•A novel and simple method was applied to prepare the porous leather particles (AAPLP).•AAPLP shows a remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb2+.•The studied adsorption process obeys the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order model.•Characterizations are used to research the adsorption mechanism of AAPLP.In this work, chrome-tanned leather waste were activated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to prepare a porous adsorbent for lead (II) adsorption. The effects of various preparation parameters like the concentration of NaOH, the size of leather particles, the activation time and the activation temperature were studied. Under optimum preparation condition, the alkali-activated porous leather particles (AAPLP) were obtained after vacuum freeze-drying. AAPLP was characterized with BET, SEM, FT-IR, TG and XPS. It was found that the BET surface of AAPLP was twice more than unactivated leather waste. Additionally, it could be inferred that ion-exchange and complexation happened during the adsorption process between AAPLP and lead (II). The effects of solution pH, temperature and contact time on adsorption capacity of AAPLP for lead (II) have also been investigated. The experiment data was fitted well with Freundlich isotherm and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Meanwhile, the kinetic data was governed by intraparticle diffusion model and it was found that the adsorption process contained three stages.

•Hierarchical Mo-doped S/BiOCl Heterostructured Spheres have been prepared successfully.•Mo-doped S/BiOCl presented an excellent performance in photo/thermocatalytic and thermocatalytic degradation of MB.•The kinetics of degradation process was fitting to Langmuir–Hinshelwood behavior.Hierarchical Mo-doped S/BiOCl (MSB) heterostructures were successfully prepared by a facile one-step reflux method. The resulting samples were evaluated by XRD, SEM, TEM, DRS and XPS. The results obtained showed that MSB possessed an outstanding photo and/or thermocatalytic performance under near room-temperature for removal of methylene blue (MB), reaching up to 99.9 and 96.5% for photo/thermocatalytic degradation (PTD) and thermocatalytic degradation (TD), respectively. The hole/radical scavenger tests indicated holes and free radial were both participated in PTD and TD reactions, but the holes formed from degradation reactions were strongly considered as the most influential impact on conducting PTD and TD patterns rather than free radicals. Furthermore, the kinetics regarding PTD and TD routes were also monitored, preferentially fitting to Langmuir–Hinshelwood behavior. Briefly, this study may provide new insights into fabricating hierarchical heterostructures by in-suit one-step approach for decontamination of organic pollutants separately using PTD or TD.

Interest in photocatalysis has been fascinated by the realization that solar light is effectively an inexhaustible energy resource. Nevertheless, the necessity for high-energy ultraviolet irradiation and excessive recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes have seriously restricted its evolution for industrial sized scales. Here we report on a thermally-excited-catalytic (TEC) design purely from leveraging ambient heat to completely decompose water pollutants. A-fabricated Cu/NiMn2O4 (CNM) with a thermally-sensitized feature possesses relatively high TEC activity that disassociates hazardous materials in the dark, suggesting successful uses catalyzing a broad range of chemical reactions with a degradation process. Additionally, a convincing explanation of a TEC decomposition mechanism is described from collecting the degradation products. Stability evaluation demonstrates that the morphology and structure of CNM remains unchanged even after multiple degradation use cycles, and hence this stable catalyst can be recovered and reused without appreciable loss in activity. Briefly, our evidence may attest to feasibility of a general concept for executing a TEC route through heat stimulus, offering a desirable way to effectively remove environmental contamination.

Bi2MoO6/BiOCl (BMB) with thermally-responsive catalytic properties was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal approach under a low-temperature environment. The influence of initial concentration, reaction temperature, pH, and ions on the thermally-responsive catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was systematically investigated. The experimental evidence shows that an excellent thermally-responsive catalytic activity on decomposing MB is found using BMB under low-heat excitation. Diverse ions introduced toward bare solutions could significantly improve the succeeding degradation effect. The degradation products from thermally-responsive catalytic reactions were identified by GC-MS, demonstrating that this pattern possesses a substantial ability to achieve the destruction of water pollutants. Recycling evaluation reveals that the total degradation rate of MB over BMB remains at a level of >70% even after three use cycles, implying that BMB could be reused without severe loss of activity. A rational mechanism responsible for deteriorating pollutants is also proposed. Accordingly, BMB triggered with heat may provide a viable alternative catalyst for the abatement of organic contaminants from future chemical industries.

Many studies have indicated that microorganisms provide less protection or even detrimental effects to metals and alloys. In this study, surface analytical (SEM and EDS) and electrochemical techniques (polarization curves and EIS) were used to analyze the behaviour of copper corrosion by actinomyces, fungi and bacteria, which were isolated from the soil. Many pits and craters were presented on the copper surfaces after incubation with these three microfloras, and clear differences in the corrosion products and morphologies of the copper samples were observed in the fungi and bacteria groups compared with the control. The biofilm layer and the cumulated corrosion products are associated with an oxygen concentration cell, which may influence the corrosion susceptibility of copper. Our results suggest that the corrosion rate of copper samples increases more rapidly in the bacteria groups than in the actinomyces, while in the fungi groups it displays a volatile change with a large amplitude.

The waste treatment of polymer materials is often conducted using the photocatalytic technique; however, complete decomposition is frequently inhibited owing to several shortcomings such as low quantum yield and the requirement of ultraviolet irradiation. Herein, we report a strategy to implement moderate management of polymeric films via thermocatalytic oxidative route, which is responsive to heat stimulus. Diverse LDPE-matrix films together with as-prepared thermal catalysts (TCs) or initiators were synthesized to further investigate heat-dependent-catalytic degradation effects. After artificial ageing, structural textures of the as-synthesized films could be chemically deteriorated, followed by a huge increase in surface roughness values, and appreciable loss was also found in the average molecular weights and mechanical parameters. We found an emergent phenomenon in which crystallization closely resembled two-dimensional (2D) growth, which displayed rod-like or disc-type crystal shapes. New chemical groups generated on film surfaces were monitored, and led to a higher limiting oxygen index because of strong catalytic oxidation, thus demonstrating the success of catalytic oxidative ageing by heat actuation. The underlying mechanism responsible for thermocatalytic oxidative pattern is also discussed. Accordingly, these findings may have important implications for better understanding the development of polymeric-matrix waste disposal.

The treatment of organic dyes is often conducted using the photocatalytic technique, however, the necessity for ultraviolet irradiation and efficient degradation still limit its wide practical application. Here, we report on a facile and effective co-precipitation hydrothermal method for fabricating Ag3PO4/α-Bi2O3 (AB) hierarchical heterostructures with an improved visible-light response. Rod-like α-Bi2O3 was firstly prepared under hydrothermal conditions, and then silver nitrate and disodium hydrogen phosphate were successively added to form AB. The measurement results signify that heterojunctions of polyhedral Ag3PO4 adhered to rod-like α-Bi2O3 were apparently found. AB possesses a markedly enhanced photocatalytic performance and outstanding ability in decomposing methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light, compared to pure α-Bi2O3 or Ag3PO4. The amount of silver ions released reveals that the formation of α-Bi2O3 could enhance the stability of the AB composites. The fluorescence tests indicate that AB is helpful in producing the ˙OH radicals responsible for enhanced photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate could be maintained even after three degradation cycles, suggesting an admirable chemical and physical stability of AB. In addition, a possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic properties of AB was also discussed.

The coatings of microorganism-induced calcium carbonate onto the stone surface carried out by using both of the immersion method and coating method were investigated. Various analysis and testing techniques such as scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the deposited mineral layer. The adhesive property, acid resistance, frost resistance, light and aging resistance, water adsorption and permeability were investigated in detail. The results showed that both immersion method and coating method could produce calcium carbonate granules with sizes ranging from 1 to 10 μm and form a layer of dense mineralization membrane which is about 50 to 100 μm thick. Immersion method was more efficient than coating method. The large cohesive force between calcium carbonate layer and stone materials could improve the acid rain resistance as well as excellent heat tolerance, frost resistance and light aging resistance. The coating process could not only help the stone materials maintain its original permeability with the aid of calcium carbonate layers but also improve the penetration resistance significantly. Therefore, this type of technology shows a great potential in the protection of stone relics.

A novel thermal catalyst in response to heat excitation was first synthesized and then added into low density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix to prepare corresponding films. The thermocatalytic degradation of LDPE/thermal catalyst (LEPDET) film was investigated under artificial ageing conditions. The changes in the films were evaluated by measuring the surface morphology, average molecular weight, crystallization capacity, chemical group, contact angle, and mechanical property. The results obtained show that the surface of as-prepared film was seriously destroyed because of the thermocatalytic reactions at 40 °C in darkness. A rapid decreasing tendency of the average molecular weight was clearly monitored, simultaneously, the crystallization capacity decreased significantly. The presence of carbonyl groups was observed during degradation process, and the above-mentioned groups were also detected mediately in contact angle view. Additionally, on the basis of the above-mentioned evidences, a possible mechanism for the thermoctalytic degradation was also established in detail. Thus, the effectiveness of thermocatalytic route has been successfully demonstrated by heat excitation at near room-temperature. It is hoped that our study may develop an alternative method for the disposal of polymeric film in the future.

•Thermocatalytic degradation reaction at near room temperature was demonstrated.•NiCoMnO4 was confirmed to be high-efficiency thermocatalyst.•The optimal removal efficiency was up to 92.3%.•A new probable thermocatalytic degradation mechanism was proposed.A novel NiCoMnO4 composite thermocatalyst was prepared through a simple chemical co-precipitation method and used for low-temperature catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Experiments show that the thermocatalytic activity of NiCoMnO4 complex oxide is excellent and it can lead to acute thermal degradation of methylene blue. The conjugated structure and phenyl rings of the methylene blue molecule were destroyed or even broken down into small pieces. Sintering temperature and reaction temperature are found to have significant effects on the thermocatalytic activity. NiCoMnO4 calcined at 700 °C, reaction temperature at 50 °C, the total methylene blue removal ratio arrives at 75.9% with the powders dosage 375 mg/L after 10 h and 92.3% after 40 h. And the degradation efficiency could achieve higher with the further increase of reaction time.

Mid-to-high molecular weight konjac glucomannan (MHKGM) powders with different molecular weights were prepared and purified from their enzymatic hydrolysis solutions. MHKGM powder yield was optimized with respect to substrate concentration, urea concentration, the number of alcohol washings, and drying temperature. Properties of MHKGM powder were characterized by SEC, FTIR, UV, XRD, rheological, and thermal analysis techniques. The results showed that under the correct conditions a high productive yield of MHKGM can be obtained. MHKGMs have the same chemical structure as that of native KGM, but their weight average molecular weight (Mw), molecular weight distribution index (Mw/Mn), radius of gyration (Rg), solution optical clarity, rheological properties, and other physical properties such as water solubility are very different from those of native KGM. This study provides useful a reference for making MHKGM powder with varying molecular weight and the potential applications of KGM such as healthy food additives.

•Synthesis of heat-sensitive S/BiOCl catalyst by one-step method for the first time.•Thermocatalytic degradation using room-temperature excitation was demonstrated.•Results suggest that the surface morphology was firstly deteriorated.A novel S/BiOCl thermocatalyst in response to heat excitation was successfully synthesized by a one-step method and then added into polymeric matrix to give corresponding films. The results obtained show that the surfaces of as-prepared films with S/BiOCl were truly degraded via thermocatalytic reactions at ambient conditions. The average molecular weights of experimental films have fallen dramatically, comparing to the comparisons. In addition, the changes of chemical groups were simultaneously observed in the process. Thus this thermocatalytic process maybe a very fascinating route to come true the degradation of polymeric films with lower temperature triggered.Thermocatalytic degradation of polymeric films responding to heat stimulus under room temperature is reported. The mechanism in regard to the deteriorations of polymeric films is also proposed in detail.Download full-size image

•A small heat shock protein, HSP25.4, was identified from A. pernyi.•The transcript level of Ap-sHSP25.4 was up-regulated with NPV infection.•Eicosanoids mediated Ap-sHSP25.4 gene expression upon NPV injection in a dose dependent manner.Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) is one group of Baculoviruses. The infection of NPV in silkworm is often lethal. To investigate the effective measures to stop the infection of NPV, we cloned cDNA encoding small heat shock protein 25.4 in Antheraea pernyi (Ap-HSP25.4). The translated amino acid sequence consisted of 223 residues with a calculated molecular mass of 25.4 kDa and an isoelectronic point (pI) of 4.93. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to investigate the expression patterns and distribution profiles of Ap-sHSP25.4 before and after challenged with NPV. We found that the inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis could suppress the transcription of Ap-sHSP25.4 in the fat body in a dose dependent manner. And arachidonic acid induced the expression of Ap-sHSP25.4. Thus, we concluded that sHSPs may be promising candidates to boost insect immunity in practice.

The waste treatment of polymer materials is often conducted using the photocatalytic technique; however, complete decomposition is frequently inhibited owing to several shortcomings such as low quantum yield and the requirement of ultraviolet irradiation. Herein, we report a strategy to implement moderate management of polymeric films via thermocatalytic oxidative route, which is responsive to heat stimulus. Diverse LDPE-matrix films together with as-prepared thermal catalysts (TCs) or initiators were synthesized to further investigate heat-dependent-catalytic degradation effects. After artificial ageing, structural textures of the as-synthesized films could be chemically deteriorated, followed by a huge increase in surface roughness values, and appreciable loss was also found in the average molecular weights and mechanical parameters. We found an emergent phenomenon in which crystallization closely resembled two-dimensional (2D) growth, which displayed rod-like or disc-type crystal shapes. New chemical groups generated on film surfaces were monitored, and led to a higher limiting oxygen index because of strong catalytic oxidation, thus demonstrating the success of catalytic oxidative ageing by heat actuation. The underlying mechanism responsible for thermocatalytic oxidative pattern is also discussed. Accordingly, these findings may have important implications for better understanding the development of polymeric-matrix waste disposal.