Preparation and Characterization of a Coordination Polymer Based on Iron (III)-Cyamelurate as a Superior Catalyst for Heterogeneous Fenton-Like Processes.

We report on a new iron (iii)-cyamelurate-based coordination polymer. The new material based on a heptazine derivative was prepared in aqueous medium and characterized by a variety of techniques including TGA, FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, and STEM. Due to the high structural stability of the complex in aqueous media, its heterogeneous Fenton-like catalytic activity was evaluated using a model molecule. The results obtained showed a high catalytic activity in both in basic and acid media. The pseudo-first-order rate constants normalized by iron(III) concentrations was approximately 1000 times higher than the result obtained for traditional heterogeneous catalysts based on iron(III) oxyhydroxides. The best observed catalytic activities were attributed to the increase in the binding sites of Fe3+ ions, in parallel with the increased exposure of the catalytic sites, leading to a higher atomic efficiency of the reaction.

A perspective of mitochondrial dysfunction in rats treated with silver and titanium nanoparticles (AgNPs and TiNPs).

Nanotechnology is a growing branch of science that deals with the development of structural features bearing at least one dimension in the nano range. More specifically, nanomaterials are defined as objects with dimensions that range from 1 to 100 nm, which give rise to interesting properties. In particular, silver and titanium nanoparticles (AgNPs and TiNPs, respectively) are known for their biological and biomedical properties and are often used in consumer products such as cosmetics, food additives, kitchen utensils, and toys. This situation has increased environmental and occupational exposure to AgNPs and TiNPs, which has placed demand for the risk assessment of NPs. Indeed, the same properties that make nanomaterials so attractive could also prove deleterious to biological systems. Of particular concern is the effect of NPs on mitochondria because these organelles play an essential role in cellular homeostasis. In this scenario, this work aimed to study how AgNPs and TiNPs interact with the mitochondrial respiration chain and to analyze how this interaction interferes in the bioenergetics and oxidative state of the organelles after sub-chronic exposure. Mitochondria were exposed to the NPs by gavage treatment for 21 days to check whether co-exposure of the organelles to the two types of NPs elicited any mitochondrion-NP interaction. More specifically, male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Groups I, II, III, and IV received mineral oil, TiNPs (100 µg/kg/day), AgNPs (100 µg/kg/day), and TiNPs + AgNPs (100 µg/kg/day), respectively, by gavage. The liver was immediately removed, and the mitochondria were isolated and used within 3 h. Exposure of mitochondria to TiNPs + AgNPs lowered the respiratory control ratio, causing an uncoupling effect in the oxidative phosphorylation system. Moreover, both types of NPs induced mitochondrial swelling. Extended exposure of mitochondria to the NPs maintained increased ROS levels and depleted the endogenous antioxidant system. The AgNPs and TiNPs acted synergistically-the intensity of the toxic effect on the mitochondrial redox state was more significant in the presence of both types of NPs. These findings imply that the action of the NPs on mitochondria underlie NP toxicity, so future application of NPs requires special attention.

Micromesoporous Activated Carbons as Catalysts for the Efficient Oxidation of Aqueous Sulfide.

KOH activation of a mesophase pitch produces very efficient carbons for the removal of sulfide in aqueous solution, increasing the sulfur oxidation rate with the degree of activation of the carbon. These carbons are characterized by their graphitic structures, with domains of sizes of around 20 nm, and a moderate concentration of surface oxygen groups (0.2-0.5 mmol·g-1) dominating the basic groups. Because the activation leads first to a strong development of the micropores and later to a development of the mesopores, the surface area values are always high, reaching values of as high as 3250 m2·g-1 in the most activated carbon, with a volume of mesopores of as high as 44% of the total pore volume. In the presence of this carbon, the sulfide oxidation rate is 100 times higher than that found for a commercial activated carbon, the results indicating that the porosity of the carbon, especially mesoporosity, plays a role more important than the structure or the chemical nature of the carbon in the kinetics of sulfide oxidation to different polysulfides.