Visible Light Sensitized CO2 Activation by the Tetraaza [Co^(II)N_4H(MeCN)]^(2+) Complex Investigated by FT-IR Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations

In situ FT-IR measurements and electronic structure calculations are reported for the reduction of CO_2 catalyzed by the macrocyclic complex [Co^(II)N_4H]^(2+) (N_4H = 2,12-dimethyl-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo-[11.3.1]-heptadeca-1(17),2,11,13,15-pentaene). Beginning from the [Co^(II)N_4H]^(2+) resting state of the complex in wet acetonitrile solution, two different visible light sensitizers with substantially different reducing power are employed to access reduced states. Accessing reduced states of the complex with a [Ru(bpy)_3]^(2+) sensitizer yields an infrared band at 1670 cm^(–1) attributed to carboxylate, which is also observed for an authentic sample of the one-electron reduced complex [CoN_4H(MeCN)]^+ in CO_2 saturated acetonitrile solution. The results are interpreted based on calculations using the pure BP86 functional that correctly reproduces experimental geometries. Continuum solvation effects are also included. The calculations show that Co is reduced to Co^I in the first reduction, which is consistent with experimental d–d spectra of square Co(I) macrocycle complexes. The energy of the CO_2 adduct of the one-electron reduced catalyst complex is essentially the same as for [CoN_4H(MeCN)]^+, which implies that only a fraction of the latter forms an adduct with CO_2. By contrast, the calculations indicate a crucial role for redox noninnocence of the macrocyclic ligand in the doubly reduced state, [Co^I(N_4H) –•], and show that [Co^I(N_4H) –•] binds partially reduced CO_2 fairly strongly. Experimentally accessing [Co^I(N_4H) –•] with an Ir(bpy)_3 sensitizer with greater reducing power closes the catalytic cycle as FT-IR spectroscopy shows CO production. Use of isotopically substituted C^(18)O_2 also shows clear evidence for ^(18)O-substituted byproducts from CO_2 reduction to CO

Photocatalytic properties of sisal fiber coated with nano titanium dioxide

Molded sisal fibers dip-coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were physico-chemical characterized and tested for the photocatalytic treatment of textile wastewaters. The X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed uniform TiO2 nanoparticles deposition in the anatase phase with and average diameter of 32 nm. The sisal/TiO2 nanocomposite exhibits a remarkable photodegradation yield of methylene blue solution (92%) maintaining a good efficiency even after 5 washing cycles (70%). The nanocomposite also exhibits a remarkable fast photo-induced hydrophilicity decreasing the contact angle from 140° to 6° after 7 minutes of UV exposure. Sisal fibers revealed to be a promising substrate for TiO2 nanocomposites in wastewater treatment due to its low cost, low density, high specific strength and modulus, no health risk, easy availability and renewability.(undefined

Solar Gas-Phase CO2 Hydrogenation by Multifunctional UiO-66 Photocatalysts

Solar-assisted CO2 conversion into fuels and chemical products involves a range of technologies aimed at driving industrial decarbonization methods. In this work, we report on the development of a series of multifunctional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on nitro- or amino-functionalized UiO-66(M) (M: Zr or Zr/Ti) supported RuOx NPs as photocatalysts, having different energy band level diagrams, for CO2 hydrogenation under simulated concentrated sunlight irradiation. RuOx(1 wt %; 2.2 ± 0.9 nm)@UiO-66(Zr/Ti)-NO2 was found to be a reusable photocatalyst, to be selective for CO2 methanation (5.03 mmol g–1 after 22 h;, apparent quantum yield at 350, 400, and 600 nm of 1.67, 0.25, and 0.01%, respectively), and to show about 3–6 times activity compared with previous investigations. The photocatalysts were characterized by advanced spectroscopic techniques like femto- and nanosecond transient absorption, spin electron resonance, and photoluminescence spectroscopies together with (photo)electrochemical measurements. The photocatalytic CO2 methanation mechanism was assessed by operando FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the most active photocatalyst operates under a dual photochemical and photothermal mechanism. This investigation shows the potential of multifunctional MOFs as photocatalysts for solar-driven CO2 recycling.C.M.R.N. thanks the support of PRE2019-089877 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. I.V. thanks the support of grant PID2020-115010RB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. A.L. thanks the support from the MICIU through grant PID2021-127918NB-I00. V.M.M. thanks financial support of grants PID2020-114347RB-C32 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 as well as Vasco-Eusko Jaurlaritza (project IT1639-22) and by ERDF “A way of making Europe”. The METHASOL project receives funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement N°10102264. Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politècnica de València. S.N. thanks the support of grant PID2021-123856OBI00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF “A way of making Europe”

Changes in the ceIl membrane of Lactobacillus bulgaricus during storage following freeze-drying

The mechanism of inactivation of freeze-dried Lactobacillus bulgaricus during storage in maltodextrin under controlled humidity was investigated. Evidence is presented supporting the hypothesis that membrane damage occurs during storage. A study on the lipid composition of the cells by gas chromatography showed a decrease in the unsaturated and saturated fatty acid content of the cell. Further evidence indicating membrane damage includes a decrease in membrane bound proton-translocating ATPase activity

Large-scale proteomic identification of S100 proteins in breast cancer tissues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Attempts to reduce morbidity and mortality in breast cancer is based on efforts to identify novel biomarkers to support prognosis and therapeutic choices. The present study has focussed on S100 proteins as a potentially promising group of markers in cancer development and progression. One reason of interest in this family of proteins is because the majority of the S100 genes are clustered on a region of human chromosome 1q21 that is prone to genomic rearrangements. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that S100 proteins are often up-regulated in many cancers, including breast, and this is frequently associated with tumour progression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Samples of breast cancer tissues were obtained during surgical intervention, according to the bioethical recommendations, and cryo-preserved until used. Tissue extracts were submitted to proteomic preparations for 2D-IPG. Protein identification was performed by N-terminal sequencing and/or peptide mass finger printing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of the detected S100 proteins were absent, or present at very low levels, in the non-tumoral tissues adjacent to the primary tumor. This finding strengthens the role of S100 proteins as putative biomarkers. The proteomic screening of 100 cryo-preserved breast cancer tissues showed that some proteins were ubiquitously expressed in almost all patients while others appeared more sporadic. Most, if not all, of the detected S100 members appeared reciprocally correlated. Finally, from the perspective of biomarkers establishment, a promising finding was the observation that patients which developed distant metastases after a three year follow-up showed a general tendency of higher S100 protein expression, compared to the disease-free group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This article reports for the first time the comparative proteomic screening of several S100 protein members among a large group of breast cancer patients. The results obtained strongly support the hypothesis that a significant deregulation of multiple S100 protein members is associated with breast cancer progression, and suggest that these proteins might act as potential prognostic factors for patient stratification. We propose that this may offer a significant contribution to the knowledge and clinical applications of the S100 protein family to breast cancer.</p

Mechanistic evaluation of primary human hepatocyte culture using global proteomic analysis reveals a selective dedifferentiation profile

© 2016 The Author(s)The application of primary human hepatocytes following isolation from human tissue is well accepted to be compromised by the process of dedifferentiation. This phenomenon reduces many unique hepatocyte functions, limiting their use in drug disposition and toxicity assessment. The aetiology of dedifferentiation has not been well defined, and further understanding of the process would allow the development of novel strategies for sustaining the hepatocyte phenotype in culture or for improving protocols for maturation of hepatocytes generated from stem cells. We have therefore carried out the first proteomic comparison of primary human hepatocyte differentiation. Cells were cultured for 0, 24, 72 and 168 h as a monolayer in order to permit unrestricted hepatocyte dedifferentiation, so as to reveal the causative signalling pathways and factors in this process, by pathway analysis. A total of 3430 proteins were identified with a false detection rate of <1 %, of which 1117 were quantified at every time point. Increasing numbers of significantly differentially expressed proteins compared with the freshly isolated cells were observed at 24 h (40 proteins), 72 h (118 proteins) and 168 h (272 proteins) (p < 0.05). In particular, cytochromes P450 and mitochondrial proteins underwent major changes, confirmed by functional studies and investigated by pathway analysis. We report the key factors and pathways which underlie the loss of hepatic phenotype in vitro, particularly those driving the large-scale and selective remodelling of the mitochondrial and metabolic proteomes. In summary, these findings expand the current understanding of dedifferentiation should facilitate further development of simple and complex hepatic culture systems

FTIR Spectroscopy with Isotopic Exchange: A Powerful Technique to Elucidate Photocatalytic Reaction Mechanisms

International audienc

Solid photocatalysts with enhanced properties: New approach of preparation

SéminaireInternational audienc

Glycerol valorization to glycolic acid through glyceraldehyde

L’objectif de cette thèse vise à la mise au point d’un procédé catalytique hautement sélectif pour la transformation du glycérol en aldéhyde et acide glycolique en l’absence de base. Pour cela, nous avons développé une approche de type catalyse hybride (i.e., couplage de catalyse enzymatique et de catalyse chimique). Cette étude résulte de la collaboration entre 3 laboratoires universitaires (i.e., l’UCCS, l’institut Viollette, le LGPC). Le travail de thèse présenté ici, est relative à la partie catalyse hétérogène. Afin d’atteindre nos objectifs, nous avons travaillé sur phase active à base de platine supporté sur différents supports (i.e., ZSM-5, TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3). Les catalyseurs ont été caractérisés (DRX, BET, XPS, ICP et MET) et testés en phase liquide en l’absence de base. Les conditions réactionnelles (température, concentration du glycérol, pression d’O2) ainsi que la formulation du catalyseur ont été optimisées. Cette optimisation a été couplée à une étude cinétique pour acquérir une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de réaction et les facteurs les plus importants sur l’activité catalytique. Le glycéraldéhyde ainsi formé est ensuite transformé en un autre aldéhyde (i.e. le glycolaldéhyde) par catalyse enzymatique. Lors de la dernière partie de la thèse, nous avons optimisé différents paramètres (température et pression d’O2) afin d’augmenter l’oxydation du glycolaldéhyde en acide glycolique et glyoxal.The objective of this thesis is to develop a highly selective catalytic process for the conversion of glycerol to aldehydes and glycolic acid in the absence of base. For this, we have developed a hybrid catalysis approach (i.e., enzymatic catalysis and chemical catalysis coupling). This study results from the collaboration between 3 academic laboratories (i.e., UCCS, Viollette institute and LGPC). The thesis work presented here is relative to the heterogeneous catalysis part. In order to achieve our goals, we worked on a platinum-based active phase supported on different oxides (i.e., ZSM-5, TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3). The catalysts have been characterized (DRX, BET, XPS, ICP and MET) and tested in liquid phase in the absence of a base. The reaction conditions (i.e., temperature, glycerol concentration, O2 pressure) as well as the catalyst formulation have been optimized. This optimization was coupled with a kinetic study to gain a better understanding of the reaction mechanisms and the most important factors on catalytic activity. The glyceraldehyde thus formed is then converted into another aldehyde (i.e., glycolaldehyde) by enzymatic catalysis.The last part of the thesis consists on the optimization of the reaction conditions (temperature, O2 pressure) to increase the oxidation of glycolaldehyde to glycolic acid and glyoxal