The structure and molecular composition of the fossilized blood vessel sections of SUT-MG/F/Tvert/2.

<p>ESEM images and ToF-SIMS fast imaging mode mapping of blood vessels sections displaying their tubular structure. a) ESEM image of thin section showing fossilized blood vessels; analyzed area marked by rectangle. b) the same thin section in optical microscopy; analyzed area marked. c) blood vessel in SEM image, enlarged part of Fig 3a shows location of ToF-SIMS mapping; d‒j) ToF-SIMS ion distribution maps generated for the selected masses corresponding to iron (55.86 Da) and amino acid ions: 30.03 Da–CH₄N⁺ (glycine or proline), 44.05 Da–C₂H₆N⁺ (alanine), 70.07 Da–C₄H₈N⁺ (proline), 86.06 Da–C₄H₈NO⁺ (hydroxyproline), 84.08 Da–C₅H₁₀N⁺ (lysine) and total ion image (Fig 3j) in positive polarity. The distribution of iron (Fig 3d) within the vessel section overlaps with the distribution of ions.</p

ToF-SIMS positive polarity spectra of fossilized blood vessel from demineralized WNoZ/s/7/166.

<p>The spectra show expanded <i>m/z</i> regions associated with amino acids. The chemical structures of the ions (in red, framed) corresponding to a) lysine, b) hydroxylysine, c) proline, d) hydroxyproline, e) glycine, f) alanine, g) leucine, and h) iron are shown in the spectra in panels (a‒h). Other nitrogen-containing organic fragments corresponding to amino acids are also shown.</p

Band assignments of organic signals for different samples (range up to 1800 cm^-1).

<p>Band assignments of organic signals for different samples (range up to 1800 cm^-1).</p

XPS survey data.

<p>a) Fe 2p multiplet obtained for isolated fossilized blood vessels together with the results of fitting; b) N 1s line obtained for isolated fossilized blood vessels together with the results of fitting; c) S 2p multiplet obtained for isolated fossilized blood vessels from two different spots in the same sample of blood vessel: red line: internal part of fractured fossilized blood vessel (corresponding to lumina); purple line: external part of fractured fossilized blood vessel (corresponding to vessel wall).</p

Infrared spectra of analyzed samples and control samples.

<p>Peak fit analysis based on the FTIR measurements for recent (a) and fossil bones (b‒d); pure carbonate (e); and two samples of fossilized blood vessels of WNoZ/s/7/166 (f and g). Each cortical bone (a‒d) shows an apatite (PO₄)^3- as well as a carbonate (CO₃)^2- peak, while both samples of WNoZ/s/7/166 infrared spectrum reveal a goethite (OH)^- and (FeO₄)^5- peak. a) The primary cortical bone of a marine iguana femur shows amide bands at 1700‒1500 cm^-1; b) and c) fossil bones of WNoZ/s/7/166 and SUT-MG/F/Tvert/2 reveal an amide peak at 1650‒1550 cm^-1; d) the lack of amide components as detected in the nothosaur femur (SUT-MG/F/Tvert/15) bone; e) a sediment control sample from the vicinity of bone WNoZ/s/7/166; f) and g) isolated fossilized blood vessels show amide peaks at 1670‒1600 cm^-1 and at 1450‒1200 cm^-1. The other peaks come from amino acid residues and lipid structures.</p

Demineralized blood vessel from fossil samples.

<p>Stereoscopic and ESEM microscope images of blood vessels: a) partially demineralized bone sample from the near-cortical region shows parallel-oriented fossilized blood vessels (SUT-MG/F/Tvert/2 sample) in stereoscopic microscope image; b) fossilized “floating” blood vessels from sample SUT-MG/F/Tvert/2 during the demineralization (decalcification) process in EDTA solution in stereoscopic microscope image; c) ESEM image of bifurcated blood vessels mounted on a carbon conductive tab (WNoZ/s/7/166 sample); d-f) isolated branch-like-shaped blood vessels (WNoZ/s/7/166 sample) in stereoscopic microscope images; g) ESEM image of fossilized blood vessel mounted on carbon conductive tab; h) ESEM images of magnified fragment of a mineralized blood vessel with preserved tubular morphology from a demineralized part of bone from specimen WNoZ/s/7/166; i) ESEM image of heavily mineralized, damaged walls of a blood vessel (SUT-MG/F/Tvert/2) with nodular-form goethite crystals, mounted on a carbon conductive tab.</p

Conversion of Natural Tannin to Hydrothermal and Graphene-Like Carbons Studied by Wide-Angle X‑ray Scattering

The atomic structure of carbon materials prepared from natural tannin by two different techniques, high-temperature pyrolysis and low-temperature hydrothermal carbonization, was studied by wide-angle X-ray scattering. The obtained diffraction data were converted to the real space representation in the form of pair distribution functions. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements provided information about the chemical state of carbon in tannin-based materials that was used to construct final structural models of the investigated samples. The results of the experimental data in both reciprocal and real spaces were compared with computer simulations based on the PM7 semiempirical quantum chemical method. Using the collected detailed information, structural models of the tannin-based carbons were proposed. The characteristics of the investigated materials at the atomic level were discussed in relation to their preparation method. The rearrangement of the tannin molecular structure and its transformation to graphene-like structure was described. The structure of tannin-based carbons pyrolyzed at 900 °C exhibited coherently scattering domains about 20 Å in size, consisting of two defected atomic layers and resembling a graphene-like arrangement

EDXRF spectra of Au/SiO₂ (a), Au-Fe (b), Au/Cu (c) and Au/Ni(d) that were collected using an Rh target X-ray tube operated at 30kV and 300 μA.

<p>EDXRF spectra of Au/SiO₂ (a), Au-Fe (b), Au/Cu (c) and Au/Ni(d) that were collected using an Rh target X-ray tube operated at 30kV and 300 μA.</p

Ammonia conversion on the Pd/Ni (t-Ni catalyst) for different ammonia flow rates of 2 dm³/h (black triangles), 6 dm³/h (shadowed triangles) or 12 dm³/h (white triangles) compared with the control Ni carrier that was preprocessed analogously (but without Pd NPs) at a flow rate of 2 dm³/h (black squares).

<p>Ammonia conversion on the Pd/Ni (t-Ni catalyst) for different ammonia flow rates of 2 dm³/h (black triangles), 6 dm³/h (shadowed triangles) or 12 dm³/h (white triangles) compared with the control Ni carrier that was preprocessed analogously (but without Pd NPs) at a flow rate of 2 dm³/h (black squares).</p

SEM (a) and TEM (b-d) images of 1.0% Au/Cu catalyst.

<p>SEM (a) and TEM (b-d) images of 1.0% Au/Cu catalyst.</p