In situ infrared, Raman and X-ray spectroscopy for the mechanistic understanding of hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen production by water reduction reactions has received considerable attention because hydrogen is considered a clean-energy carrier,key for a sustainable energy future.Computational methods have been widely used to study the reaction mechanism of the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),but the calculation results need to be supported by experimental results and direct evidence to confirm the mechanistic insights.In this review,we discuss the fundamental principles of the in situ spectroscopic strategy and a theoretical model for a mechanistic understanding of the HER.In addition,we investigate recent studies by in situ Fourier transform infrared(FTIR),Raman spectroscopy,and X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS) and cover new findings that occur at the catalyst-electrolyte interface during HER.These spectroscopic strategies provide practical ways to elucidate catalyst phase,reaction intermediate,catalyst-electrolyte interface,intermediate binding energy,metal valency state,and coordination environment during HER.

Application of near-infrared spectroscopy for fast germplasm analysis and classification in multi-environment using intact-seed peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut is a worldwide oilseed crop and the need to assess germplasm in a non-destructive manner is important for seed nutritional breeding.In this study,Near Infrared Spectroscopy(NIRS)was applied to rapidly assess germplasm variability from whole seed of 699 samples,field-collected and assembled in four genetic and environmentbased sets:one set of 300 varieties of a core-collection and three sets of 133 genotypes of an interspecific population,evaluated in three environments in a large spatial scale of two countries,Mbalmayo and Bafia in Cameroon and Nioro in Senegal,under rainfed conditions.NIR elemental spectra were gathered on six subsets of seeds of each sample,after three rotation scans,with a spectral resolution of 16 cm-1over the spectral range of867 nm to 2530 nm.Spectra were then processed by principal component analysis(PCA)coupled with Partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA).As results,a huge variability was found between varieties and genotypes for all NIR wavelength within and between environments.The magnitude of genetic variation was particularly observed at 11 relevant wavelengths such as 1723 nm,usually related to oil content and fatty acid composition.PCA yielded the most chemical attributes in three significant PCs(i.e.,eigenvalues>10),which together captured 93%of the total variation,revealing genetic and environment structure of varieties and genotypes into four clusters,corresponding to the four samples sets.The pattern of genetic variability of the interspecific population covers,remarkably half of spectrum of the core-collection,turning out to be the largest.Interestingly,a PLS-DA model was developed and a strong accuracy of 99.6%was achieved for the four sets,aiming to classify each seed sample according to environment origin.The confusion matrix achieved for the two sets of Bafia and Nioro showed 100%of instances classified correctly with 100%at both sensitivity and specificity,confirming that their seed quality was different from each other and all other samples.Overall,NIRS chemometrics is useful to assess and distinguish seeds from different environments and highlights the value of the interspecific population and core-collection,as a source of nutritional diversity,to support the breeding efforts.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Model-Based Prediction for Protein Content in Cowpea

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a multi-purpose legume with high quality protein for human consumption and livestock. The objective of this work was to develop near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) prediction models to estimate protein content in cowpea. A total of 116 cowpea breeding lines with a wide range of protein contents (19.28 % to 32.04%) were selected to build the model using whole seed and ground seed samples. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) regression technique with different pre-treatments (derivatives, standard normal variate, and multiplicative scatter correction) were carried out to develop the protein prediction model. Results showed: 1) spectral plots of both the whole seed and ground seed showed higher spectral scatter at higher wavelengths (>1450 nm), 2) data pre-processing affects prediction accuracy for bot whole seed and ground seed samples, 3) prediction using ground seed samples (0.64 R2 0.85) is better than the whole seed (0.33 R2 0.78), and 4) the data pre-processing second derivative with standard normal variate has the best prediction (R2_whole seed = 0.78, R2_ground seed = 0.85). The results will be of interest in cowpea breeding programs aimed at improving total seed protein content.

The evolving role of Fourier-transform midinfrared spectroscopy in genetic improvement of dairy cattle

Over the last 100 years,significant advances have been made in the characterisation of milk composition for dairy cattle improvement programs.Technological progress has enabled a shift from labour intensive,on-farm collection and processing of samples that assess yield and fat levels in milk,to large-scale processing of samples through centralised laboratories,with the scope extended to include quantification of other traits.Fourier-transform midinfrared(FT-MIR)spectroscopy has had a significant role in the transformation of milk composition phenotyping,with spectral-based predictions of major milk components already being widely used in milk payment and animal evaluation systems globally.Increasingly,there is interest in analysing the individual FT-MIR wavenumbers,and in utilising the FT-MIR data to predict other novel traits of importance to breeding programs.This includes traits related to the nutritional value of milk,the processability of milk into products such as cheese,and traits relevant to animal health and the environment.The ability to successfully incorporate these traits into breeding programs is dependent on the heritability of the FT-MIR predicted traits,and the genetic correlations between the FT-MIR predicted and actual trait values.Linking FT-MIR predicted traits to the underlying mutations responsible for their variation can be difficult because the phenotypic expression of these traits are a function of a diverse range of molecular and biological mechanisms that can obscure their genetic basis.The individual FT-MIR wavenumbers give insights into the chemical composition of milk and provide an additional layer of granularity that may assist with establishing causal links between the genome and observed phenotypes.Additionally,there are other molecular phenotypes such as those related to the metabolome,chromatin accessibility,and RNA editing that could improve our understanding of the underlying biological systems controlling traits of interest.Here we review topics of importance to phenotyping and genetic applications of FT-MIR spectra datasets,and discuss opportunities for consolidating FT-MIR datasets with other genomic and molecular data sources to improve future dairy cattle breeding programs.

Use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to rapidly diagnose gastric endoscopic biopsies

AIM: To determine if Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR)spectroscopy of endoscopic biopsies could accurately diagnose gastritis and malignancy.METHODS: A total of 123 gastroscopic samples, including 11 cases of cancerous tissues, 63 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis tissues, 47 cases of chronic superficial gastritis tissues and 2 cases of normal tissues, were obtained from the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. A modified attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory was linked to a WQD-500 FT-IR spectrometer for spectral measurement followed by submission of the samples for pathologic analysis. The spectral characteristics for different types of gastroscopic tissues were summarized and correlated with the corresponding pathologic results.RESULTS: Distinct differences were observed in the FTIR spectra of normal, atrophic gastritis, superficial gastritis and malignant gastric tissues. The sensitivity of FT-IR for detection of gastric cancer, chronic atrophic gastritis and superficial gastritis was 90.9%, 82.5%, 91.5%, and specificity was 97.3%, 91.7%, 89.5% respectively.CONCLUSION: FT-IR spectroscopy can distinguish gastric inflammation from malignancy.

Study on the Hydrogen Bond Interaction Between Soy Protein Isolate and Glycerol Using Two-Dimensional Correlation Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

A series of soy protein isolate(SPI)films plasticized by glycerol(Gly)were studied using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR/FTIR).Perturbation-correlation movingwindow two-dimensional(PCMW2D)and two-dimensional correlation(2DCOS)analyses were applied to the amideⅠband and thus the hydrogen bond interaction between SPI and Gly was systematically investigated.When Gly concentrations were in the range 0~35%,the hydrogen bond amongβ-sheets was replaced by the one between SPI chain and Gly molecule,which caused these protein chains being changed toα-helix.However,the transformation ofβ-sheet toα-helix was saturated and both of them tend to change to random coil when Gly concentrations were in the range 35%~60%.

Identification of active sites for hydrogenation over Ru/SBA-15 using in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

The active sites for hydrogenation over Ru/SBA‐15catalysts were identified using in situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy.The amount of active sites was proportional to the interfacial circumference of the Ru particles.In contrast,the rate of hydrogen spillover from Ru to the support was inversely proportional to the size of the Ru metal particles.Consequently,a catalyst with small Ru metal particles has a high rate of hydrogen spillover but a low density of active sites,whereas one with large Ru particles has a low rate of hydrogen spillover but a high density of active sites.The formation of these active sites is probably an intermediate step in hydrogen spillover.

Analysis of Protein Content in Panicum miliaceum L. Using Near Infrared Transmittance Spectroscopy

[Objective] To explore a method for the rapid determination of protein con- tent in grains of Panicum miliaceum L. [Method] The near infrared transmittance spec- troscopy （NITS） was used to build the mathematical models for the quantitative analy- sis of protein content in the grains. Four combinations of treatment that first derivative and second derivative were respectively combined with partial least squares （PLS） and modified partial least squares （MPLS） were set to compare their effects on the original transmission spectrum. [Result] The predicting effects of the 4 combinations were similar. The optimal combination was first derivative with MPLS, in which the average determination coefficient of validation （RSQ） was 0.880 6, correlation coeffi- cient of cross validation （1-VR） was 0.857 0, standard error of calibration （SEC） was 0.342 4, standard error of cross validation （SECV） was 0.375 1, and the standard er- ror of prediction （SEP） was 0.454. [Conclusion] The constructed NITS model is a rapid way for the determination of protein content in grains of P. miliaceum.

Determination of Melamine by Infrared Spectroscopy Based on Nonlinear Modeling

[Objective] The aim was to develop a nonlinear model of quantitative analysis of melamine content by infrared spectroscopy and provide theoretical basis for the nondestructive detection of melamine. [Method] According to dynamics,mathematical modeling and optimization theory,linear and nonlinear models were respectively set up by taking an absorption peak of 1 550 cm-1 as characteristic absorption peak. [Result] The correlation coefficient of nonlinear model was 0.922 7 and the recovery was 96%,which showed that the nonlinear model was more accurate than linearity model with correlation coefficient of 0.904 9 and recovery of 557%. [Conclusion] It is feasible to determine melamine content by using the nonlinear model quantitatively.

Study on Methanol Oxidation at Pt and PtRu Electrodes by Combining in situ Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

Methanol oxidation reaction （MOR） at Pt and Pt electrode surface deposited with various amounts of Ru （denoted as PtxRuy, nominal coverage y is 0.17, 0.27, and 0.44 ML） in 0.1 mol/L HClO4＋0.5 mol/L MeOH has been studied under potentiostatic conditions by in situ FTIR spectroscopy in attenuated-total-reflection con guration and di erential electro-chemical mass spectrometry under controlled flow conditions. Results reveal that （i） CO is the only methanol-related adsorbate observed by IR spectroscopy at all the Pt and PtRu electrodes examined at potentials from 0.3 V to 0.6 V （vs. RHE）; （ii） at Pt0.56Ru0.44, two IR bands, one from CO adsorbed at Ru islands and the other from COL at Pt substrate are detected, while at other electrodes, only a single band for COL adsorbed at Pt is observed; （iii） MOR activity decreases in the order of Pt0.73Ru0.27〉Pt0.56Ru0.44〉Pt0.83Ru0.17〉Pt; （iv） at 0.5 V, MOR at Pt0.73Ru0.27 reaches a current e ciency of 50% for CO2 production, the turn-over frequency from CH3OH to CO2 is ca. 0.1 molecule/（site sec）. Suggestions for further improving of PtRu catalysts for MOR are provided.

Detection of Broad Bean Diseases by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Curve Fitting

Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy was used to study diseased leaves in broad bean. Results showed that the infrared spectra of different broad bean diseased leaves were similar, which were mainly made up of the vibrational absorption bands of protein,lipid and polysaccharide.There were minor differences in-cluding the spectral peak position, peak shape and the absorption intensity in the range of 1 800-1 300 cm-1. There were obvious differences among their second derivative spectra in the range of 1 800-1 300 cm-1. After the procedure of the Fourier self-deconvolution and curve fitting of health bean leaves and broad bean diseased leaves in the range of 1 700-1 500 cm-1, three sub-peaks were obtained at 1 550 cm-1 （protein amide Ⅱ band）, 1 605 cm-1 （lignin） and 1 650 cm-1 （protein amide I band）.The ratios of relative areas of the bands of amide Ⅱ, lignin, and amide I were 38.86%, 28.68% and 32.47% in the spectra of healthy leaves, respec-tively. It was distinguished from the diseased leaves （chocolate spot leaf： 15.42%, 42.98% and 41.61%, ring spot leaf：32.39%, 35.63% and 31.98%, rust leaf： 13.97%, 46.40% and 39.65%, yel owing leaf curl disease leaf： 24.01%,36.55% and 39.44%）. For sub-peak area ratios （A1 563/A1 605, A1 650/A1 605 and A1 563/A1 654）, those of four kinds of diseased leaves were smal er than that of healthy leaves, and there were also differences among four kinds of diseased leaves. The results proved that FTIR combining with curve fitting might be a potential y useful tool for detecting different kinds of broad bean diseases.

Rapid Detection on Quinoa Fiber Based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy

[Objective] To explore a rapid determination method for fiber content in grains of quinoa. [Method] Near infrared spectra of 100 quinoa samples were collected. The predicted models for quantitative analysis of fiber contents in the grains were built using near infrared transmittance spectroscopy （NITS）. [Result] In the wavelength range of 10 000-4 000 cm-1, the near infrared quantitative model of quinoa crude fiber was set up via first derivative ＋ vector normalization preprocessing and combining with the data from chemical methods. The calibration and prediction effect were best, and then the cross validation determination coefficient （FFcv） and external validation determination coefficient （FFval） of fiber by near in- frared quantitative model were 0.884 8 and 0.876 1, respectively. [Conclusion] the model of NITS about complete grains quinoa fiber can be available for fast detecting quinoa fiber content.

Recognition of wood surface defects with near infrared spectroscopy and machine vision

To improve the accuracy in recognizing defects on wood surfaces,a method fusing near infrared spectroscopy(NIR)and machine vision was examined.Larix gmelinii was selected as the raw material,and the experiments focused on the ability of the model to sort defects into four types:live knots,dead knots,pinholes,and cracks.Sample images were taken using an industrial camera,and a morphological algorithm was applied to locate the position of the defects.A portable near infrared spectrometer(900–1800 nm)collected the spectra of these positions.In addition,principal component analysis was utilized on these variables from spectral information and principal component vectors were extracted as the inputs of the model.The results show that a back propagation neural network model exhibited better discrimination accuracy of 92.7%for the training set and 92.0%for the test set.The research reveals that the NIR fusing machine vision is a feasible tool for detecting defects on board surfaces.

The Study of Using Near-infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Rapid Identify Wheat Drought Resistance-Ⅱ

[Objective] The aim was to build an evaluation method rapidly identifying wheat drought tolerance with near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. [Method] In the research, 36 wheat varieties in 2007-2009 were chosen and drought-tolerance degrees of wheat were graded and identified according to Winter-wheat Drought Tol- erance Evaluation Technical Standards （GB/T 21127-2007）, and harvest wheat grains underwent spectrum collection, with a full-spectrum analyzer, to establish a database. [Result] Based on qualitative analysis and full-spectrum correlation research, the coef- ficient of determination （RSQ） and cross-validation coefficient of determination （1-VR） were concluded at 0.697 5 and 0.600 2, showing near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is of significant differences among wheat varieties and of significant or extremely significant correlation with drought-tolerance indices. [Conclusion] The re- search indicates that to evaluate drought-tolerance of wheat with near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a rapid and feasible way, which is simple, convenient without damages on grains, and of practical values for construction wheat drought-tol- erance evaluation index system and identification of breeding materials.

Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Fistular Onion (Allium fistulosum) and Garlic (Allium sativum) Rust Leaves

[ Objective] Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study fistular onion （Alliumfistulosum） and garlic （Allium sativum） rust leaves, so as to explore the application potential of mid-infrared spectroscopy in the diagnosis of crop disease. [ Method] The normal green leaves and rust leaves of fistular onion and garlic were tested using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their spectral differences were analyzed. [ Result] The infrared spectra of green leaves of fistular onion and garlic are mainly composed of the vibrational bands of polysaccharides, protein and ester. Normal and rust leaves exhibited differences in the fin- gerprint interval of 1 800 -900 cm-1 , in which the band at 1 640 cm-1 in the spectrum of flstular onion rust leaf became stronger, and the band at 1 103 cm-1 was not obvious compared with the spectrum of normal leaf. The absorbance ratios A1640/A1063, A1640/A1736, A1640/A2924, and A1063/A2924 of onion rust leaf were larger than the corresponding ratios A1638/A1 059, A1738/A1 38, A2921/A1638, and A2 92l/A1059 in the spectrum of normal leaf. The band of polysaccharides at 1 056 cm-1 in the spectrmn of garlic normal leaf was the strongest in fingerprint area, while the band at 1 634 cm-1 in the spectrum of garlic rust leaf was the strongest in that are- a. The absorbance ratios A1634/A1069 , A1634/A1099 , A1409/A2923 , and A1634/A737 of garlic rust leaf were larger than the corresponding ratios A1627/A1056 , A1623/A1104 , A1411/A2920 and A1627/A1740 of normal leaves. While the ratios A1634/A2923, A1059/A2923, and A1737/A2923 of garlic rust leaf were less than the corresponding values of A1627/A2920, A1056/A2920, and A1 740/A2920 of normal leaf. [ Conclusion] Rust leaf and normal leaf could be distinguished according to the differences in infrared spectra, and infrared spectroscopy could be developed as the detection method for crop diseases.

Structural and Infrared Spectroscopic Study on Solvation of Acetylene by Protonated Water Molecules

The effect of solvation on the conformation of acetylene has been studied by adding one water molecule at a time. Quantum chemical calculations of the n＋ （C2H2）（H2O）n （n=1-5） clusters indicate that the H2O molecules prefer to form the OH...Tr interaction rather than the CH...O interaction. This solvation motif is different from that of neutral （C2H2）（H2O）n （n=1-4） clusters, in which the H2O molecules prefer to form the CH...O and OH...C Hbonds. For the H＋（C2H2）（H2O）n cationic clusters, the first solvation shell consists of one ring structure with two OH...Tr H-bonds and three water molecules, which is completed at n=4. Simulated infrared spectra reveal that vibrational frequencies of OH... H-bonded O-H stretching afford a sensitive probe for exploring the solvation of acetylene by protonated water molecules. Infrared spectra of the H＋ （C2H2）（H2O）n （n=1-5） clusters could be readily measured by the infrared photodissociation technique and thus provide useful information for the understanding of solvation processes.

Photochemical Reaction of Benzoin Caged Compound： Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Study

The benzoin group caged compound has received strong interests due to its excellent photo- deprotection properties and wide use in chemical and biological studies. We used timeresolved infrared spectroscopy to investigate the photochemical reaction of the benzoin caged compound, o-（2-methylbenzoyl）-DL-benzoin under 266 nm laser irradiation. Taking advantage of the specific vibrational marker bands and the IR discerning capability, we have detected and identified the uncaging product 2-methylbenzoic acid, and two intermediate radicals of benzoyl and 2-methylbenzoate benzyl in the transient infrared spectra. Our results provide spectral evidence to support the homolytic cleavage reaction of C-C=O bond in competition with the deprotection reaction. Moreover, the product yields of 2-methylbenzoic acid and benzoyl radical were observed to be affected by solvents and a largely water contalning solvent can be in favor of the deprotection reaction.

Discrimination of Transgenic Rice Based on Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Regression Discriminant Analysis

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy （NIRS）, a non-destructive measurement technique, was combined with partial least squares regression discrimiant analysis （PLS-DA） to discriminate the transgenic （TCTP and mi166） and wild type （Zhonghua 11） rice. Furthermore, rice lines transformed with protein gene （OsTCTP） and regulation gene （Osmi166） were also discriminated by the NIRS method. The performances of PLS-DA in spectral ranges of 4 000-8 000 cm-1 and 4 000-10 000 cm-1 were compared to obtain the optimal spectral range. As a result, the transgenic and wild type rice were distinguished from each other in the range of 4 000-10 000 cm-1, and the correct classification rate was 100.0% in the validation test. The transgenic rice TCTP and mi166 were also distinguished from each other in the range of 4 000-10 000 cm-1, and the correct classification rate was also 100.0%. In conclusion, NIRS combined with PLS-DA can be used for the discrimination of transgenic rice.

Mathematic Models for Analysis of Quality Components in Sugarcane Juice with Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy

With the technique of Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy, the calibration models for quantitative analysis of sucrose and polarization in sugarcane juice were developed by using transmission mode and calibrating with partial least square (PLS) algorithm. The determination coefficients (R2) of the predicted models for sucrose and polarization in juice were 0. 9980 and 0. 9979 respectively; the root mean square errors of cross validation (RMSECV) were 0. 143 and 0. 155% for sucrose and polarization in juice respectively. The predictive errors measured by FT-NIR were close to those by routine laboratory methods. The results demonstrated that the FT-NIR methods had high accuracy and they were able to replace the routine laboratory analysis. It was also demonstrated that as a rapid and accurate measurement, the FT-NIR technique had potential applications in quality control of mill sugarcane, establishment of payment system based on sugarcane quality, and selection of clones in sugarcane breeding.

Application of Wavelet Transform in the Prediction of Navel Orange Vitamin C Content by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

This study was to search for an approach for rapid measurement of orange vitamin C （Vc） content. By using different decomposing levels of Daubechies 3 wavelet transform, the near-infrared spectra signals obtained from intact fruits of 100 navel orange samples were denoised, and the results of the predicted Vc contents for the corresponding samples determined by the reconstructed spectra after denoising were validated by means of PLS-CV （partial least squared-cross validation）. It was shown that the prediction effects verified by PLS-CV analysis varied when different wavelet transform decomposing levels were employed. At the wavelet decomposing level 4, the best prediction effect was obtained, with the correlation coefficient R between the prediction and true values being 0.9574 and the expected variance RMSECV being as low as 3.9 mg 100 g^-1. Furthermore, the 11 different approaches for the pretreatment of the near-infrared spectrum were compared. It was found that the calibration model established by PLS using spectra pretreated by wavelet transform denoising provided the best prediction for Vc content, exhibiting the highest correlation between the prediction and true values by cross validation. In conclusion, the near infrared spectral model denoised by means of wavelet transform can be used for accurate, rapid, and nondestructive quantitative analysis on navel orange Vc content.