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34. Plastic Waste Precursor-Derived Fluorescent Carbon and Construction of Ternary FCs@CuO@TiO2 Hybrid Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production and Sensing ApplicationAkansha Metha, Rayees Ahmad Rather, Blaž Belec, Sandra Gardonio, Ming Fang, Matjaž Valant, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: A sustainable nexus between renewable energy production and plastic abatement is imperative for overall sustainable development. In this regard, this study aims to develop a cheaper and environmentally friendly nexus between plastic waste management, wastewater treatment, and renewable hydrogen production. Fluorescent carbon (FCs) were synthesized from commonly used LDPE (low-density polyethylene) by a facile hydrothermal approach. Optical absorption study revealed an absorption edge around 300 nm and two emission bands at 430 and 470 nm. The morphological analysis showed two different patterns of FCs, a thin sheet with 2D morphology and elongated particles. The sheet-shaped particles are 0.5 μm in size, while as for elongated structures, the size varies from 0.5 to 1 μm. The as-synthesized FCs were used for the detection of metal ions (reference as Cu2+ ions) in water. The fluorescence intensity of FCs versus Cu2+ ions depicts its upright analytical ability with a limit of detection (LOD) reaching 86.5 nM, which is considerably lesser than earlier reported fluorescence probes derived from waste. After the sensing of Cu2+, the as-obtained FCs@Cu2+ was mixed with TiO2 to form a ternary FCs@CuO@TiO2 composite. This ternary composite was utilized for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water under 1.5 AM solar light irradiation. The H2 evolution rate was found to be ~1800 μmolg−1, which is many folds compared to the bare FCs. Moreover, the optimized FCs@CuO@TiO2 ternary composite showed a photocurrent density of ~2.40 mA/cm2 at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, in 1 M Na2SO4 solution under the illumination of simulated solar light. The achieved photocurrent density corresponds to the solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of ~0.95%. The efficiency is due to the fluorescence nature of FCs and the synergistic effect of CuO embedded in TiO2, which enhances the optical absorption of the composite by reaching the bandgap of 2.44 eV, apparently reducing the recombination rate, which was confirmed by optoelectronic, structural, and spectroscopic characterizations.
Keywords: plastic waste, fluorescent carbo, sensing of metal ions, photocatalytic hydrogen production
Published in RUNG: 25.02.2022; Views: 1663; Downloads: 43
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35. Real-time monitoring of Arundo donax response to saline stress through the application of in vivo sensing technologyJanni Michela, Claudia Cocozza, Federico Brilli, Sara Pignattelli, Filippo Vurro, Nicola Coppede, Manuele Bettelli, Davide Calestani, Francesco Loreto, Andrea Zappettini, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: One of the main impacts of climate change on agriculture production is the dramatic increase of saline (Na+) content in substrate, that will impair crop performance and productivity. Here we demonstrate how the application of smart technologies such as an in vivo sensor, termed bioristor, allows to continuously monitor in real-time the dynamic changes of ion concentration in the sap of Arundo donax L. (common name giant reed or giant cane), when exposed to a progressive salinity stress. Data collected in vivo by bioristor sensors inserted at two different heights into A. donax stems enabled us to detect the early phases of stress response upon increasing salinity. Indeed, the continuous time-series of data recorded by the bioristor returned a specific signal which correlated with Na+ content in leaves of Na-stressed plants, opening a new perspective for its application as a tool for in vivo plant phenotyping and selection of genotypes more suitable for the exploitation of saline soils.
Keywords: Arundo donax, saline stress, vivo sensing technology
Published in RUNG: 17.12.2021; Views: 1683; Downloads: 18
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36. Impact of microplastics on growth, photosynthesis and essential elements in Cucurbita pepo L.Ilaria Colzi, Luciana Renna, Elisabetta Bianchi, Maria Beatrice Castellani, Andrea Coppi, Sara Pignattelli, Stefano Loppi, Cristina Gonnelli, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, Cucurbita pepo L., one of the most cultivated, consumed and economically important crop worldwide, was used as model plant to test the toxic effects of the four most abundant microplastics identified in contaminated soils, i.e. polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET). Cucurbita plants were grown in pots with increasing concentrations of the microplastics, then plant biometry, photosynthetic parameters and ionome of treated vs. untreated samples were compared to evaluate the toxicity of each plastic. All the pollutants impaired root and, especially, shoot growth. Specific and concentration-dependant effects of the different microplastics were found, including reduction in leaf size, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency, as well as changes in the micro- and macro-elemental profile. Among all the microplastics, PVC was identified as the most toxic and PE as the less toxic material. PVC decreased the dimensions of the leaf lamina, the values of the photosynthetic performance index and the plant iron concentration to a higher extent in respect to the other treatments. Microplastic toxicity exerted on the growth of C. pepo raises concerns about possible yield and economic loss, as well as for risks of a possible transfer into the food chain.
Keywords: microplastic toxicity, leaf traits, chlorophyll fluorescence, ionome, zucchini
Published in RUNG: 17.12.2021; Views: 1761; Downloads: 7
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37. Emerging ecotone and microbial community of a sulfidic spring in the reka River near Škocjanske jame, SloveniaJanez Mulec, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Sara Skok, Stanka Šebela, Rosana Cerkvenik, Tomaž Zorman, Ladislav Holko, Tina Eleršek, Lejla Pašić, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: karst, sulfidic spring, geochemical gradient, ecotone, microbial diversity, conservation
Published in RUNG: 10.12.2021; Views: 1966; Downloads: 37
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38. Interference of p53:Twist1 interaction through competing nanobodiesSerena D'Agostino, Elisa Mazzega, Katja Praček, Sara Piccinin, Flavia Pivetta, Michela Armellin, Sara Fortuna, Roberta Maestro, Ario De Marco, 2022, original scientific article Keywords: p53, Twist1, nanobodies, competitive elution, sarcoma
Published in RUNG: 03.12.2021; Views: 1607; Downloads: 0
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39. The role of substrate on thermal evolution of Ag/TiO[sub]2 nanogranular thin filmsVincenzo Balzano, Emanuele Cavaliere, Mattia Fanetti, Sandra Gardonio, Luca Gavioli, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: nanogranular composite thin film, substrate driven properties, morphology, optical absorption, Ag/TiO2
Published in RUNG: 03.12.2021; Views: 1842; Downloads: 136
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40. Enhancing the mechanical properties of biodegradable Mg alloys processed by warm HPT and thermal treatmentsAndrea Mizelli-Ojdanic, Jelena Horky, Bernhard Mingler, Mattia Fanetti, Sandra Gardonio, Matjaž Valant, Bartosz Sulkowski, Erhard Schafler, Dmytro Orlov, Michael J. Zehetbauer, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: severe plastic deformation, SPD, precipitates, vacancy agglomerates, magnesium alloys, biodegradability
Published in RUNG: 03.12.2021; Views: 1667; Downloads: 44
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