Sodium lanthanide tungstate-based nanoparticles as bimodal contrast agents for in vivo high-field MRI and CT imaging

Research on high-field magnetic resonance imaging (HF-MRI) has been increased in recent years, aiming to improve diagnosis accuracy by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and hence image quality. Conventional contrast agents (CAs) have important limitations for HF-MRI, with the consequent need for the development of new CAs. Among them, the most promising alternatives are those based…

FGD-Gypsum Waste to Capture CO2 and to Recycle in Building Materials: Optimal Reaction Yield and Preliminary Mechanical Properties

The use of waste to capture CO2 has been on the rise, to reduce costs and to improve the environmental footprint. Here, a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum waste is proposed, which allows us to obtain a CaCO3-based solid, which should be recycled. The CO2 capture stage has primarily been carried out via the direct carbonation method…

Levofloxacin Degradation, Antimicrobial Activity Decrease, and Potential for Water Disinfection Using Peroxydisulfate Activation by Ag/TiO2 under Sunlight

Water quality and usability are global concerns due to microbial and chemical pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, strategies for eliminating contaminants are required. In this context, the removal and decrease in antibiotic activity (AA) associated with levofloxacin (LEV), using TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 catalysts, with and without sunlight and peroxydisulfate, was evaluated. Additionally, the disinfection capacity of…

BN nanosheets reinforced zirconia composites: An in-depth microstructural and mechanical study

This paper deals with the effect of hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) incorporation on the microstructural and mechanical features of zirconia ceramics. Few-layered BNNS were synthesized via a simple hydroxide-assisted planetary ball milling exfoliation technique. 3 mol% yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) with 2.5 vol% BNNS powders were prepared by an environmentally friendly process in…

Integrating catalytic tandem reactions for the next of biofuels: A perspective

In this piece, we explore the transformative potential of sustainable biofuel production as a solution to the energy crisis and a pivotal element in realizing the environmental and societal ambitions of Society 5.0. Through a critical examination of «bottom-up»and «topdown»strategies for converting bio-feedstocks sourced from anthropogenic activities into renewable fuels, the work underscores the need…

Effect of the interaction between basicity and reductive character of melting atmosphere – both extreme – on the oxidation and coordination states assumed by transition metals when doped to silicate glasses

The influence of an extremely reductive melting atmosphere on the oxidation and coordination states adopted by transition metals in an ultrabasic host was evaluated. An invert glass (46SiO(2)center dot 11Na(2)O center dot 21CaO center dot 22BaO, basicity = 0.71) was synthesized in container-less conditions, on a jet of Ar 5%H-2. Performed measurements included optical absorption,…

Trap Depth Distribution Determines Afterglow Kinetics: A Local Model Applied to ZnGa2O4:Cr3+

Persistent luminescence materials have applications in diverse fields such as smart signaling, anticounterfeiting, and in vivo imaging. However, the lack of a thorough understanding of the precise mechanisms that govern persistent luminescence makes it difficult to develop ways to optimize it. Here we present an accurate model to describe the various processes that determine persistent…