https://phys.org/chemistry-news/ en-us The latest news stories on chemistry, biochemistry, polymers, materials science from Phys.org A study on the photocatalytic nonoxidative coupling of methane to ethylene over carbon-doped ZnO/Au catalysts was published by Prof. Wei Xiao (College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University) and Dr. Yuhao Peng (College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University). https://phys.org/news/2024-03-photocatalytic-nonoxidative-coupling-methane-ethylene.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:33:02 EST news628965181 Surface coatings have long been essential in various industries, offering protection and functionality. In recent years, liquid-infused surfaces (LIS) have emerged as a groundbreaking technology, revolutionizing how we approach surface coatings. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-multi-component-liquid-infused-surfaces.html Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:40:04 EST news628962002 Although mankind has been using paper for at least 2,000 years, it still presents us with one or two mysteries. For example, it was previously unknown why paper printed on one side using inkjet printing starts to curl up after a few hours to days, even if it was flat after printing and drying. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-mystery-paper.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:46:03 EST news628958762 Collaborative research that combined experiments at Yale University and molecular dynamics simulations at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides new insights into solving a major technical obstacle to efficient and sustainable industrial operations. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-scientists-reveal-molecular-mysteries-silica.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:28:36 EST news628950514 A team of chemists led by Prof. Albert Heck puts a new spin on analyzing and understanding molecules. By ingeniously improving current measuring equipment, the team was able to trap and observe individual molecules for a much longer period—up to 25 seconds. This extended observation time enabled them to see the finer details of molecules, enhancing their understanding. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-chemists-barriers-super-resolution-molecule.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:20:03 EST news628950001 Scientists led by an Oregon State University chemistry researcher are closing in on a new tool for tackling the global problem of weedkiller-tainted groundwater. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-metal-framework-key-advance-pesticide.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:59:03 EST news628945141 National University of Singapore (NUS) chemists have solved a longstanding challenge in the synthesis of congested C(sp3)-rich molecules by developing a new iron-catalyzed reaction that generates two alkyl-alkyl bonds in crowded environments. The work is published in Nature Catalysis. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-earth-abundant-iron-catalysis-enables.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:12:39 EST news628942356 Porous solids are abundant in the world. Examples include activated carbon, zeolite, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Solid electrolytes in next-generation batteries have ion migration channels and hence are porous solids in a broad sense. Because the properties of porous solids are dictated by pore size, the way the pores are connected internally, and the chemical nature of the pore walls, achieving high degrees of freedom in designing these properties is crucial. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-3d-covalent-frameworks-tuned-isomers.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:08:09 EST news628942087 A living organism's nose is essentially a biological molecule detector that sends neurological signals to the brain, which then decodes a particular scent. Human noses, with six million olfactory receptors, can distinguish more than one trillion scents, while some canine noses possess up to 300 million receptors, which provide enhanced sensitivity in parts per trillion. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-team-small-scale-chemical-nose.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:16:03 EST news628874161 Boston College researchers used a mild charge of electricity to precisely modify proteins, a new tool that can be used to develop novel biotherapeutics and protein-based research tools, the team reported recently in the journal Nature Chemistry. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-electrocatalysis-site-specific-protein-modification.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:16:03 EST news628866961 A protocol designed by the University of Cordoba yields a simple and robust evaluation of the efficiency and durability of different commercial non-stick coatings used for food preparation https://phys.org/news/2024-03-technological-pans-teflon-effective-coatings.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:27:41 EST news628856859 Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial point sources to chemicals and fuels utilizing renewable energy can help to tackle the climate crisis. CO2 electrolysis is one promising route. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-strategy-boosts-electrolysis-dilute-carbon.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:27:26 EST news628856844 Chemical reactions are usually accompanied by thermal effects, inevitably resulting in temperature changes in the reaction system. Therefore, temperature is an important parameter in reactions, which can affect chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-technique-temperature-catalyst-particle.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:20:03 EST news628856402 The urgent need for advanced detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) to ensure global security has led to the development of a novel gas sensor. This sensor is distinguished by its rapid response, high sensitivity, and compact size, crucial for the early detection of CWAs. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-team-wireless-sensor-chemical-warfare.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:08:41 EST news628855719 A pair of chemists at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, has observed communication between rotors in a molecular motor. In their study, reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Carlijn van Beek and Ben Feringa conducted experiments with alkene-based molecular motors. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-communication-rotors-molecular-motor.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:00:01 EST news628854604 A research team consisting of NIMS and the Tokyo Institute of Technology has identified materials capable of catalyzing the conversion of ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen. These catalysts should be essential to the spread of mass-transportation/storage of liquid hydrogen. The research is published in the journal Exploration. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-materials-capable-catalyzing-conversion-ortho.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:41:03 EST news628854061 Inspired by amphibians such as the wood frog, investigators designed and synthesized a new type of camouflage skin involving one-dimensional photonic crystal structures assembled in three-dimensional flexible gels. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-amphibian-camouflage-skin.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:34:03 EST news628796042 Levofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic prescribed to treat pneumonia, bacterial rhinosinusitis, bacterial prostatitis, pyelonephritis, urinary tract infections, skin disorders, and skin structure infections, among other conditions. The drug is prevalent in aqueous environments owing to its low degradability in wastewater treatment plants and is therefore considered an emerging pollutant. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-material-degrades-widely-antibiotic-contaminates.html Biochemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:57:45 EST news628790263 Recently, a research team led by Prof. Ji Liang from Tianjin University, China, systematically introduced the research progress on the preparation of nitrate/nitrite by ammonia electro-oxidation reaction and proposed different strategies to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts by modulating their composition and structure to inhibit the side reactions and electrode corrosion in the electrocatalytic process, and finally proposes the opportunities and challenges faced by ammonia electrocatalysis as well as its development trend. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-metal-based-electrocatalysts-ammonia-electro.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:49:04 EST news628789742 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that spiders have a special trick to make their silk strong, by using a natural biocompatible molecular enhancer. By using the same secret the researchers are able to create biomimetic spider-silk fibers in a non-toxic way. The study is published in Advanced Functional Materials. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-ways-biomimetic-spider-silk.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:45:22 EST news628785921 Millions of people around the world drink coffee every day. The beverage contains a large number of bioactive substances, and its health effects on the human metabolism are therefore frequently subjects of scientific studies. In many of these studies, however, the data on coffee consumption is largely based on self-reporting by the participants and is therefore not always accurate. This can affect the scientific validity of nutritional studies. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-uncover-feasible-biomarker-coffee-consumption.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:45:19 EST news628785914 A Tohoku University research team has discovered that different thermal conductivities exhibited by an amorphous material with the same composition are attributable to the sizes of atomic rings in its atomic structure. This is one of the first studies demonstrating that the structural features of amorphous materials can be correlated with their physical properties. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-team-science-approach-thermal-factors.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:35:03 EST news628785302 Paclitaxel is the world's best-selling plant-based anticancer drug and one of the most effective anticancer drugs over the past 30 years. It is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-advance-taxol-biosynthesis-large-scale.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:51:41 EST news628775497 Researchers at University of Tsukuba have synthesized a helical, magnetically active conductive polymer with exceptionally high optical activity using cyclosporine A as a helix-inducing agent. This polymer exhibits distinct absorption of circularly polarized light, corresponding to the orientation of an applied magnetic field. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-successful-synthesis-helical-polymers-circular.html Polymers Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:50:43 EST news628775441 A team of biochemists at the University of Minnesota has discovered which two bacterial genes are responsible for producing proteins capable of breaking down metformin in sewer water. In their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group isolated genes likely to be involved in creating the target proteins. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-bacterial-genes-responsible-metformin-sewer.html Biochemistry Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:49:48 EST news628775381 In collaboration with researchers in the United States, China, and the Netherlands, Davidson School of Chemical Engineering's Dr. Zhenhua Zeng and Professor Jeffrey Greeley, have advanced catalysis research and catalyst design through their exploration of active sites. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-paradigm-shift-catalyst-site-categorization.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:22:03 EST news628773721 Research on biomolecular self-assembly helps to reveal cell function and disease pathogenesis, and also provides an effective means to construct green ecological material systems with unique functions. Recently, a team led by Prof. Yan Xuehai from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was invited to summarize its progress in peptide self-assembly (PSA) and multi-scale process mechanisms. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-disordered-multiscale-peptides.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:39:10 EST news628771148 Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is often used to remove chromium (VI), a heavy metal contaminant, because of its large specific surface area and high reducing activity. However, its effectiveness in removing trace heavy metals appears to be modest and sensitive to environmental pH. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nanocomposites-highly-efficient-hexavalent-chromium.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:53:51 EST news628768428 Bio-inspired materials (BIM) are synthetic materials whose structure and properties are similar to natural materials or living matter. These materials have the potential to advance structural materials, textiles and protective equipment due to their durability and self-healing properties. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-bio-materials-showcase-potential-equipment.html Materials Science Sat, 02 Mar 2024 09:02:57 EST news628592572 Until recently, chalcopyrite-based solar cells have achieved a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 23.35%, as reported in 2019 by Solar Frontier, a former Solar Energy company based in Japan. Further boosting this efficiency, however, has so far proved challenging. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-strategy-boost-efficiency-copper-indium.html Materials Science Sat, 02 Mar 2024 08:30:01 EST news628503723