Anatase TiO 2 coatings prepared by solvothermal process in a neutral ethanol solution of isopropyl titanate at 160 °C have been grown on slag wool fibers (SWF) which were modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in advance. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the coatings are of a nanocrystalline anatase structure, and scanning electron microscopy observations and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum revealed a continuous coverage of TiO 2 formed on the fiber surfaces. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was tested by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. The results show that CTAB modified slag wool fibers (CMSWF) are not a suitable adsorbent for MB due to their weaker negative surface charges. Anatase TiO 2 coated CMSWF display higher photocatalyst activity than anatase TiO 2 coated SWF without CTAB modification, and Anatase TiO 2 coated CMSWF are relatively stable under UV-light irradiation.
Researchers are accustomed to utilizing traditional solid-state and sol–gel routes to synthesize Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NVP). No regulation mechanism is proposed to illustrate the growth process of NVP in solvothermal environment. In current work, uniform spherical particles with positive charge are synthesized by molecular self-assembly of nanosphere micelles using structural guiding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG) and surfactant Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Nanoflower-shaped NVP sample is successfully prepared in the 100 % methyl alcohol medium, derived from the plate V 2 O 5 (negative charge) combining with the nuclear nanospheres (positive charge) with the induction of electrostatic attraction. Based on the multi-dimensional tests and molecular dynamic calculation, the protective mechanism of polar solution for NVP system is proposed for the first time, that is, methanol solvent system can better protect the morphological features of NVP than water environment to maintain the original special nanoflower morphology. Due to the distinctive and stabilized nanoflower construction, the optimized NVP60 sample can provide more extra active sites for the efficient de-intercalation of Na + and possess a large contacting area with electrolyte, resulting in the facilitated kinetic characteristics and superior electrochemical performance. The optimized NVP60 cathode possesses superior sodium storage property in both half cell and full cell. This work proposes a synergetic strategy combining theory and experiment to design and synthesize the modified NVP-based cathode materials from the molecular bonding aspect, further promoting the development of high performance cathode for SIBs.
ObjectivesIn our previous research, we have developed a new combination disinfectant, glutaraldehyde‐didecyldimethylammonium bromide (GD). It was verified that GD had a strong effect on both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, Candida albicans was selected as an object, and it could be killed by GD. We aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanism of GD effecting on C. albicans.Methods and ResultsThe results of sterilization experiment indicated that GD was effective on C. albicans. Flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrometry were applied to detect cell membrane damage of C. albicans. Luciferase reaction and Bradford method were carried out to detect ATP content and protein quantitation. Transmission electron microscopy was used for intracellular organelles morphological observation. In order to study changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, Rh 123 was used as an indicator. DNA conformation analysis was performed by molecular modelling and circular dichroism. The results indicated that membrane permeability was increased rapidly owing to GD effect, and the leaked K+ and Mg2+ were about 12·1 and 12·4 times those of the control, respectively, at 10 min after GD treatment. Simultaneously, ATP and protein also leaked rapidly out of the cell. Mitochondrial membrane potential was destroyed, succinic dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased and DNA conformation was changed because of GD action.ConclusionsGlutaraldehyde‐didecyldimethylammonium bromide disinfected C. albicans through distorting cell membrane integrity and permeability, disturbing the intracellular homeostasis by intracellular substances leakage, especially K+, Mg2+, ATP and protein, causing electrolyte imbalance of mitochondria, changing DNA structure, which finally led to cell death.Significance and Impact of the StudyThis study focused on the cellular and molecular mechanism of GD as a disinfectant against C. albicans. It is important to provide theoretical support to GD against Candida albicans in practical application.