Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energydispersive X-ray spectrometry for quick detection of sulfuroxidizing bacteria in environmental water samples

Detection of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria has largely been dependent on targeted gene sequencing technology or traditional cell cultivation, which usually takes from days to months to carry out. This clearly does not meet the requirements of analysis for time-sensitive samples and/or complicated environmental samples. Since energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS) can be used to simultaneously detect multiple elements in a sample, including sulfur, with minimal sample treatment, this technology was applied to detect sulfur-oxidizing bacteria using their high sulfur content within the cell. This article describes the application of scanning electron microscopy imaging coupled with EDS mapping for quick detection of sulfur oxidizers in contaminated environmental water samples, with minimal sample handling. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed the existence of dense granules within the bacterial cells, while EDS identified large amounts of sulfur within them. EDS mapping localized the sulfur to these granules. Subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacteria detected in our samples belonged to the genus Chromatium, which are sulfur oxidizers. Thus, EDS mapping made it possible to identify sulfur oxidizers in environmental samples based on localized sulfur within their cells, within a short time(within 24 h of sampling). This technique has wide ranging applications for detection of sulfur bacteria in environmental water samples.

Visualization of atomic scale reaction dynamics of supported nanocatalysts during oxidation and ammonia synthesis using in-situ environmental(scanning) transmission electron microscopy

Reaction dynamics in gases at operating temperatures at the atomic level are the basis of heterogeneous gas-solid catalyst reactions and are crucial to the catalyst function.Supported noble metal nanocatalysts such as platinum are of interest in fuel cells and as diesel oxidation catalysts for pollution control,and practical ruthenium nanocatalysts are explored for ammonia synthesis.Graphite and graphitic carbons are of interest as supports for the nanocatalysts.Despite considerable literature on the catalytic processes on graphite and graphitic supports,reaction dynamics of the nanocatalysts on the supports in different reactive gas environments and operating temperatures at the single atom level are not well understood.Here we present real time in-situ observations and analyses of reaction dynamics of Pt in oxidation,and practical Ru nanocatalysts in ammonia synthesis,on graphite and related supports under controlled reaction environments using a novel in-situ environmental(scanning) transmission electron microscope with single atom resolution.By recording snapshots of the reaction dynamics,the behaviour of the catalysts is imaged.The images reveal single metal atoms,clusters of a few atoms on the graphitic supports and the support function.These all play key roles in the mobility,sintering and growth of the catalysts.The experimental findings provide new structural insights into atomic scale reaction dynamics,morphology and stability of the nanocatalysts.

Morphology of single inhalable particle inside public transit biodiesel fueled bus

In an urban-transit bus, fueled by biodiesel in Toledo, Ohio, single inhalable particle samples in October 2008 were collected and detected by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry （SEM/EDS）. Particle size analysis found bimodal distribution at 0.2 and 0.5 μm. The particle morphology was characterized by 14 different shape clusters： square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, agglomerate, sphere, triangle, oblong, strip, line or stick, and unknown, by quantitative order. The square particles were common in the samples. Round and triangle particles are more, and pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, strip, line or sticks are less. Agglomerate particles were found in abundance. The surface of most particles was coarse with a fractal edge that can provide a suitable chemical reaction bed in the polluted atmospheric environment. The three sorts of surface patterns of squares were smooth, semi-smooth, and coarse. The three sorts of square surface patterns represented the morphological characteristics of single inhalable particles in the air inside the bus in Toledo. The size and shape distribution results were compared to those obtained for a bus using ultra low sulfur diesel.

Visualizing the importance of oxide-metal phase transitions in the production of synthesis gas over Ni catalysts

Synthesis gas, composed of H2 and CO, is an important fuel which serves as feedstock for industrially relevant processes, such as methanol or ammonia synthesis. The efficiency of these reactions depends on the H2: CO ratio, which can be controlled by a careful choice of reactants and catalyst surface chemistry.Here, using a combination of environmental scanning electron microscopy(ESEM) and online mass spectrometry, direct visualization of the surface chemistry of a Ni catalyst during the production of synthesis gas was achieved for the first time. The insertion of a homebuilt quartz tube reactor in the modified ESEM chamber was key to success of the setup. The nature of chemical dynamics was revealed in the form of reversible oxide-metal phase transitions and surface transformations which occurred on the performing catalyst. The oxide-metal phase transitions were found to control the production of synthesis gas in the temperature regime between 700 and 900 ℃ in an atmosphere relevant for dry reforming of methane(DRM, CO2: CH4=0.75). This was confirmed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, electron energy loss spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and C18O2 labelled experiments.Our dedicated operando approach of simultaneously studying the surface processes of a catalyst and its activity allowed to uncover how phase transitions can steer catalytic reactions.

Role of trichome of Pteris vittata L.in arsenic hyperaccu-mulation

Environmental scanning electron microscope(ESEM)fitted with an energy disper-sive X-ray microanalyzer(EDX)was used to investigate the surface micromorphology and arse-nic(As)micro-distribution in Chinese brake(Pteris vittata L.).It was found that amounts of trichome,which possessed multicellular structure with the average length of 160μm and with an average diameter of 28μm,existed in the frond of P.vittata,and the density of trichome on the pinnate axial surface was higher than that on the petiole.Visible X-ray peak of As was recorded in the epidermal cell and trichome.The relative weight of As in the pinnate trichome,which con-tained the highest concentration of As among all tissues of the plant,was 2.4 and 3.9 times as much as that in the epidermal and mesophyllous cells,respectively.The As concentrations in the basal and stalk cells of the same trichome were higher than that in its cap cell.This is the first time to report that the trichome of P.vittata plays an important role in arsenic hyperaccumulation.The finding from the present study implies that much attention should be paid to the role of the trichome in understanding the hyperaccumulation and detoxicity of As in the hyperaccumulator and improving the ability of As accumulation.

Microscopic Observations of the Lotus Leaf for Explaining the Outstanding Mechanical Properties

The leaf of lotus （Nelumbo nucifera） exhibits exceptional ability to maintain the opening status even under adverse weather conditions, but the mechanism behind this phenomenon is less investigated. In this paper, lotus leaves were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscopy in order to illustrate this mechanism. The macro-observations show that the primary veins are oriented symmetrically from leaf center and then develop into fractal distribution, with net-shaped arrangement of the side veins. Further micro-observations show that all the veins are composed of honeycomb micro-tubes viewed from cross section, the inner of micro-tubes are patterned with extended closed-hexagons from vertical section. Different positions of leaf possess diverse mechanical properties by size variation of diameter and inner hexagons of veins, which is theoretically analyzed by building a regular honeycomb model. Specifically, the central area of lotus tends to be stiffer while its margin be softer. These special distribution and composition of the veins mainly account for the distinct behavior of lotus.

Triptolide-loaded microemulsion-based hydrogels: physical properties and percutaneous permeability

Triptolide is a diterpenoid compound that inhibits the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However,the use of triptolide is limited due to its strong gastrointestinal toxicity.The purpose of this work was to develop a transdermal delivery system for triptolide to reduce this toxicity.A microemulsion-based hydrogel(MBH)was prepared from the combination of Gemseal 40-oleic acid as oil phase,Tween 80-labrasol as surfactant,anhydrous ethanol as co-surfactant,water as aqueous phase and Poloxamer 407 as hydrogel matrix.Rheological measurements,environmental scanning electron microscopy(ESEM)and transdermal experiments in vitro were used to characterize triptolide-loaded and blank MBH preparations.The effects of Poloxamer 407 and triptolide on the rheological properties and microstructures of the MBH were determined.Transparent and homogeneous MBH could only be formed when the concentration of Poloxamer 407 in the selected O/W microemulsion was in the range of 14.0–16.0%(w/w).When the concentration of Poloxamer 407 increased,the rheological properties such as the yield stresses(sy),storage and loss moduli(G′,G″)of the formulations increased,and the network structures became more compact.The addition of triptolide did not change the interconnected network structures of the MBH preparations.MBH preparations afford a better sustained release profile when compared to microemulsions,a finding confirmed by an in vitro permeation test in mice.MBH appears to be a promising vehicle for transdermal delivery of triptolide.

Increased chemical reactivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes on oxide substrates： In situ imaging and effect of electron and laser irradiations

We studied the oxygen etching of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes on silicon oxide substrates using atomic force microscopy and high-temperature environmental scanning electron microscopy. Our in situ observations show that carbon nanotubes are not progressively etched from their ends, as frequently assumed, but disappear segment by segment. Atomic force microscopy, before and after oxidation, reveals that the oxidation of carbon nanotubes on substrates proceeds through a local cutting that is followed by a rapid etching of the disconnected nanotube segment. Unexpectedly, semiconducting nanotubes appear more reactive under these conditions than metallic ones. We also show that exposure to electron and laser beams locally increases the chemical reactivity of carbon nanotubes on such substrates. These results are rationalized by considering the effect of substrate-trapped charges on the nanotube density of states close to the Fermi level, which is impacted by the substrate type and the exposure to electron and laser beams.

Microstructure and Element Composition of Shell Plates of Liolophura japonica

The microstructure characteristics of shell plates of chiton Liolophura japonica Lischke were analyzed using environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）. The results show that the internal structure of the shell plate of chiton Liolophurajaponica is composed of seven calcium layers which were crossed lamellar crystallites, homoge- neous structure, granular crystallites, and trabecular type crystallites. The element compositions of shell plates were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The results determined by XPS show that the surface chemical states of various layers are different. There are 13 elements （Na, O, N, C, S, P, Ca, C1, Si, A1, K, Fe, Mg） on the shell plate of chiton L. japonica. Among the 13 elements, 11 are on the outside pigment layer except K and S. Among seven layers of shell plate, there is the largest quantity of elements on the outside pigment layer, and the least quantity of elements is on layer C （Articulamentum auctorum）. There are 7 elements on the layer C （Articulamentum auctorum）. Be- sides calcium carbonate, there are some inorganic compounds on the shell plate, such as NaC1, MgO, A1203, silicate, sulfate and phosphate. There are some organic chemical components, such as carbohydrate, organic sulfide, and organic nitride on the shell plates.