Volatility Parameterization of Ambient Organic Aerosols at a rural site of the Northern China Plain

The volatility of organic aerosols plays a key role in determining their gas-particle partitioning, which subsequently alters the physicochemical properties and atmospheric fates of aerosol particles. Nevertheless, an accurate estimation of the volatility of organic aerosols (OA) remains challenging. Because most standard particulate organic compounds are scarce, on the other hand, their vapor pressures are too low to estimate by most traditional methods. Here, we deployed an iodide-adduct Long Time-of-Flight Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (LToF-CIMS) coupled with a Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO) to probe the relationship between the molecular formulas of atmospheric organic aerosol’s components and their volatilities. A number of Tmax (i.e., the temperature corresponding to the first signal peak of thermogram) were abstracted and validated from the desorption thermograms of mixed organic and inorganic calibrants which were atomized and then collected onto a Teflon filter. Besides, 30 filter samples of ambient air were collected in winter 2019 at Wangdu station in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and analyzed by FIGAERO-LToF-CIMS, leading to the identification of 1,448 compounds dominated by the CHO (containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms) and CHON (containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms) species. Among them, 181 organic formulas including 91 CHO and 90 CHON compounds were then selected since their thermograms can be characterized with clear Tmax values in more than 20 out of 30 filter samples and subsequently divided into two groups according to their O / C ratios. The mean O / C of these two groups are 0.56 ± 0.35 (average ± one standard deviation) and 0.18 ± 0.08, respectively. We then obtained the correlation functions between volatility and elemental composition for the two group compounds. Compared with previous volatility parameterizations, our correlation functions provide a better estimation of the volatility of semi-volatility organic compounds (SVOCs) and low-volatility organic compounds (LVOCs) in the ambient organic aerosols. Furthermore, we suggest that there should be specialized volatility parameterizations for different O / C organic compounds.

Using Si/MoS2 Core-Shell Nanopillar Arrays Enhances SERS Signal

Two-dimensional layered material Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibits a flat surface without dangling bonds and is expected to be a suitable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for the detection of organic molecules. However, further fabrication of nanostructures for enhancement of SERS is necessary because of the low detection efficiency of MoS2. In this paper, period-distribution Si/MoS2 core/shell nanopillar (NP) arrays were fabricated for SERS. The MoS2 thin films were formed on the surface of Si NPs by sulfurizing the MoO3 thin films coated on the Si NP arrays. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to characterize Si/MoS2 core-shell nanostructure. In comparison with a bare Si substrate and MoS2 thin film, the use of Si/MoS2 core-shell NP arrays as SERS substrates enhances the intensity of each SERS signal peak for Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules, and especially exhibits about 75-fold and 7-fold enhancements in the 1361 cm−1 peak signal, respectively. We suggest that the Si/MoS2 core-shell NP arrays with larger area could absorb more R6G molecules and provide larger interfaces between MoS2 and R6G molecules, leading to higher opportunity of charge transfer process and exciton transitions. Therefore, the Si/MoS2 core/shell NP arrays could effectively enhance SERS signal and serve as excellent SERS substrates in biomedical detection.

Development of Cryogenic Detectors for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Searches with CUORE and CUPID

Searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is a top priority in particle and astroparticle physics, being the most sensitive test of lepton number violation and the only suitable process to probe the Majorana nature of neutrinos. In order to increase the experimental sensitivity for this particular search, ton-scale detectors operated at nearly zero-background conditions with a low keV energy resolution at the expected signal peak are required. In this scenario, cryogenic detectors have been proven effective in addressing many of these issues simultaneously. After long technical developments, the Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) experiment established the possibility to operate large-scale detectors based on this technology. Parallel studies pointed out that scintillating cryogenic detectors represent a suitable upgrade for the CUORE design, directed towards higher sensitivities. In this work, we review the recent development of cryogenic detectors, starting from the state-of-the-art and outlying the path toward next-generation experiments.

Preparation of anisole in phenol by Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst from walnut shell catalyzed liquefaction

The promotional effect of Zn was investigated relative to the calcining activation of HZSM-5. It was found that the lignin separated from walnut shell could be liquefied into small molecular ethers such as anisole by the promotional effect of the modified catalyst. Experimental results showed that, after the loading of Zn, the HZSM-5 catalyst retained its original crystal structure, which exhibited good metal dispersion. Besides, due to the existence of two interactions respectively of Zn with Al and Zn with a Brønsted-Lowry acid on the Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst surface, the remaining catalyst intergranular distance increased, particularly for the 2% Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst. The inside of the catalyst was in a state of spherical particle aggregation with a narrow pore size distribution and uniform particle size. The peak intensity of the Si-O stretching vibration was affected by the content of Zn, which was least affected for the 2% Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst. The signal peak of this small molecule ether was not found in the absence of the metal ions, and the catalytic effect of 2% Zn/HZSM-5 was more distinct. Calculated by the mass difference method, the yield of the liquid via the 2% Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst was 59.8%, including phenol and small molecule ethers represented by anisole.

A Natural Triglyceride from the Methanol Root Extract of Cyphostemma Adenocaule (Steud. Ex A. Rich.) Wild & R.B.Drumm

<p><i>Cyphostemma adenocaule </i>(Steud. ex A. Rich.) is one of the specie plant that belongs to the family vitacea. In this study, Trilinolein was isolated and characterized from the methanol root extract of the plant. Column chromatography over silica gel granules as the stationary phase and eluted with a mobile phase mixture of n-Hex-EtA; EtA-CHCL3 and CHCL₃-MeOH with gradient increasing polarity, followed by a second column using saphadex-LH20 and 100% MeOH as stationary and mobile phase vehicle respectively. TLC was developed with EtA 15: CHCL38: MeOH 4: H₂O 1 as solvent system; sprayed with 10% H₂SO₄,Vanillin-sulphuric acid, and/ or Polyethylene glycol PEG and heat for spot detection and confirmation of bioactive principles. Compound CA1 was obtained and purified with CHCL3 to give a yellow semi-solid compound (0.23g). The ¹H-NMR spectra showed 9 different signals; a signal peak of a glycerol (-C<b>H₂</b>OCOR-) moiety on the first α-C chain and on the third αʹ-C at 4.143-4.187ppm and 4.296-4.325ppm respectively, while that of a β glycerol (-C<b>H</b>COR-) at 5.286ppm. Signals of an allylic methylene group at 2.023-2.035ppm, Olefenic hydrogen group at signal peak of 5.362ppm and a diallylic methylene group at signal 2.790ppm were also observed. In the ¹³C NMR spectra of compound CA1, 57 carbon atoms where observed, multiple signals overlapping at a range of 14.13-34.21ppm corresponding to the aliphatic CH3 (<b>C18</b>), CH2 (<b>C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C15, C16, and C17</b>) and allylic (<b>C8, C14</b>) carbon atoms. Signals at 127.90-130.24ppm were assigned to the olefienic C atoms (<b>C9, C10, C12</b>, and <b>C13</b>) while signal of 172.87ppm and 173.32ppm were assigned to the carbonyl (<b>C</b>=O) carbon atoms (<b>C1 </b>and<b> C2</b>) respectively (Table 2). </p> <p>Analysis with DEPT-135, H-H COSY, HMBC and HSQC assignments of CA1 augments assignment of signals made for CA1 from ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR and corresponded to that of Trilinolein <u>(<a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/#query=C57H98O6">C₅₇H₉₈O₆</a>, </u>MW 879.4 g/mol). The isolated compound was positive for the acrolein test for triglycerides; fat & oil and had an IC₅₀ of 46.08µg/ml radical scavenging activity.</p>

A Natural Triglyceride from the Methanol Root Extract of Cyphostemma Adenocaule (Steud. Ex A. Rich.) Wild & R.B.Drumm

<p><i>Cyphostemma adenocaule </i>(Steud. ex A. Rich.) is one of the specie plant that belongs to the family vitacea. In this study, Trilinolein was isolated and characterized from the methanol root extract of the plant. Column chromatography over silica gel granules as the stationary phase and eluted with a mobile phase mixture of n-Hex-EtA; EtA-CHCL3 and CHCL₃-MeOH with gradient increasing polarity, followed by a second column using saphadex-LH20 and 100% MeOH as stationary and mobile phase vehicle respectively. TLC was developed with EtA 15: CHCL38: MeOH 4: H₂O 1 as solvent system; sprayed with 10% H₂SO₄,Vanillin-sulphuric acid, and/ or Polyethylene glycol PEG and heat for spot detection and confirmation of bioactive principles. Compound CA1 was obtained and purified with CHCL3 to give a yellow semi-solid compound (0.23g). The ¹H-NMR spectra showed 9 different signals; a signal peak of a glycerol (-C<b>H₂</b>OCOR-) moiety on the first α-C chain and on the third αʹ-C at 4.143-4.187ppm and 4.296-4.325ppm respectively, while that of a β glycerol (-C<b>H</b>COR-) at 5.286ppm. Signals of an allylic methylene group at 2.023-2.035ppm, Olefenic hydrogen group at signal peak of 5.362ppm and a diallylic methylene group at signal 2.790ppm were also observed. In the ¹³C NMR spectra of compound CA1, 57 carbon atoms where observed, multiple signals overlapping at a range of 14.13-34.21ppm corresponding to the aliphatic CH3 (<b>C18</b>), CH2 (<b>C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C15, C16, and C17</b>) and allylic (<b>C8, C14</b>) carbon atoms. Signals at 127.90-130.24ppm were assigned to the olefienic C atoms (<b>C9, C10, C12</b>, and <b>C13</b>) while signal of 172.87ppm and 173.32ppm were assigned to the carbonyl (<b>C</b>=O) carbon atoms (<b>C1 </b>and<b> C2</b>) respectively (Table 2). </p> <p>Analysis with DEPT-135, H-H COSY, HMBC and HSQC assignments of CA1 augments assignment of signals made for CA1 from ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR and corresponded to that of Trilinolein <u>(<a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/#query=C57H98O6">C₅₇H₉₈O₆</a>, </u>MW 879.4 g/mol). The isolated compound was positive for the acrolein test for triglycerides; fat & oil and had an IC₅₀ of 46.08µg/ml radical scavenging activity.</p>