Metal-organic frameworks are one of the most active research fields today. Despite the progress in recent years, synthesis of highly porous structures bearing functional groups for specific applications remains a challenge. Here, we describe synthesis of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV)-based tetrazine containing metalorganic frameworks, ZrTz-68 and HfTz-68 with pore size of 2.1 nm, specific surface area up to 4217 m 2 g -1 , and a UiO-68
There is an imperative need to develop efficient whole-animal-based testing assays to determine the potential toxicity of engineered nanomaterials. While previous studies have demonstrated toxicity in lung and skin cells after C70 nanoparticles (NPs) exposure, the potential detrimental role of C70 NPs in neurobehavior is largely unaddressed. Here, we evaluated the chronic effects of C70 NPs exposure on behavior and alterations in biochemical responses in adult zebrafish. Two different exposure doses were used for this experiment: low dose (0.5 ppm) and high dose (1.5 ppm). Behavioral tests were performed after two weeks of exposure of C70 NPs. We found decreased locomotion, exploration, mirror biting, social interaction, and shoaling activities, as well as anxiety elevation and circadian rhythm locomotor activity impairment after ~2 weeks in the C70 NP-exposed fish. The results of biochemical assays reveal that following exposure of zebrafish to 1.5 ppm of C70 NPs, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the brain and muscle tissues increased significantly. In addition, the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) also increased from 2.95 ± 0.12 U/ug to 8.46 ± 0.25 U/ug and from 0.90 ± 0.03 U/ug to 3.53 ± 0.64 U/ug in the muscle and brain tissues, respectively. Furthermore, an increased level of cortisol was also observed in muscle and brain tissues, ranging from 17.95 ± 0.90 pg/ug to 23.95 ± 0.66 pg/ug and from 3.47 ± 0.13 pg/ug to 4.91 ± 0.51 pg/ug, respectively. Increment of Hif1-α level was also observed in both tissues. The elevation was ranging from 11.65 ± 0.54 pg/ug to 18.45 ± 1.00 pg/ug in the muscle tissue and from 4.26 ± 0.11 pg/ug to 6.86 ± 0.37 pg/ug in the brain tissue. Moreover, the content of DNA damage and inflammatory markers such as ssDNA, TNF-α, and IL-1β were also increased substantially in the brain tissues. Significant changes in several biomarker levels, including catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA), were also observed in the gill tissues. Finally, we used a neurophenomic approach with a particular focus on environmental influences, which can also be easily adapted for other aquatic fish species, to assess the toxicity of metal and carbon-based nanoparticles. In summary, this is the first study to illustrate the adult zebrafish toxicity and the alterations in several neurobehavior parameters after zebrafish exposure to environmentally relevant amounts of C70 NPs.
A metal‐organic framework of ZIF‐8 is used as an interlayer between the mesoporous TiO2 and the perovskite layer in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The ZIF‐8 solution is dried on the mesoporous TiO2 layer, which can then act as an additional light absorbing layer at the short‐wavelength range for the solar cells, leading to improved performance of the cell. After an immersion time of 1–5 min, a very thin ZIF‐8 film is formed on TiO2. An enhancement in the incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) is achieved for PSCs using the ZIF‐8‐coated TiO2 layer. The conversion efficiency of PSCs is improved from 9.6 to 12.0% when ZIF‐8 is present. UV–vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectra are used to investigate the beneficial effect of ZIF‐8/TiO2 hybrid layers.
Electrodeposition of aluminum metal using an AlCl3–urea ionic liquid electrolyte at room temperature is studied. The molar ratio of AlCl3/urea, addition of toluene, stirring speed, deposition duration, and temperature are the major factors that affect the deposition of aluminum. The electroplating is carried out at temperatures in the range 20–60°C at a stirring speed 0–80 rpm using bias of 1 V applied for 2 h. The aluminum electrodeposition is enhanced at a high molar ratio of AlCl3/urea using 20% diluted toluene electrolyte. The microstructure of the deposited aluminum layer is examined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current density is found to decrease with the duration and at lower temperatures. In this study, a current efficiency as high as ~89.98% could be obtained at 60°C.
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