National Chemical Laboratory

About: National Chemical Laboratory is a facility organization based out in Pune, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Nanoparticle. The organization has 8891 authors who have published 14837 publications receiving 387600 citations.

Chromerid genomes reveal the evolutionary path from photosynthetic algae to obligate intracellular parasites

Abstract: The eukaryotic phylum Apicomplexa encompasses thousands of obligate intracellular parasites of humans and animals with immense socio-economic and health impacts. We sequenced nuclear genomes of Chromera velia and Vitrella brassicaformis, free-living non-parasitic photosynthetic algae closely related to apicomplexans. Proteins from key metabolic pathways and from the endomembrane trafficking systems associated with a free-living lifestyle have been progressively and non-randomly lost during adaptation to parasitism. The free-living ancestor contained a broad repertoire of genes many of which were repurposed for parasitic processes, such as extracellular proteins, components of a motility apparatus, and DNA- and RNA-binding protein families. Based on transcriptome analyses across 36 environmental conditions, Chromera orthologs of apicomplexan invasion-related motility genes were co-regulated with genes encoding the flagellar apparatus, supporting the functional contribution of flagella to the evolution of invasion machinery. This study provides insights into how obligate parasites with diverse life strategies arose from a once free-living phototrophic marine alga.

Lignin Depolymerization into Aromatic Monomers over Solid Acid Catalysts

Abstract: It is imperative to develop an efficient and environmentally benign pathway to valorize profusely available lignin, a component of nonedible lignocellulosic materials, into value-added aromatic monomers, which can be used as fuel additives and platform chemicals. To convert lignin, earlier studies used mineral bases (NaOH, CsOH) or supported metal catalysts (Pt, Ru, Pd, Ni on C, SiO2, Al2O3, etc.) under a hydrogen atmosphere, but these methods face several drawbacks such as corrosion, difficulty in catalyst recovery, sintering of metals, loss of activity, etc. Here we show that under an inert atmosphere various solid acid catalysts can efficiently convert six different types of lignins into value-added aromatic monomers. In particular, the SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst gave exceptionally high yields of ca. 60% for organic solvent soluble extracted products with 95 ± 10% mass balance in the depolymerization of dealkaline lignin, bagasse lignin, and ORG and EORG lignins at 250 °C within 30 min. GC, GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS...

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Using Nafion‐Based Composite Membranes with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract: Fuel efficiency: Enhanced proton conductivity is obtained by the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes prefunctionalized with sulfonic acid groups (S-SWCNTs) into a Nafion matrix (see scheme). The acid content of the CNT connects the hydrophobic regions of the membrane, thus providing a network for proton mobility. The polymer electrolyte membranes also have improved mechanical stability in H 2 /O 2 fuel cells.

Wet chemical synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles: a review

Abstract: Metal oxide nanoparticles are an important class of nanomaterials that have found several applications in science and technology. Through wet chemical synthesis, it is possible to achieve selective surface structures, phases, shapes, and sizes of metal oxide nanoparticles, leading to a set of desired properties. Wet chemical synthesis routes allow fine tuning of the reaction conditions (temperature, concentration of substrate, additives or surfactants, pH, etc.) to afford the desired nanomaterials. In this review article, we highlight recent developments in the wet chemical synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles to provide great control over the quality of the obtained nanomaterials. The review critically evaluates the different wet chemical methods for scalable production of metal oxide nanoparticles to satisfy the growing industrial demand for nanomaterials. Special attention is paid to continuous flow synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.