A facile development of highly efficient Pt-TiO(2) nanostructured films via versatile gas-phase deposition methods is described. The films have a unique one-dimensional (1D) structure of TiO(2) single crystals coated with ultrafine Pt nanoparticles (NPs, 0.5-2 nm) and exhibit extremely high CO(2) photoreduction efficiency with selective formation of methane (the maximum CH(4) yield of 1361 μmol/g-cat/h). The fast electron-transfer rate in TiO(2) single crystals and the efficient electron-hole separation by the Pt NPs were the main reasons attributable for the enhancement, where the size of the Pt NPs and the unique 1D structure of TiO(2) single crystals played an important role.

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Sustainable use of nanotechnology for agricultural practice requires an understanding of the plant's life cycle and potential toxicological impacts of nanomaterials. The main objective of this study was to compare the impact of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles of similar size (25 ± 3.5 nm) over a range of concentrations (0 to 1000 mg kg(-1)) on translocation and accumulation of nanoparticles in different plant sections; as well as to establish physiological impact on tomato plants. The results indicated that there is a critical concentration of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles upto which the plant's growth and development are promoted; with no improvement beyond that. Aerosol mediated application was found to be more effective than the soil mediated application on the uptake of the nanoparticles was in plants. A mechanistic description of nanoparticle uptake, translocation and resultant plant response is unraveled. The present investigation demonstrates the concept of nanoparticle farming by understanding plant - nanoparticle interaction and biodistribution.