Fabrication of Pore-Selective Metal-Nanoparticle-Functionalized Honeycomb Films via the Breath Figure Accompanied by In Situ Reduction

Honeycomb films pore-filled with metal (Au, Ag, and Cu) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining the breath figure method and an in situ reduction reaction. First, a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-based star-shaped polymer solution containing metal salt was cast under humid conditions for the formation of honeycomb films pore-filled with metal salt through the breath figure method. The morphology of the honeycomb films was mainly affected by the polymer molecular structure and the metal salt. Interestingly, the promoting effect of the metal salt in the breath figure process was also observed. Then, honeycomb films pore-filled with metal nanoparticles were obtained by in situ reduction of the honeycomb films pore-filled with metal salt using NaBH4. Notably, the metal nanoparticles can be selectively functionalized in the pores or on the surface of the honeycomb films by controlling the concentration of the NaBH4. Metal-nanoparticle-functionalized honeycomb films can prospectively be used in catalysis, flexible electrodes, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and wettability patterned surfaces

The stoichiometry of soil microbial biomass determines metabolic quotient of nitrogen mineralization

Soil nitrogen (N) mineralization is crucial for the sustainability of available soil N and hence ecosystem productivity and functioning. Metabolic quotient of N mineralization (Q(min)), which is defined as net soil N mineralization per unit of soil microbial biomass N, reflects the efficiency of soil N mineralization. However, it is far from clear how soil Q(min) changes and what are the controlling factors at the global scale. We compiled 871 observations of soil Q(min) from 79 published articles across terrestrial ecosystems (croplands, forests, grasslands, and wetlands) to elucidate the global variation of soil Q(min) and its predictors. Soil Q(min) decreased from the equator to two poles, which was significant in the North Hemisphere. Soil Q(min) correlated negatively with soil pH, total soil N, the ratio of soil carbon (C) to N, and soil microbial biomass C, and positively with mean annual temperature and C:N ratio of soil microbial biomass at a global scale. Soil microbial biomass, climate, and soil physical and chemical properties in combination accounted for 41% of the total variations of global soil Q(min). Among those predictors, C:N ratio of soil microbial biomass was the most important factor contributing to the variations of soil Q(min) (the standardized coefficient = 0.39) within or across ecosystem types. This study emphasizes the critical role of microbial stoichiometry in soil N cycling, and suggests the necessity of incorporating soil Q(min) into Earth system models to better predict N cycling under environmental change