR (HMF-EMR) measurements and enable assessment of suitability of FASH for application as high-pressure probes for HMF-EMR studies. The method employed here and the present results may be also useful for other structurally related Fe2+ (S = 2) systems.

  13. Structural and electrochemical properties of Cl-doped LiFePO{sub 4}/C

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sun, C.S.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, X.J.; Zhou, Z. [Institute of New Energy Material Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071 (China)

    2010-06-01

    Cl-doped LiFePO{sub 4}/C cathode materials were synthesized through a carbothermal reduction route, and the microstructure and electrochemical performances were systematically studied. Cl-doped LiFePO{sub 4}/C cathode materials presented a high discharge capacity of {proportional_to}90 mAh g{sup -1} at the rate of 20 C (3400 mA g{sup -1}) at room temperature. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltamperometry indicated the optimized electrochemical reaction and Li{sup +} diffusion in the bulk of LiFePO{sub 4} due to Cl-doping. The improved Li{sup +} diffusion capability is attributed to the microstructure modification of LiFePO{sub 4} via Cl-doping. (author)

  14. Single-crystalline LiFePO4 nanosheets for high-rate Li-ion batteries.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Yu; Peng, Lele; Liu, Borui; Yu, Guihua

    2014-05-14

    The lithiation/delithiation in LiFePO4 is highly anisotropic with lithium-ion diffusion being mainly confined to channels along the b-axis. Controlling the orientation of LiFePO4 crystals therefore plays an important role for efficient mass transport within this material. We report here the preparation of single crystalline LiFePO4 nanosheets with a large percentage of highly oriented {010} facets, which provide the highest pore density for lithium-ion insertion/extraction. The LiFePO4 nanosheets show a high specific capacity at low charge/discharge rates and retain significant capacities at high C-rates, which may benefit the development of lithium batteries with both favorable energy and power density.

  15. Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Palm-Based Polyurethane Composites Filled with Fe3O4, PANI and PANI/ Fe3O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hao, L.C.; Sahrim Ahmad; Khairiah Badri

    2011-01-01

    In-situ polymerization method was used to prepare palm-based polyurethane (PU) composites loading with 15 wt % magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), poly aniline (PANI) and Fe 3 O 4 coated with PANI labeled as PU15, PP and PPM, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy analysis indicated a shift in the carbonyl, C=O and NH in PP. The shift of the peak indicated that there was hydrogen bonding between the C=O (proton acceptor) of urethane with NH (proton-donator) of PANI. PPM gave the highest impact and flexural strengths at 4875 kJ/ m 2 and 42 MPa, respectively but with the lowest flexural modulus (1050 MPa). Two-stage degradation behavior was observed in the TGA thermo gram. (author)

  16. Bimetallic-organic framework derived porous Co3O4/Fe3O4/C-loaded g-C3N4 nanocomposites as non-enzymic electrocatalysis oxidization toward ascorbic acid, dopamine acid, and uric acid

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Bin; Liu, Yongkang; Wang, Zhuo-Wei; Song, Yingpan; Wang, Minghua; Zhang, Zhihong; Liu, Chun-Sen

    2018-05-01

    We report on the synthesis of Co- and Fe-based bimetallic nanocatalysts embedded in mesoporous carbon and g-C3N4 nanosheets (denoted as Co3O4/Fe3O4/mC@g-C3N4) for selectively simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine acid (DA), and uric acid (UA). These electrocatalysts consisting of bimetallic Co-Fe alloy nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped carbon matrix were prepared via pyrolysis of Co/Fe-MOFs after grinding with high amounts of melamine. Chemical/crystal structures suggest high contents of mesoporous carbon in calcinated Co3O4/Fe3O4/mC nanocomposites, which exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward small biomolecules. The intrinsic performances of Co/Fe-MOFs with large specific surface area and regular nodes in the two-dimensional nanostructured g-C3N4 nanosheets endowed the as-prepared series of Co3O4/Fe3O4/mC@g-C3N4 nanocomposites with remarkable electrocatalytic activities and high adsorption ability toward oxidation of AA, DA, and UA. The developed biosensors also showed long-term stability and high selectivity for targeted analytes, with satisfactory results on actual samples in human urine. The results indicate that the as-synthesized Co3O4/Fe3O4/mC@g-C3N4 nanostructure exhibits good electrocatalytic activity and potential applications in clinical diagnosis and biosensing.

  17. Magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline CoFe2O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Kai; Holloway, T.; Pradhan, A.K.

    2011-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles of CoFe 2 O 4 have been synthesized under an applied magnetic field through a co-precipitation method followed by thermal treatments at different temperatures, producing nanoparticles of varying size. The magnetic behavior of these nanoparticles was investigated. As-grown nanoparticles demonstrate superparamagnetism above the blocking temperature, which is dependent on the particle size. One of the nanoparticles demonstrated a constricted magnetic hysteresis loop with no or small coercivity and remanence at low magnetic field. However, the loop opens up at high magnetic field. This magnetic behavior is attributed to the preferred Co ions and vacancies arrangements when the CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized under an applied magnetic field. Furthermore, this magnetic property is strongly dependent on the high temperature heat treatments that produce Co ions and vacancies disorder. - Research highlights: → CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation route in a magnetic field. → Smaller nanoparticles present superparamagnetic property above their block temperature. → These nanoparticles show interesting magnetic behavior in the blocking state. → Magnetic behavior is strongly dependent on the annealing temperature.

  18. The reduction of 4-chloronitrobenzene by Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxide systems - correlations with reduction potential and inhibition by silicate

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jones, Adele M., E-mail: adele.jones1@unsw.edu.au; Kinsela, Andrew S.; Collins, Richard N.; Waite, T. David, E-mail: d.waite@unsw.edu.au

    2016-12-15

    Recent studies have demonstrated that the rate at which Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxyhydroxide systems catalyze the reduction of reducible contaminants, such as 4-chloronitrobenzene, is well correlated to their thermodynamic reduction potential. Here we confirm this effect in the presence of Fe(III) oxyhydroxide phases not previously assessed, namely ferrihydrite and nano-goethite, as well as Fe(III) oxyhydroxide phases previously examined. In addition, silicate is found to decrease the extent of Fe(II) sorption to the Fe(III) oxyhydroxide surface, increasing the reduction potential of the Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxyhydroxide suspension and, accordingly, decreasing the rate of 4-chloronitrobenzene reduction. A linear relationship between the reduction potential of the Fe(II)-Fe(III) oxyhydroxide suspensions and the reduction rate of 4-chloronitrobenzene (normalized to surface area and concentration of sorbed Fe(II)) was obtained in the presence and absence of silicate. However, when ferrihydrite was doped with Si (through co-precipitation) the reduction of 4-chloronitrobenzene was much slower than predicted from its reduction potential. The results obtained have significant implications to the likely effectiveness of naturally occurring contaminant degradation processes involving Fe(II) and Fe(III) oxyhydroxides in groundwater environments containing high concentrations of silicate, or other species which compete with Fe(II) for sorption sites.

  19. Enzymes immobilization on Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-gold nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kalska-Szostko, B., E-mail: kalska@uwb.edu.pl [Institute of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Hurtowa 1, 15-399 Bialystok (Poland); Rogowska, M.; Dubis, A. [Institute of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Hurtowa 1, 15-399 Bialystok (Poland); Szymanski, K. [Department of Physics, University of Bialystok, Lipowa 41, 15-424 Bialystok (Poland)

    2012-01-15

    In the present study Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation of Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} from chlorides. In the next step magnetite-gold core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized from HAuCl{sub 4} using an ethanol as a reducing agent. Finally, magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized by hexadecanethiol. The immobilization of biological molecules (trypsin and glucose oxidase) to the thiol-modified and unmodified magnetite-gold nanoparticles surface was tested. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Moessbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

  20. A-Site Deficient (Pr0.6Sr0.4)(1-s)Fe0.8Co0.2O3-delta Perovskites as Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathodes

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kammer Hansen, Kent

    2009-01-01

    Five A-site deficient (Pr0.6Sr0.4)1−sFe0.8Co0.2O3− perovskites (s=0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were synthesized using the glycine-nitrate process. The perovskites were characterized with powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), dilatometry, four-point dc conductivity measurements, and electrochemical...... resistance more than 3 times lower than the weakly A-site deficient (Pr0.6Sr0.4)0.99Fe0.8Co0.2O3− perovskite. ©2009 The Electrochemical Society...

  1. Spin Hall magnetoresistance in Ta/CoFe2O4 nanostructures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hui, Ya-Juan; Cheng, Wei-Ming; Zhang, Zhao-Bing; Ji, Hong-Kai; Cheng, Xiao-Min; You, Long; Miao, Xiang-Shui

    2016-07-01

    Spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) has been investigated in Ta/CoFe2O4 nanostructures grown on different substrates. Spin currents in CoFe2O4 films are electrically detected in adjacent Ta layers owing to inverse spin Hall effects. The sign of the magnetic-field-dependent resistivity signal shows different polarities along different axes, showing different spin-dependent electron transports. A cosinelike curve of the angular dependence signal with opposite polarity is observed in two orthogonal magnetization planes, whereas a basic line is observed in another plane, revealing the spin accumulation phenomenon. The roughness of the CoFe2O4 surface tuned by substrate strains is responsible for the extent of spin accumulations and the strength of the SMR signal in the nanostructures.

  2. A novel heterogeneous system for sulfate radical generation through sulfite activation on a CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocatalyst surface

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Zizheng [School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 (China); Yang, Shaojie; Yuan, Yanan; Xu, Jing; Zhu, Yifan [Department of Environmental Science, Hubei Key Lab of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, School of Resources and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079 (China); Li, Jinjun, E-mail: ljj0410@163.com [Department of Environmental Science, Hubei Key Lab of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, School of Resources and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079 (China); Wu, Feng, E-mail: fengwu@whu.edu.cn [Department of Environmental Science, Hubei Key Lab of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, School of Resources and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079 (China)

    2017-02-15

    Highlights: • CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}−S(IV)−O{sub 2} system is proposed as a new system of sulfate radical based AOPs. • Alkaline pH favors the activation of sulfite on CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} surface to produce oxysulfur radicals. • Generation of Co−OH complexes on the surface of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} is the main factor for sulfite activation. • Degradation of organic contaminants by CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}−S(IV)−O{sub 2} system were achieved. • Main intermediates and pathways for the degradation of metoprolol were identified. - Abstract: Heterogeneous catalytic activation is important for potential application of new sulfate-radical-based advanced oxidation process using sulfite as source of sulfate radical. We report herein a heterogeneous system for sulfite activation by CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocatalyst for metoprolol removal. Factors that influence metoprolol removal were investigated, including pH and initial concentrations of components. The CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the catalytic stability was tested by consecutive runs. Radicals generated in the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}−S(IV)−O{sub 2} system were identified through radical quenching experiments and by electron spin resonance (ESR). The catalytic mechanism was elucidated further by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic process was dependent on initial pH, and more than 80% of the metoprolol can be removed at pH 10.0 following the Langmubir-Hinshelwood equation. The generation of Co-OH complexes on the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} surface was crucial for sulfite activation. SO{sub 4}{sup ·−} was verified to be the main oxidative species responsible for metoprolol degradation. Other organic pollutants, such as sulfanilamide, sulfasalazine, 2-nitroaniline, sulfapyridine, aniline, azo dye X-3B and 4-chloroaniline, could also be removed in this CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}−S(IV)−O{sub 2} system. The

  3. Poly(o-phenylenediamine)/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization, magnetic and dielectric properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kannapiran, Nagarajan; Muthusamy, Athianna; Chitra, Palanisamy; Anand, Siddeswaran; Jayaprakash, Rajan

    2017-02-01

    In this study, poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD)/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by in-situ oxidative chemical polymerization method with different amount of NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles. The NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by auto-combustion method. The structural, morphological, thermal properties of the synthesized PoPD/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Magnetic properties of NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles and PoPD/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites were studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The FTIR and XRD techniques were used to confirm the formation of PoPD/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites. The average crystalline size of NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles and PoPD/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites were calculated from XRD. From the SEM analysis, spherical morphology of the PoPD was confirmed. The TGA results showed that the NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles have improved the thermal stability of PoPD. Dielectric properties of PoPD/NiCoFe2O4 nanocomposites at different temperatures have been carried in the frequency range 50 Hz to 5 MHz.

  4. Oxidative degradation of the antibiotic oxytetracycline by Cu@Fe3O4 core-shell nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pham, Van Luan; Kim, Do-Gun; Ko, Seok-Oh

    2018-08-01

    A core-shell nanostructure composed of zero-valent Cu (core) and Fe 3 O 4 (shell) (Cu@Fe 3 O 4 ) was prepared by a simple reduction method and was evaluated for the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC), an antibiotic. The Cu core and the Fe 3 O 4 shell were verified by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. The optimal molar ratio of [Cu]/[Fe] (1/1) in Cu@Fe 3 O 4 created an outstanding synergic effect, leading to >99% OTC degradation as well as H 2 O 2 decomposition within 10min at the reaction conditions of 1g/L Cu@Fe 3 O 4 , 20mg/L OTC, 20mM H 2 O 2 , and pH3.0 (and even at pH9.0). The OTC degradation rate by Cu@Fe 3 O 4 was higher than obtained using single nanoparticle of Cu or Fe 3 O 4 . The results of the study using radical scavengers showed that OH is the major reactive oxygen species contributing to the OTC degradation. Finally, good stability, reusability, and magnetic separation were obtained with approximately 97% OTC degradation and no notable change in XRD patterns after the Cu@Fe 3 O 4 catalyst was reused five times. These results demonstrate that Cu@Fe 3 O 4 is a novel prospective candidate for the pharmaceutical and personal care products degradation in the aqueous phase. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Enhanced performance of LiFePO4 through hydrothermal synthesis coupled with carbon coating and cupric ion doping

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pei Bo; Wang Qiang; Zhang Weixin; Yang Zeheng; Chen Min

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Hydrothermal reaction has been adopted to synthesize LiFePO 4 with a narrow size distribution. → LiFePO 4 was modified with carbon coating and cupric cation (Cu 2+ ) doping simultaneously. → Electrochemical properties of LiFePO 4 were improved by carbon coating and cupric cation doping. - Abstract: A hydrothermal reaction has been adopted to synthesize pure LiFePO 4 first, which was then modified with carbon coating and cupric ion (Cu 2+ ) doping simultaneously through a post-heat treatment. X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images along with energy dispersive spectroscopy mappings have verified the homogeneous existence of coated carbon and doped Cu 2+ in LiFePO 4 particles with phospho-olivine structure and an average size of 400 nm. The electrochemical performances of the material have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. The carbon-coated and Cu 2+ -doped LiFePO 4 sample (LFCu5/C) exhibited an enhanced electronic conductivity of 2.05 x 10 -3 S cm -1 , a specific discharge capacity of 158 mAh g -1 at 50 mA g -1 , a capacity retention of 96.4% after 50 cycles, a decreased charge transfer resistance of 79.4 Ω and superior electrode reaction reversibility. The present synthesis route is promising in making the hydrothermal method more practical for preparation of the LiFePO 4 material and enhancement of electrochemical properties.

  6. Synthesis and properties MFe2O4 (M = Fe, Co) nanoparticles and core-shell structures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yelenich, O. V.; Solopan, S. O.; Greneche, J. M.; Belous, A. G.

    2015-08-01

    Individual Fe3-xO4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, as well as Fe3-xO4/CoFe2O4 core/shell structures were synthesized by the method of co-precipitation from diethylene glycol solutions. Core/shell structure were synthesized with CoFe2O4-shell thickness of 1.0, 2.5 and 3.5 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns of individual nanoparticles and core/shell are similar and indicate that all synthesized samples have a cubic spinel structure. Compares Mössbauer studies of CoFe2O4, Fe3-xO4 nanoparticles indicate superparamagnetic properties at 300 K. It was shown that individual magnetite nanoparticles are transformed into maghemite through oxidation during the synthesis procedure, wherein the smallest nanoparticles are completely oxidized while a magnetite core does occur in the case of the largest nanoparticles. The Mössbauer spectra of core/shell nanoparticles with increasing CoFe2O4-shell thickness show a gradual decrease in the relative intensity of the quadrupole doublet and significant decrease of the mean isomer shift value at both RT and 77 K indicating a decrease of the superparamagnetic relaxation phenomena. Specific loss power for the prepared ferrofluids was experimentally calculated and it was determined that under influence of ac-magnetic field magnetic fluid based on individual CoFe2O4 and Fe3-xO4 particles are characterized by very low heating temperature, when magnetic fluids based on core/shell nanoparticles demonstrate higher heating effect.

  7. LiFePO4/polymer/natural graphite: low cost Li-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zaghib, K.; Striebel, K.; Guerfi, A.; Shim, J.; Armand, M.; Gauthier, M

    2004-01-01

    The aging and performance of natural graphite/PEO-based gel electrolyte/LiFePO 4 cells are reported. The gel polymer electrolytes were produced by electron-beam irradiation and then soaked in a liquid electrolyte. The natural graphite anode in gel electrolyte containing LiBF4-EC/GBL exhibited high reversible capacity (345 mAh/g) and high coulombic efficiency (91%). The LiFePO 4 cathode in the same gel-polymer exhibited a reversible capacity of 160 mAh/g and 93% coulombic efficiency. Better performance was obtained at high-rate discharge with 6% carbon additive in the cathode, however the graphite anode performance suffers at high rate. The Li-ion gel polymer battery shows a capacity fade of 13% after 180 cycles and has poor performance at low temperature due to low diffusion of the lithium to the graphite in the GBL system. The LiFePO 4 /gel/Li system has an excellent rate capacity. LiFePO 4 cathode material is suitable for HEV application

  8. Solution-phase synthesis of single-crystalline Fe3O4 magnetic nanobelts

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Lili; Chu Ying; Liu Yang; Wang Dan

    2009-01-01

    Single-crystalline Fe 3 O 4 nanobelt was first synthesized on a large scale by a facile and efficient hydrothermal process. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The SAED pattern obtained from a typical individual nanobelt has a highly symmetrical dotted lattice, which reveals the single-crystalline nature of belt-like Fe 3 O 4 . The saturation magnetization of the Fe 3 O 4 nanobelt is higher than the wire, hollow sphere and octahedral structure. Such methods are easy and mild, and could synthesize other metal oxide in such experiment situation

  9. High performance screen printable lithium-ion battery cathode ink based on C-LiFePO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sousa, R.E.; Oliveira, J.; Gören, A.; Miranda, D.; Silva, M.M.; Hilliou, Loic; Costa, C.M.; Lanceros-Mendez, S.

    2016-01-01

    Highlights: • C-LiFePO 4 paste was been prepared for screen-printing technique. • The inks produced have a Newtonian viscosity of 3 Pa.s for this printing technique. • C-LiFePO 4 inks present a 48.2 mAh.g −1 after 50 cycles at 5C. • This ink is suitable in the development of printed lithium ion batteries. - Abstract: Lithium-ion battery cathodes have been fabricated by screen-printing through the development of C-LiFePO 4 inks. It is shown that shear thinning polymer solutions in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) with Newtonian viscosity above 0.4 Pa s are the best binders for formulating a cathode paste with satisfactory film forming properties. The paste shows an elasticity of the order of 500 Pa and, after shear yielding, shows an apparent viscosity of the order of 3 Pa s for shear rates corresponding to those used during screen-printing. The screen-printed cathode produced with a thickness of 26 μm shows a homogeneous distribution of the active material, conductive additive and polymer binder. The total resistance and diffusion coefficient of the cathode are ∼ 450 Ω and 2.5 × 10 −16 cm 2 s −1 , respectively. The developed cathodes show an initial discharge capacity of 48.2 mAh g −1 at 5C and a discharge value of 39.8 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles. The capacity retention of 83% represents 23% of the theoretical value (charge and/or discharge process in twenty minutes), demonstrating the good performance of the battery. Thus, the developed C-LiFePO 4 based inks allow to fabricate screen-printed cathodes suitable for printed lithium-ion batteries.

  10. Continuous flame aerosol synthesis of carbon-coated nano-LiFePO4 for Li-ion batteries

    Science.gov (United States)

    Waser, Oliver; Büchel, Robert; Hintennach, Andreas; Novák, Petr; Pratsinis, Sotiris E.

    2013-01-01

    Core-shell, nanosized LiFePO4-carbon particles were made in one step by scalable flame aerosol technology at 7 g/h. Core LiFePO4 particles were made in an enclosed flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) unit and were coated in-situ downstream by auto thermal carbonization (pyrolysis) of swirl-fed C2H2 in an O2-controlled atmosphere. The formation of acetylene carbon black (ACB) shell was investigated as a function of the process fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio (EQR). The core-shell morphology was obtained at slightly fuel-rich conditions (1.0 < EQR < 1.07) whereas segregated ACB and LiFePO4 particles were formed at fuel-lean conditions (0.8 < EQR < 1). Post-annealing of core-shell particles in reducing environment (5 vol% H2 in argon) at 700 °C for up to 4 hours established phase pure, monocrystalline LiFePO4 with a crystal size of 65 nm and 30 wt% ACB content. Uncoated LiFePO4 or segregated LiFePO4-ACB grew to 250 nm at these conditions. Annealing at 800 °C induced carbothermal reduction of LiFePO4 to Fe2P by ACB shell consumption that resulted in cavities between carbon shell and core LiFePO4 and even slight LiFePO4 crystal growth but better electrochemical performance. The present carbon-coated LiFePO4 showed superior cycle stability and higher rate capability than the benchmark, commercially available LiFePO4. PMID:23407817

  11. Evolution of LiFePO4 thin films interphase with electrolyte

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dupré, N.; Cuisinier, M.; Zheng, Y.; Fernandez, V.; Hamon, J.; Hirayama, M.; Kanno, R.; Guyomard, D.

    2018-04-01

    Many parameters may control the growth and the characteristics of the interphase, such as surface structure and morphology, structural defects, grain boundaries, surface reactions, etc. However, polycrystalline surfaces contain these parameters simultaneously, resulting in a quite complicated system to study. Working with model electrode surfaces using crystallographically oriented crystalline thin films appears as a novel and unique approach to understand contributions of preferential orientation and rugosity of the surface. In order to rebuild the interphase architecture along electrochemical cycling, LiFePO4 epitaxial films offering ideal 2D (100) interfaces are here investigated through the use of non-destructive depth profiling by Angular Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARXPS). The composition and structure of the interphase is then monitored upon cycling for samples stopped at the end of charge and discharge for various numbers of cycles, and discussed in the light of combined XPS and X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements. Such an approach allows describing the interphase evolution on a specific model LiFePO4 crystallographic orientation and helps understanding the nature and evolution of the LiFePO4/electrolyte interphase forming on the surface of LiFePO4 poly-crystalline powder.

  12. A Novel DNA Nanosensor Based on CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots and Synthesized Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Roozbeh Hushiarian

    2014-04-01

    Full Text Available Although nanoparticle-enhanced biosensors have been extensively researched, few studies have systematically characterized the roles of nanoparticles in enhancing biosensor functionality. This paper describes a successful new method in which DNA binds directly to iron oxide nanoparticles for use in an optical biosensor. A wide variety of nanoparticles with different properties have found broad application in biosensors because their small physical size presents unique chemical, physical, and electronic properties that are different from those of bulk materials. Of all nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles are proving to be a versatile tool, an excellent case in point being in DNA bioassays, where magnetic nanoparticles are often used for optimization of the hybridization and separation of target DNA. A critical step in the successful construction of a DNA biosensor is the efficient attachment of biomolecules to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. To date, most methods of synthesizing these nanoparticles have led to the formation of hydrophobic particles that require additional surface modifications. As a result, the surface to volume ratio decreases and nonspecific bindings may occur so that the sensitivity and efficiency of the device deteriorates. A new method of large-scale synthesis of iron oxide (Fe3O4 nanoparticles which results in the magnetite particles being in aqueous phase, was employed in this study. Small modifications were applied to design an optical DNA nanosensor based on sandwich hybridization. Characterization of the synthesized particles was carried out using a variety of techniques and CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots were used as the reporter markers in a spectrofluorophotometer. We showed conclusively that DNA binds to the surface of ironoxide nanoparticles without further surface modifications and that these magnetic nanoparticles can be efficiently utilized as biomolecule carriers in biosensing devices.

  13. Facile synthesis of Fe3O4@PDA core-shell microspheres functionalized with various metal ions: A systematic comparison of commonly-used metal ions for IMAC enrichment.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jiang, Jiebing; Sun, Xueni; Li, Yan; Deng, Chunhui; Duan, Gengli

    2018-02-01

    Metal ions differed greatly in affinity towards phosphopeptides, and thus it is essential to systematically compare the phosphopeptides enrichment ability of different metal ions usually used in the IMAC techniques. In this work, for the first time, eight metal ions, including Nb 5+ , Ti 4+ , Zr 4+ , Ga 3+ , Y 3+ , In 3+ , Ce 4+ , Fe 3+ , were immobilized on the polydopamine (PDA)-coated Fe 3 O 4 (denoted as Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-M n+ ), and systematically compared by the real biosamples, in addition to standard phosphopeptides. Fe 3 O 4 microspheres were synthesized via the solvothermal reaction, followed by self-polymerization of dopamine on the surface. Then through taking advantage of the hydroxyl and amino group of PDA, the eight metal ions were easily adhered to the surface of Fe 3 O 4 @PDA. After characterization, the resultant Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-M n+ microspheres were applied to phosphopeptides enrichment based on the binding affinity between metal ions and phosphopeptides. According to the results, different metal ions presented diverse phosphopeptides enrichment efficiency in terms of selectivity, sensitivity and the enrichment ability from real complex samples, and Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-Nb 5+ and Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-Ti 4+ showed obvious advantages of the phosphopeptides enrichment effect after the comparison. This systematic comparison may provide certain reference for the use and development of IMAC materials in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. 1D Magnetic Materials of Fe3O4 and Fe with High Performance of Microwave Absorption Fabricated by Electrospinning Method

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, Rui; Li, Wei; Pan, Weiwei; Zhu, Minggang; Zhou, Dong; Li, Fa-shen

    2014-01-01

    Fe3O4 and Fe nanowires are successfully fabricated by electrospinning method and reduction process. Wiry microstructures were achieved with the phase transformation from α-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 and Fe by partial and full reduction, while still preserving the wire morphology. The diameters of the Fe3O4 and Fe nanowires are approximately 50–60 nm and 30–40 nm, respectively. The investigation of microwave absorption reveals that the Fe3O4 nanowires exhibit excellent microwave absorbing properties. For paraffin-based composite containing 50% weight concentration of Fe3O4 nanowires, the minimum reflection loss reaches −17.2 dB at 6.2 GHz with the matching thickness of 5.5 mm. Furthermore, the calculation shows that the modulus of the ratio between the complex permittivity and permeability |ε/μ| is far away from unity at the minimum reflection loss point, which is quite different from the traditional opinions. PMID:25510415

  15. Optimization of the crystal growth of the superconductor CaKFe4As4 from solution in the FeAs -CaFe2As2-KFe2As2 system

    Science.gov (United States)

    Meier, W. R.; Kong, T.; Bud'ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.

    2017-06-01

    Measurements of the anisotropic properties of single crystals play a crucial role in probing the physics of new materials. Determining a growth protocol that yields suitable high-quality single crystals can be particularly challenging for multicomponent compounds. Here we present a case study of how we refined a procedure to grow single crystals of CaKFe4As4 from a high temperature, quaternary liquid solution rich in iron and arsenic ("FeAs self-flux"). Temperature dependent resistance and magnetization measurements are emphasized, in addition to the x-ray diffraction, to detect intergrown CaKFe4As4 , CaFe2As2 , and KFe2As2 within what appear to be single crystals. Guided by the rules of phase equilibria and these data, we adjusted growth parameters to suppress formation of the impurity phases. The resulting optimized procedure yielded phase-pure single crystals of CaKFe4As4 . This optimization process offers insight into the growth of quaternary compounds and a glimpse of the four-component phase diagram in the pseudoternary FeAs -CaFe2As2-KFe2As2 system.

  16. Regulation of microtubule-based transport by MAP4

    Science.gov (United States)

    Semenova, Irina; Ikeda, Kazuho; Resaul, Karim; Kraikivski, Pavel; Aguiar, Mike; Gygi, Steven; Zaliapin, Ilya; Cowan, Ann; Rodionov, Vladimir

    2014-01-01

    Microtubule (MT)-based transport of organelles driven by the opposing MT motors kinesins and dynein is tightly regulated in cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we tested the regulation of MT transport by the ubiquitous protein MAP4 using Xenopus melanophores as an experimental system. In these cells, pigment granules (melanosomes) move along MTs to the cell center (aggregation) or to the periphery (dispersion) by means of cytoplasmic dynein and kinesin-2, respectively. We found that aggregation signals induced phosphorylation of threonine residues in the MT-binding domain of the Xenopus MAP4 (XMAP4), thus decreasing binding of this protein to MTs. Overexpression of XMAP4 inhibited pigment aggregation by shortening dynein-dependent MT runs of melanosomes, whereas removal of XMAP4 from MTs reduced the length of kinesin-2–dependent runs and suppressed pigment dispersion. We hypothesize that binding of XMAP4 to MTs negatively regulates dynein-dependent movement of melanosomes and positively regulates kinesin-2–based movement. Phosphorylation during pigment aggregation reduces binding of XMAP4 to MTs, thus increasing dynein-dependent and decreasing kinesin-2–dependent motility of melanosomes, which stimulates their accumulation in the cell center, whereas dephosphorylation of XMAP4 during dispersion has an opposite effect. PMID:25143402

  17. Bimetallic NiFe2O4 synthesized via confined carburization in NiFe-MOFs for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fang, Zhiqiang; Hao, Zhaomin; Dong, Qingsong; Cui, Yong

    2018-04-01

    Transition metal oxides that derived from metal-organic framework (MOF) precursor have intensively received attention because of their numerous electrochemical applications. Bimetallic Ni-Fe oxides have been rarely reported on the basis of MOF-related strategy. Herein, a bimetallic NiFe2O4 was successfully synthesized via confined carburization in NiFe-MOF precursors and characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM. After conducting an investigation of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the as-synthesized NiFe2O4 material exhibited good catalytic efficiency and high stability and durability in alkaline media. The as-synthesized NiFe2O4 material would promote the development of MOFs in non-noble-metal OER catalyst.

  18. Binding of ReO4(-) with an engineered MoO4(2-)-binding protein: towards a new approach in radiopharmaceutical applications.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Aryal, Baikuntha P; Brugarolas, Pedro; He, Chuan

    2012-01-01

    Radiolabeled biomolecules are routinely used for clinical diagnostics. (99m)Tc is the most commonly used radioactive tracer in radiopharmaceuticals. (188)Re and (186)Re are also commonly used as radioactive tracers in medicine. However, currently available methods for radiolabeling are lengthy and involve several steps in bioconjugation processes. In this work we present a strategy to engineer proteins that may selectively recognize the perrhenate (ReO(4)(-)) ion as a new way to label proteins. We found that a molybdate (MoO(4)(2-))-binding protein (ModA) from Escherichia coli can bind perrhenate with high affinity. Using fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry measurements, we determined the dissociation constant of ModA for ReO(4)(-) to be 541 nM and we solved a crystal structure of ModA with a bound ReO(4)(-). On the basis of the structure we created a mutant protein containing a disulfide linkage, which exhibited increased affinity for perrhenate (K(d) = 104 nM). High-resolution crystal structures of ModA (1.7 Å) and A11C/R153C mutant (2.0 Å) were solved with bound perrhenate. Both structures show that a perrhenate ion occupies the molybdate binding site using the same amino acid residues that are involved in molybdate binding. The overall structure of the perrhenate-bound ModA is unchanged compared with that of the molybdate-bound form. In the mutant protein, the bound perrhenate is further stabilized by the engineered disulfide bond. © SBIC 2011

  19. Biodiesel production from soybean and Jatropha oils by magnetic CaFe2O4–Ca2Fe2O5-based catalyst

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xue, Bao-jin; Luo, Jia; Zhang, Fan; Fang, Zhen

    2014-01-01

    Heterogeneous CaFe 2 O 4 –Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 -based catalyst with weak magnetism was prepared by co-precipitation and calcination. It was characterized by various techniques including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption method. Its active components were identified as mainly Ca–Fe composite oxides such as CaFe 2 O 4 for transesterification. The magnetism was further strengthened by reducing its component of Fe 2 O 3 to Fe 3 O 4Fe under H 2 atmosphere for better magnetic separation. Both catalysts were used for the catalytic transesterification of soybean and Jatropha oils to biodiesel. The highest biodiesel yields for soybean oil of 85.4% and 83.5% were obtained over the weak and strong magnetic catalysts, respectively under the optimized conditions (373 K, 30 min, 15/1 methanol/oil molar ratio and 4 wt% catalyst). The catalysts could be recycled three times. Biodiesel production from pretreated Jatropha oil was tested with the magnetic CaFe 2 O 4 –Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 –Fe 3 O 4Fe catalyst, and 78.2% biodiesel yield was obtained. The magnetic CaFe 2 O 4 –Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 -based catalyst shows a potential application for the green production of biodiesel. - Highlights: • Magnetic catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation, calcination and reduction. • The catalyst was composed of CaFe 2 O 4 –Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 –Fe 3 O 4Fe. • Biodiesel yields of 83.5% and 78.2% were achieved for soybean and Jatropha oils. • The catalyst was easily separated by a magnet and used for three cycles

  20. Chemical and electrochemical lithium insertion into ternary transition metal sulfides MMo[sub 2]S[sub 4] (M: V, Cr, Fe)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Maffi, S.; Peraldo Bicelli, L. (Milan Polytechnic (Italy). Dept. of Applied Physical Chemistry CNR, Milan (Italy). Research Centre on Electrode Processes); Barriga, C.; Lavela, P.; Morales, J.; Tirado, J.L. (Cordoba Univ. (Spain). Dept. de Quimica Inorganica e Ingenieria Quimica)

    1992-08-01

    The effects of lithium insertion in MMo[sub 2]S[sub 4] (M: V, Cr, Fe) have been studied by means of chemical and electrochemical insertion methods. The reaction has a topotactic character and a higher degree of lithium insertion was found for the compound FeMo[sub 2]S[sub 4] which has a greater unit cell volume. For this compound the changes in lattice parameters with lithium content are also more pronounced. The voltage composition curves show a smooth voltage decrease with a quasi-plateau located at around 1.3 V. For discharge at lithium content higher than 0.8, the voltage decreases quickly followed by an extended plateau below 1 V, a region where electrolyte decomposition may occur. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the electrochemical lithiated compounds show that the original monoclinic structure is maintained up to 0.8 e[sup -] per mole, buth with a significant change in the intensity of the peaks, indicative of an alteration of cation distribution for this degree of insertion. For high lithium content, such disorder promotes the collapse of the structure, resulting in the loss of long-range order of the material. (orig.).