Construction of vesicle CdSe nano-semiconductors photocatalysts with improved photocatalytic activity: Enhanced photo induced carriers separation efficiency and mechanism insight

Visible-light-driven photocatalysis as a green technology has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential applications in environmental remediation. Vesicle Cd Se nano-semiconductor photocatalyst are successfully prepared by a gas template method and characterized by a variety of methods. The vesicle Cd Se nano-semiconductors display enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride, the photodegradation rate of78.824% was achieved by vesicle Cd Se, which exhibited an increase of 31.779% compared to granular Cd Se. Such an exceptional photocatalytic capability can be attributed to the unique structure of the vesicle Cd Se nano-semiconductor with enhanced light absorption ability and excellent carrier transport capability. Meanwhile, the large surface area of the vesicle Cd Se nano-semiconductor can increase the contact probability between catalyst and target and provide more surface-active centers. The photocatalytic mechanisms are analyzed by active species quenching. It indicates that h+and UO_2~-are the main active species which play a major role in catalyzing environmental toxic pollutants. Simultaneously, the vesicle Cd Se nano-semiconductor had high efficiency and stability.     

Lead deposited in the cell wall of Funaria hygrometrica protonemata is not stable - A remobilization can occur

The hypothesis that lead (Pb) can be uptake or remobilized from the cell wall (CW) by internalization withlow-esterified pectins (up to 40% - JIM5-P), was studied in tip-growing apical cell of Funaria hygrometrica protonemata. Treatment 4 h with 1 mM PbCl₂ caused marked vesicular traffic intensification and the common internalization of JIM5-P from the CW. Lead bound to JIM5-P was internalized from the CW, together with this compound and entered the protoplast. It showed that Pb deposited in CW is not as safe for plant cell as previously believed.However, pulse-chase experiments (recovering 4 h and 24 h) indicated that CW and its thickenings can function as the final sequestration compartments. In Pb deposition sites, a callose layer occurred. It was localized from the protoplast site, next to Pb deposits separating sequestrated to CW and its thickenings Pb from plasma membrane almost certainly protecting the plant cell from its returning into the protoplast.