Preparation of Polyaniline-Doped Fullerene Whiskers

Fullerene C60 whiskers (FWs) doped with polyaniline emeraldine base (PANI-EB) were synthesized by mixing PANI-EB/N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) colloid and FWs suspension based on the nature of the electron acceptor of C60 and electron donor of PANI-EB. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra characterized the morphology and molecular structure of the FWs doped with PANI-EB. SEM observation showed that the smooth surface of FWs was changed to worm-like surface morphology after being doped with PANI-EB. The UV-Vis spectra suggested that charge-transfer (CT) complex of C60 and PANI-EB was formed as PANI-EBδ+-C60δ-. PANI-EB-doped FWs might be useful as a new type of antibacterial and self-cleaning agent as well as multifunctional material to improve the human health and living environment

Influence of casting temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of Cu50Zr45.5Ti2.5Y2 metallic glass prepared using copper mold casting [+ Erratum]

We investigated the influence of casting temperatures on microstructures and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Cu50Zr45.5Ti2.5Y2 alloy. With casting temperatures increasing, the content of the crystalline phase decreases. At high casting temperature, i.e., 1723 K, glass forming ability (GFA) of the present alloy enhanced. It is implied that adjusting casting temperatures could be used for designing the microstructures of bulk metallic glass matrix composite (BMGC). Nano-indentation tests indicated that CuZr phases is a little softer and can accommodate more plastic deformation than the amorphous matrix. Compression tests confirmed that this kind of the second phase (CuZr) precipitated under lower casting temperatures helps to initiate multiple shear bands, resulting in great improvement of mechanical properties of the samples. Our work indicate that casting temperatures lead a great influence on GFA, microstructures and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified alloy and controlling casting temperatures is crucial to the application of BMGs

Genome-wide investigation and expression analysis of OSCA gene family in response to abiotic stress in alfalfa

Alfalfa is an excellent leguminous forage crop that is widely cultivated worldwide, but its yield and quality are often affected by drought and soil salinization. Hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channel (OSCA) proteins are hyperosmotic calcium ion (Ca2+) receptors that play an essential role in regulating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, no systematic analysis of the OSCA gene family has been conducted in alfalfa. In this study, a total of 14 OSCA genes were identified from the alfalfa genome and classified into three groups based on their sequence composition and phylogenetic relationships. Gene structure, conserved motifs and functional domain prediction showed that all MsOSCA genes had the same functional domain DUF221. Cis-acting element analysis showed that MsOSCA genes had many cis-regulatory elements in response to abiotic or biotic stresses and hormones. Tissue expression pattern analysis demonstrated that the MsOSCA genes had tissue-specific expression; for example, MsOSCA12 was only expressed in roots and leaves but not in stem and petiole tissues. Furthermore, RT–qPCR results indicated that the expression of MsOSCA genes was induced by abiotic stress (drought and salt) and hormones (JA, SA, and ABA). In particular, the expression levels of MsOSCA3, MsOSCA5, MsOSCA12 and MsOSCA13 were significantly increased under drought and salt stress, and MsOSCA7, MsOSCA10, MsOSCA12 and MsOSCA13 genes exhibited significant upregulation under plant hormone treatments, indicating that these genes play a positive role in drought, salt and hormone responses. Subcellular localization results showed that the MsOSCA3 protein was localized on the plasma membrane. This study provides a basis for understanding the biological information and further functional analysis of the MsOSCA gene family and provides candidate genes for stress resistance breeding in alfalfa