Recent Advancements in Pyrolysis of Halogen-Containing Plastics for Resource Recovery and Halogen Upcycling: A State-of-the-Art Review

Plastic waste has emerged as a serious issue due to its impact on environmental degradation and resource scarcity. Plastic recycling, especially of halogen-containing plastics, presents challenges due to potential secondary pollution and lower-value implementations. Chemical recycling via pyrolysis is the most versatile and robust approach for combating plastic waste. In this Review, we present recent advancements in halogen-plastic pyrolysis for resource utilization and the potential pathways from "reducing to recycling to upcycling" halogens. We emphasize the advanced management of halogen-plastics through copyrolysis with solid wastes (waste polymers, biomass, coal, etc.), which is an efficient method for dealing with mixed wastes to obtain high-value products while reducing undesirable substances. Innovations in catalyst design and reaction configurations for catalytic pyrolysis are comprehensively evaluated. In particular, a tandem catalysis system is a promising route for halogen removal and selective conversion of targeted products. Furthermore, we propose novel insights regarding the utilization and upcycling of halogens from halogen-plastics. This includes the preparation of halogen-based sorbents for elemental mercury removal, the halogenation-vaporization process for metal recovery, and the development of halogen-doped functional materials for new materials and energy applications. The reutilization of halogens facilitates the upcycling of halogen-plastics, but many efforts are needed for mutually beneficial outcomes. Overall, future investigations in the development of copyrolysis and catalyst-driven technologies for upcycling halogen-plastics are highlighted.

Unraveling the effect of particle size of active metals in Ni/MgO on methane activation and carbon growth mechanism

For dry reforming of methane, the active metal particle size of the catalyst has a significant effect on both the reaction activity and the resistance to carbon deposition. In this study, nickel particles of different sizes (Ni13, Ni25, and Ni37) supported on the MgO(100) slab are used to study the mechanism of CH4 activation and carbon growth based on DFT theoretical calculations. According to the results, the energy of adsorption for reaction intermediates changes depending on the size of the active metal. The adsorption process of CH3, CH2, CH and C on Ni25/MgO has a maximum exothermic value. Furthermore, the energy barriers of CH4 four-step dehydrogenation are lowest on Ni25/MgO during the CH4 activation process. The growth process of carbon deposition on the catalysts is also investigated in this work. The results indicate that the growth of carbon from C5 to C6 is difficult to proceed on Ni13/MgO due to size and active site limitation. Additionally, with an increase in particle size of the active metal, the absolute value of growth energy and average carbon binding energy of Cn increase on both Ni25/MgO and Ni37/MgO. It is proved that smaller particle size presents better resistance to carbon deposition. In the studied size range, Ni25/MgO is demonstrated to have greater catalytic activity and better resistance to carbon deposition.

Effects of Cu ratios on the C1-C6 growth mechanism on copper-nickel bimetallic surfaces

The adsorption and growth mechanisms of C_n (n = 1-6) on different Cu-Ni surfaces are calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The results demonstrate that Cu doping affects the growth mechanism of the deposited carbon on the catalyst surface. Firstly, the addition of Cu weakens the interaction between C_n and the adsorbed surface, which is proved by the results of density of states (DOS) and partial density of states (PDOS). The weakening of the interaction allows C_n to perform at higher proportions of Cu-doped surfaces with a behavior consistent with that in the gas phase. A comparison of the growth energies of the different pathways of C_n in the gas phase shows that the main pathway for the C_n growth is chain-to-chain (CC). The CC reaction is also the main pathway for the growth of C_n on the surfaces, which is enhanced by the doping of Cu. In addition, analysis of the growth energy revealed that C₂-C₃ is the rate-determining step in the growth process of C_n. The doping of Cu enhances the growth energy of this step, contributing to the suppression of the growth of the deposited carbon on the adsorbed surface. Moreover, an average carbon binding energy shows that the doping of Cu on the Ni surface could weaken the structural stability of C_n, favoring the elimination of carbon deposited on the catalyst surface.

A randomized trial of eribulin monotherapy versus eribulin plus anlotinib in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Eribulin mesylate is a novel, nontaxane, microtubule dynamics inhibitor. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of eribulin versus eribulin plus the oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor anlotinib in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this single-center, open-label, phase II clinical study (NCT05206656) conducted in a Chinese hospital, patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracycline- or taxane-based chemotherapy were randomized (1 : 1) to receive eribulin alone or in combination with anlotinib. The primary efficacy endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

From June 2020 to April 2022, a total of 80 patients were randomly assigned to either eribulin monotherapy or eribulin plus anlotinib combination therapy, with 40 patients in each group. The data cut-off was 10 August 2022. The median PFS was 3.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-5.5 months] for eribulin and 5.1 months (95% CI 4.5-6.9 months) for eribulin plus anlotinib (hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.98; P = 0.04). The objective response rates were 32.5% versus 52.5% (P = 0.07), respectively, and disease control rates were 67.5% versus 92.5% (P = 0.01), respectively. Patients <50 years of age, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0, visceral metastasis, number of treatment lines of four or more, hormone receptor negative (triple-negative), and HER2 low expression appeared to benefit more from combined treatment. The most common adverse events in both groups were leukopenia (n = 28, 70.0%, patients in the eribulin monotherapy group versus n = 35, 87.5%, patients in the combination therapy group), aspartate aminotransferase elevations (n = 28, 70.0%, versus n = 35, 87.5%), neutropenia (n = 25, 62.5%, versus n = 31, 77.5%), and alanine aminotransferase elevations (n = 25, 62.5%, versus n = 30, 75.0%).

CONCLUSION

Eribulin plus anlotinib can be considered an alternative treatment option for HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Activation cross sections for reactions induced by 14 MeV neutrons on natural titanium

Cross sections for the neutrons around 14 MeV interaction with natural titanium were precisely measured by neutron activation and off-line measurement technique. The fast neutrons were produced by ³H(d,n)⁴He reaction and the neutron energy was obtained by using the cross section ratio method of ⁹⁰Zr(n,2n)⁸⁹Zr to ⁹³Nb(n,2n)^92mNb reactions. Experimental cross sections have been acquired for ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁶Sc, ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁷Sc, ⁵⁰Ti(n,x)⁴⁷Ca and ⁴⁸Ti(n,x)⁴⁸Sc reactions. The measured cross section data are compared with the experimental data available in the previous literature and evaluated nuclear data from the ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1, CENDL-3.2 and FENDL-3.2b libraries. Furthermore, excitation functions for these reactions were calculated by using the theoretical model based on Talys-1.96 code with default and adjusted parameters. Within experimental error, evaluated nuclear data are mostly consistent with experimental data. The excitation function with adjusted parameters can roughly reproduce the experimental data.

Association of aldehyde exposure with bone mineral density in the national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES 2013-2014)

PURPOSE

The association between aldehyde exposure and bone health in humans remains unclear. This study was to evaluate the association of serum aldehydes with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia/osteoporosis.

METHODS

We analyzed the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cross-sectional data from 2013 to 2014. Weighted multivariate-adjusted linear regression and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between specific aldehydes and osteopenia/osteoporosis. Associations between aldehyde combinations and BMD were also evaluated using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method.

RESULTS

Compared with men in the first tertile, those in the third tertile of propanaldehyde concentration were negatively associated with proximal femur and lumbar spine BMD. Significant inverse associations were observed between benzaldehyde exposure and trochanter BMD in women. Benzaldehyde increased the risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis 2.75-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 7.11] in the highest tertile in women compared to the lowest tertile concentration. In males, the prevalence of total femur, femur neck, and trochanter osteopenia/osteoporosis was significantly higher in the highest versus the lowest tertile of propanaldehyde exposure, with odds ratios (ORs) of 6.84 (95% CI = 2.33, 20.04), 2.72 (95% CI = 1.18, 6.27), and 3.26 (95% CI = 1.25, 8.56), respectively. RCS regression also showed decreased BMD continuously with increasing serum mixed aldehyde levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum aldehyde concentrations were associated with low BMD and high osteopenia/osteoporosis risk in adults, with propanaldehyde and benzaldehyde being the most critical. Co-exposure to aldehyde combinations was negatively correlated with BMD.

Density Functional Theory Studies on the Hydrolysis of Levoglucosenone to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

Selective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass-derived chemicals is of critical significance for sustainable fine and commodity chemical industries. Cellulose-derived levoglucosenone (LGO) has a promising potential for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) with a substantial yield under acid conditions, but the mechanism is unidentified. Herein, we disclose the mechanism of LGO conversion to HMF in the aqueous phase without and with H₂SO₄ as a catalyst by density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the first time. Results showed that LGO first forms 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]-octane-2,4,4-triol (DH) via two sequential hydration reactions occurring at the C═C bond and then the ketone group. The use of H₂SO₄ as a catalyst significantly reduced the free energy barriers of LGO and DH conversion to HMF, with a free energy barrier of 115 kJ/mol for LGO → HMF compared to that of 91 kJ/mol for DH → HMF, demonstrating that DH is easier for HMF formation.

From Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries to Low-Cost Li4SiO4 Sorbent for CO2 Capture

The huge consumption of fossil fuels leads to excessive CO₂ emissions, and its reduction has become an urgent worldwide concern. The combination of renewable energies with battery energy storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage are well acknowledged as two major paths in achieving carbon neutrality. However, the former route faces the discard problem of a large amount of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their limited lifespan, while it is costly to obtain effective CO₂-capturing materials to put the latter into implementation. Herein, for the first time, we propose a route to synthesize low-cost Li₄SiO₄ as CO₂ sorbents from spent LIBs, verify the technical feasibility, and evaluate the CO₂ adsorption/desorption performance. The results show that Li₄SiO₄ synthesized from the cathode with self-reduction by the anode graphite of LIBs has a superior CO₂ capacity and cyclic stability, which is constant at around 0.19 g/g under 15 vol % CO₂ after 80 cycles. Moreover, the cost of fabricating sorbents from LIBs is only 1/20-1/3 of the conventional methods. We think this work can not only promote the recycling of spent LIBs but also greatly reduce the cost of preparing Li₄SiO₄ sorbents, and thus could be of great significance for the development of CO₂ adsorption.

Continuous, Large-Scale, and High Proportion of Bioinspired Phosphogypsum Composites via Reactive Extrusion

Biological matter evolution provides an idea for the human design and synthesis of new materials. However, biomimetic materials only stay in laboratory-scale models, and their large-scale industrial applications are yet to be realized. Here, inspired by nacre's architecture, we report a continuous, large-scale method to fabricate phosphogypsum composites by reactive extrusion strategy. After curing for seven days, with more than 50 wt% of beta-hemihydrate phosphogypsum (β-HPG), the compressive strength and softening coefficient were 24.98 MPa and 0.78, increasing by 110.0% and 20.0%, respectively, compared to the pouring method. The results show that the screw extrusion process can improve the mechanical strength and waterproof properties of β-HPG hydration specimens without any special chemical admixtures and cements.

Understanding the nature of NH3-coordinated active sites and the complete reaction schemes for NH3-SCR using Cu-SAPO-34 catalysts

Cu-SAPO-34 zeolite catalysts show excellent NH3-SCR performance at low temperature, which is due to the catalytic capacity of copper species. Isolated CuII ions and CuIIOH are active sites, but their nature and role are not fully understood. This paper reports the DFT calculations in combination with ab initio thermodynamics to investigate NH3 and H2O coordination to copper species under typical NH3-SCR reaction conditions. In the reduction part of the NH3-SCR reaction, NH2NO and NH4NO2 intermediates will form on CuII-2NH3/3NH3 and CuIIOH-2NH3 complexes, respectively. The Brønsted acid sites are crucial for the decomposition of these intermediates, rather than copper species. Furthermore, the decomposition of NH2NO is more energetically favorable than NH4NO2 which are formed on the Brønsted acid sites. In the re-oxidation part of the NH3-SCR reaction, O2 dissociation and NO2 formation occur on CuI-2NH3 complexes in the presence of NO, and the regeneration of CuIIOH-2NH3 requires the participation of H2O. The proposed complete mechanisms highlight the importance of ligand coordinated copper species for intermediate formation and O2 activation in NH3-SCR.

Insight into the effect of facet-dependent surface and oxygen vacancies of CeO2 for Hg removal: From theoretical and experimental studies

The reaction mechanisms of Hg oxidation on CeO₂(111) and (110) surface are clarified by a group of designed experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. CeO₂ nanorods and nanoparticles with exposure (110) and (111) faces were prepared by hydrothermal methods, and their morphological properties were investigated using XRD, XPS and HRTEM. Combined experimental and DFT results, the nanorods show better activity than nanoparticles. The total oxidation of Hg can be partially prohibited by the high barriers for the incorporated chlorine activation at reduced surfaces, due to the strong electronic repulsion of heavily accumulated charges. The energy barrier profiles suggest Hg oxidation is much more favorable on CeO₂(110) surface than that on CeO₂(111) surface. In the Hg oxidation via HCl and O₂, the role of O₂ is not only replenishment of lattice oxygen, but also could generate surface oxygen as active center for HCl active. The complete catalytic cycle can be identified as four parts: (i) HCl activated by lattice oxygen, (ii) Hg oxidation on defect surface, (iii) HCl activated by adsorbed oxygen and (iv) Hg oxidation on stoichiometric surface. The results of this study provide deep insights into the effects of CeO₂ nanocatalyst morphology on the Hg oxidation.

Atomically dispersed Ni in cadmium-zinc sulfide quantum dots for high-performance visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production

Catalysts with a single atom site allow highly tuning of the activity, stability, and reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts. Therefore, atomistic understanding of the pertinent mechanism is essential to simultaneously boost the intrinsic activity, site density, electron transport, and stability. Here, we report that atomically dispersed nickel (Ni) in zincblende cadmium-zinc sulfide quantum dots (ZCS QDs) delivers an efficient and durable photocatalytic performance for water splitting under sunlight. The finely tuned Ni atoms dispersed in ZCS QDs exhibit an ultrahigh photocatalytic H₂ production activity of 18.87 mmol hour^-1 g^-1. It could be ascribed to the favorable surface engineering to achieve highly active sites of monovalent Ni(I) and the surface heterojunctions to reinforce the carrier separation owing to the suitable energy band structures, built-in electric field, and optimized surface H₂ adsorption thermodynamics. This work demonstrates a synergistic regulation of the physicochemical properties of QDs for high-efficiency photocatalytic H₂ production.

MFN2 contributes to metabolic disorders and inflammation in the aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic disorders and inflammation of chondrocytes are major pathological changes in aging cells and osteoarthritis (OA). Recent studies demonstrated age-related mitochondrial dysfunction may be a key contributing factor in the development of OA. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a key regulator of mitochondrial fusion, cell metabolism, autophagy and apoptosis. This study was performed to ascertain whether MFN2 was involved in the aging of chondrocytes and OA.

METHODS

Metabolic measurements were taken in rat chondrocytes between different ages (3-week, 5-month, 12-month). MFN2 activity was detected in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Then, knockdown of MFN2 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes. Lentiviruses were used to establish MFN2-overexpression/knockdown OA models both in vivo and in vitro to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to OA progress. Further, regulatory mechanism of MFN2 was assessed and interaction between MFN2 and PARKIN was performed.

RESULTS

A metabolic shift to mitochondrial respiration was confirmed in rat chondrocytes during aging. MFN2 expression was elevated in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Knockdown of MFN2 with siRNA reversed the age-related metabolic changes in rat chondrocytes. Overexpression of MFN2 exacerbated inflammation and OA progress, while knockdown of MFN2 ameliorated inflammation and OA progress. Further, MFN2 could be ubiquitinated by PARKIN, declined PARKIN expression during aging and OA might result in elevated MFN2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes and inflammation during aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis.

Experimental and thermodynamic study of banana peel non-catalytic gasification characteristics

The Gasification performance of banana peel was examined in a fixed bed reactor. Effect of temperature, steam to carbon ratio (S/C), drying treatment on syngas composition, gas yield, CO₂ selectivity and carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) were investigated. The influence of temperature and S/C on hydrogen production was investigated by thermodynamic analysis. The transient characteristics of banana peel steam gasification were investigated by monitoring the evolutionary behavior of syngas production. An increase in S/C can lead to an increase in the selectivity of CO₂, but excess steam (S/C > 21.7) causes a decrease in H₂ yield and CCE. The increase of temperature is beneficial to the increase of CCE, but which leads to a decrease in CO₂ selectivity. When S/C = 27.1, the effect of temperature on H₂ yield can be divided into CCE control region and CO₂ selectivity control region. At temperature < 1023 K, H₂ yield is more sensitive to the changes of CCE. While at temperature > 1023 K, CO₂ selectivity has a more significant effect on H₂ yield. When S/C = 21.7 and temperature is 1023 K, the yield of H₂ produced from the fresh banana peel gasification reaches the maximum value (76.1 ml/g).

Irregular influence of alkali metals on Cu-SAPO-34 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia

SCR activity of Cu-SAPO-34 catalyst was reduced by alkali metal ions. The alkali metals ions (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) have shown irregular influences on Cu-SAPO-34. The order of poisoning strengths under 400 °C was found to be: Na⁺ > K⁺ > Li⁺, which is not consistent with the basicities of their corresponding metals. Experimental results and calculations showed that the alkali metal ions readily replace H⁺ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ ions. These exchanges result in the loss of Brønsted acid sites and migration of isolated Cu²⁺ ions in Cu-SAPO-34, which decrease the NH₃-SCR activity. Both the basicity and ion diameter will affect the exchanging behavior of an alkali ion. Na⁺ and Li⁺ ions will influence both H⁺ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ ions but K⁺ ions only preferably replace the H⁺. We hypothesize that K⁺ cannot enter into a small ring (6-membered ring) to replace a Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ ion because of its large ion diameter. The displaced Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ ions will transfer to adjacent unbonded Al site to form a CuAlO₂ species.

Alkali-driven active site shift of fast SCR with NH3 on V2O5–WO3/TiO2 catalyst via a novel Eley–Rideal mechanism

The heterogeneous SCR reaction obeys the well-known Eley–Rideal mechanism or Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism, while fast SCR over alkali-doping catalysts follows the another “E–R” mechanism with adsorbed NO₂.

T2 mapping in dermatomyositis/polymyositis and correlation with clinical parameters

AIM

To explore the T2-mapping signal characteristics of the thigh muscles in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) and to investigate the correlation between thigh muscle T2 values, clinical parameters, and serum creatinine kinase (CK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with DM/PM proven by diagnostic criteria were enrolled in the study along with 13 healthy control subjects. Both T2-mapping and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were obtained in the thigh musculature of all subjects. The T2 values of thigh muscles were compared between the DM/PM patients and control groups. Thirty-one DM/PM patients were evaluated with manual muscle testing (MMT) and serum CK levels. A Spearman correlation coefficient model was used to correlate the mean T2 values and clinical assessments. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also utilised. p-Values <0.05 reflected statistical significance.

RESULTS

The T2 value of all oedematous muscles was greater on average than that of the unaffected muscles of the DM/PM patients (p<0.05) and the muscles of healthy volunteers (p<0.05). The T2 value of unaffected muscles in DM/PM patients was also greater than that of the normal muscles in healthy volunteers (p<0.05). The area under the curves (AUCs) for T2 relaxation time values was 0.72 with respective sensitivity and specificity of 72.6% and 65.4%. The mean T2 relaxation time of the 31 patients group and the MMTs (p<0.05) was correlated without serum CK levels (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

T2 mapping is not only quantitatively used for subclinical muscle involvement in DM/PM, but also be used to demonstrate severity of damaged muscles in DM/PM.

Rapid Ferric Transformation by Reductive Dissolution of Schwertmannite for Highly Efficient Catalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B

In this study, reductive dissolution of iron oxides was considered for the acceleration of the transformation from Fe(III) to Fe(II) to improve the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) by potassium persulfate (PS) activation on schwertmannite. The addition of hydroxylamine (HA) showed an enhancement effect on the degradation at pH 3 and 5, but insignificant efficiency of the addition was obtained at pH 9. The surface reduction from Fe(III)-OH to Fe(II)-OH by HA was considered dominant for the acceleration of PS activation through the reductive dissolution process, and the hydroxyl and sulfate radicals generated by the decomposition of surface complexes were main primary reactive oxidants that contributed to the degradation of RhB.

New Insight into Polydopamine@ZIF-8 Nanohybrids: A Zinc-Releasing Container for Potential Anticancer Activity

Despite the initial evidence on the role of zinc and zinc transporters in cancer prevention, little attention has been paid to the zinc-derived compounds. In the present work, we reported a strategy to prepare a kind of zinc-releasing container with enhanced biocompatibility and release dynamics using ZIF-8 nanocrystals as the sacrificial templates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated that the ZIF-8 nanocrystals were gradually etched out in the aqueous media within 48 h, resulting in hollow nanocapsules. Notably, we found the self-polymerization of dopamine can form nanoshells around the ZIF-8 nanocrystals, which served as a type of functional membranes during the release of zinc. More interestingly, PDA@ZIF-8⁻based nanohybrids expressed stronger inhibition to the cancer cell growth, which implied that the nanohybrids could be a drug carrier for chemotherapy. This study broadens the biomedical application of ZIF-8 and also provides a versatile strategy toward the development of multifunctional delivery system.

ZIF-8@polyoxometalate derived Si-doped ZnWO4@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures for efficient visible light photocatalysis

In this work, we report silicon doped ZnWO₄@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures obtained by a facile encapsulation–calcination strategy derived from ZIF-8 and polyoxometalates.

Correction: ZIF-8@polyoxometalate derived Si-doped ZnWO4@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures for efficient visible light photocatalysis

Correction for ‘ZIF-8@polyoxometalate derived Si-doped ZnWO₄@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures for efficient visible light photocatalysis’ by Jingyu Ran et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8cc06077k.

Statistically optimal estimation of Greenland Ice Sheet mass variations from GRACE monthly solutions using an improved mascon approach

We present an improved mascon approach to transform monthly spherical harmonic solutions based on GRACE satellite data into mass anomaly estimates in Greenland. The GRACE-based spherical harmonic coefficients are used to synthesize gravity anomalies at satellite altitude, which are then inverted into mass anomalies per mascon. The limited spectral content of the gravity anomalies is properly accounted for by applying a low-pass filter as part of the inversion procedure to make the functional model spectrally consistent with the data. The full error covariance matrices of the monthly GRACE solutions are properly propagated using the law of covariance propagation. Using numerical experiments, we demonstrate the importance of a proper data weighting and of the spectral consistency between functional model and data. The developed methodology is applied to process real GRACE level-2 data (CSR RL05). The obtained mass anomaly estimates are integrated over five drainage systems, as well as over entire Greenland. We find that the statistically optimal data weighting reduces random noise by 35-69%, depending on the drainage system. The obtained mass anomaly time-series are de-trended to eliminate the contribution of ice discharge and are compared with de-trended surface mass balance (SMB) time-series computed with the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO 2.3). We show that when using a statistically optimal data weighting in GRACE data processing, the discrepancies between GRACE-based estimates of SMB and modelled SMB are reduced by 24-47%.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a sacrificial template: one-pot synthesis of hollow poly(dopamine) nanocapsules and yolk-structured poly(dopamine) nanocomposites

Hollow poly(dopamine) (PDA) nanocapsules and yolk-structured PDA nanocomposites were prepared by an aqueous one-pot synthesis method utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals as a sacrificial template without any special etchant. The resulting PDA nanocapsules show negligible cytotoxicity in HeLa cells after incubation for 48 h at various doses, which implies their potential as candidates for practical applications in drug transport and targeting.

Colloidal synthesis and characterization of single-crystalline Sb2Se3 nanowires

Single-crystalline Sb₂Se₃ nanowires have been synthesized by a hot-injection phosphine-free colloidal method and show excellent photoelectrochemical properties.