Morphology Dependent Photocatalytic Activity of α-MoO3 Nanostructures Towards Mutagenic Acridine Orange Dye

Impacts of molybdenum-, nickel-, and lithium- oxide nanomaterials on soil activity and microbial community structure

The nano forms of the metals molybdenum oxide (MoO₃), nickel oxide (NiO) and lithium oxide (Li₂O) are finding wide application in advanced technologies including batteries and fuel cells. We evaluated soil responses to nanoMoO₃, nanoNiO, and nanoLi₂O as some environmental release of the materials, either directly or following the land application of biosolids, is expected. Using Drummer soil (Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Endoaquolls), we evaluated the impacts of the three nanometals on soil gas (N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂) emissions, enzyme activities (β-glucosidase and urease), and microbial community structure (bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryal) in a 60 day microcosms incubation. Soil treated with nanoLi₂O at 474 μg Li/g soil, released 3.45 times more CO₂ with respect to the control. Additionally, β-glucosidase activity was decreased while urease activity increased following nanoLi₂O treatment. While no clear patterns were observed for gas emissions in soils exposed to nanoMoO₃ and nanoNiO, we observed a temporary suppression of β-glucosidase activity in soil treated with either metal. All three domains of microbial community were affected by increasing metal concentrations. This is the first evaluation of soil responses to nanoMoO₃, nanoNiO, or nanoLi₂O.

Graphene based nanoassembly for simultaneous detection and degradation of harmful organic contaminants from aqueous solution

Graphene based nanoassemblies that can simultaneously detect and degrade harmful organic contaminants from water are important for conquering the risk of hazardous chemicals.

Evolution of magnetism on a curved nano-surface

To design custom magnetic nanostructures, it is indispensable to acquire precise knowledge about the systems in the nanoscale range where the magnetism forms. In this paper we present the effect of a curved surface on the evolution of magnetism in ultrathin iron films. Nominally 70 Å thick iron films were deposited in 9 steps on 3 different types of templates: (a) a monolayer of silica spheres with 25 nm diameter, (b) a monolayer of silica spheres with 400 nm diameter and (c) for comparison a flat silicon substrate. In situ iron evaporation took place in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber using the molecular beam epitaxy technique. After the evaporation steps, time differential nuclear forward scattering spectra, grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering images and X-ray reflectivity curves were recorded. In order to reconstruct and visualize the magnetic moment configuration in the iron cap formed on top of the silica spheres, micromagnetic simulations were performed for all iron thicknesses. We found a great influence of the template topography on the onset of magnetism and on the developed magnetic nanostructure. We observed an individual magnetic behaviour for the 400 nm spheres which was modelled by vortex formation and a collective magnetic structure for the 25 nm spheres where magnetic domains spread over several particles. Depth selective nuclear forward scattering measurements showed that the formation of magnetism begins at the top region of the 400 nm spheres in contrast to the 25 nm particles where the magnetism first appears in the region where the spheres are in contact with each other.