Uschi M. Graham

Low temperature water–gas shift: in situ DRIFTS-reaction study of ceria surface area on the evolution of formates on Pt/CeO2 fuel processing catalysts for fuel cell applications

Abstract Steady state infrared (IR) measurements for adsorption of only CO and under water–gas shift (WGS) reaction conditions indicate that formates are present on the surface of reduced ceria, and that their concentrations vary with surface area of partially reduced ceria. Under steady state WGS, the concentrations of surface formates are strongly limited at high CO conversions. However, at low temperatures and conversions, the formates are close to the equilibrium adsorption/desorption coverages obtained from only CO adsorption. Comparisons at constant temperature indicate that formate bands from IR may provide an indication of the number of active sites present on the catalyst surface, as the rates varied accordingly. The IR results favor a formate intermediate mechanism to explain WGS. However, more kinetic studies are required, and over a broad range of temperatures, to verify this conclusion. Previous low temperature kinetic studies at a relatively high CO/H2O ratios have produced a zero-order dependency for CO and the authors related this to a mechanistic scheme involving reaction of Pt-CO with CeO2 to yield CO2, followed by reoxidation of Ce2O3 by H2O, with liberation of H2. The zero-order was suggested to be due to saturation of noble metal surface with CO during WGS. Saturation of ceria with carbonates was also reported. In this study, a high H2O/CO ratio was used where the CO rate dependency was first-order. This criteria requires that the surface coverage of the adsorbed CO intermediate should be reaction rate limited. Therefore, the formates are suggested to be the intermediates.

Mixed-Phase Oxide Catalyst Based on Mn-Mullite (Sm, Gd)Mn2O5 for NO Oxidation in Diesel Exhaust

Cleaning Diesel Exhaust One strategy for removing pollutants from diesel engine exhaust is to trap the unburned carbon soot and then to combust the soot with the NO2 that is generated from NO; the two pollutants are then converted to N2 and CO2. Diesel exhaust is relatively cold, compared to gasoline engine exhaust, and conversion of NO to NO2 has required the use of platinum catalysts. W. Wang et al. (p. 832) now report that a more earth-abundant catalyst, based on Mn-mullite (Sm, Gd)Mn2O5 metal oxides was able to oxidize NO in simulated diesel exhaust at temperatures as low as 75°C. Spectroscopic studies and quantum chemical modeling suggested that Mn-nitrates formed on Mn-Mn dimer sites were the key intermediates responsible for NO2 formation. Costly platinum catalysts for removing nitrogen oxide pollutants could potentially be replaced with metal oxide catalysts. Oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) for subsequent efficient reduction in selective catalytic reduction or lean NOx trap devices continues to be a challenge in diesel engines because of the low efficiency and high cost of the currently used platinum (Pt)–based catalysts. We show that mixed-phase oxide materials based on Mn-mullite (Sm, Gd)Mn2O5 are an efficient substitute for the current commercial Pt-based catalysts. Under laboratory-simulated diesel exhaust conditions, this mixed-phase oxide material was superior to Pt in terms of cost, thermal durability, and catalytic activity for NO oxidation. This oxide material is active at temperatures as low as 120°C with conversion maxima of ~45% higher than that achieved with Pt. Density functional theory and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy provide insights into the NO-to-NO2 reaction mechanism on catalytically active Mn-Mn sites via the intermediate nitrate species.

Brain Distribution and Toxicological Evaluation of a Systemically Delivered Engineered Nanoscale Ceria

Engineered nanoscale ceria is used as a diesel fuel catalyst. Little is known about its mammalian central nervous system effects. The objective of this paper is to characterize the biodistribution of a 5-nm citrate-stabilized ceria dispersion from blood into brain and its pro- or antioxidant effects. An approximately 4% aqueous ceria dispersion was iv infused into rats (0, 100, and up to 250 mg/kg), which were terminated after 1 or 20 h. Ceria concentration, localization, and chemical speciation in the brain were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, light and electron microscopy (EM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Pro- or antioxidative stress effects were assessed as protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine, and protein-bound 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal in hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, manganese superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels and activities were measured in hippocampus. Catalase levels and activities were also measured in cortex and cerebellum. Na fluorescein and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were given iv as blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity markers. Mortality was seen after administration of 175-250 mg ceria/kg. Twenty hours after infusion of 100 mg ceria/kg, brain HRP was marginally elevated. EM and EELS revealed mixed Ce(III) and Ce(IV) valence in the freshly synthesized ceria in vitro and in ceria agglomerates in the brain vascular compartment. Ceria was not seen in microvascular endothelial or brain cells. Ceria elevated catalase levels at 1 h and increased catalase activity at 20 h in hippocampus and decreased catalase activity at 1 h in cerebellum. Compared with a previously studied approximately 30-nm ceria, this ceria was more toxic, was not seen in the brain, and produced little oxidative stress effect to the hippocampus and cerebellum. The results are contrary to the hypothesis that a smaller engineered nanomaterial would more readily permeate the BBB.

Biodistribution and oxidative stress effects of a systemically-introduced commercial ceria engineered nanomaterial

The objective was to characterize the biodistribution of nanoscale ceria from blood and its effects on oxidative stress endpoints. A commercial 5% crystalline ceria dispersion in water (average particle size ~31±4 nm) was infused intravenously into rats (0, 50, 250 and 750 mg/kg), which were terminated 1 or 20 h later. Biodistribution in rat tissues was assessed by microscopy and ICP-AES/MS. Oxidative stress effects were assessed by protein-bound 4-hydroxy 2-trans-nonenal (HNE), protein-bound 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and protein carbonyls. Evans blue (EB)-albumin and Na fluorescein (Na2F) were given intravenously as blood-brain barrier integrity markers. The initial ceria t½ in blood was ~7 min. Brain EB and Na2F increased some at 20 h. Microscopy revealed peripheral organ ceria agglomerations but little in the brain. Spleen Ce concentration was >liver >blood >brain. Reticuloendothelial tissues cleared ceria. HNE was significantly increased in the hippocampus at 20 h. Protein carbonyl and 3-NT changes were small. The nanoparticle characterizations before and after biodistribution, linked with the physiological responses, provide a foundation for evaluating the effects of engineered nanomaterial physico-chemical properties on peripheral organ distribution, brain entry and resultant toxicity.

Distribution, Elimination, and Biopersistence to 90 Days of a Systemically Introduced 30 nm Ceria-Engineered Nanomaterial in Rats

Nanoceria is used as a catalyst in diesel fuel, as an abrasive in printed circuit manufacture, and is being pursued as an antioxidant therapeutic. Our objective is to extend previous findings showing that there were no reductions of cerium in organs of the mononuclear phagocyte (reticuloendothelial) system up to 30 days after a single nanoscale ceria administration. An ~5% aqueous dispersion of citrate-stabilized 30 nm ceria, synthesized and characterized in-house, or vehicle, was iv infused into rats terminated 1, 7, 30, or 90 days later. Cageside observations were obtained daily, body weight weekly. Daily urinary and fecal cerium outputs were quantified for 2 weeks. Nine organs were weighed and samples collected from 14 tissues/organs/systems, blood and cerebrospinal fluid for cerium determination. Histology and oxidative stress were assessed. Less than 1% of the nanoceria was excreted in the first 2 weeks, 98% in feces. Body weight gain was initially impaired. Spleen weight was significantly increased in some ceria-treated groups, associated with abnormalities. Ceria was primarily retained in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. There was little decrease of ceria in any tissue over the 90 days. Granulomas were observed in the liver. Time-dependent oxidative stress changes were seen in the liver and spleen. Nanoscale ceria was persistently retained by organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system, associated with adverse changes. The results support concern about the long-term fate and adverse effects of inert nanoscale metal oxides that distribute throughout the body, are persistently retained, and produce adverse changes.

Characterization of fly ash from Kentucky power plants

Abstract Fly ashes from 21 Kentucky power plants were grouped according to the sulfur content of the feed coal. The highest-carbon fly ashes tended to be from the lowest-sulfur feed coals, partly because many of those plants were smaller and older than the higher-sulfur units. Iron oxide content increased at the expense of aluminium and silicon oxides in the higher-sulfur feed ashes. An increase in calcium and magnesium oxides towards the higher-sulfur feed ashes was due to the greater abundance of carbonate minerals in the higher-sulfur Illinois Basin coals. The highest arsenic values were among electrostatic precipitator ashes from medium-sulfur sources. The arsenic and lead contents of low- and medium-sulfur central Appalachian coals could be higher than those of high-sulfur Illinois Basin coals. Where direct comparison of fly ash and bottom ash was possible, the bottom ash was enriched in Fe 2 O 3 relative to the fly ash and most minor elements were depleted in the bottom ash relative to the fly ash. TCLP testing of selected fly ashes indicated that all of the leachates would pass the established RCRA limits. Some of the higher As and Cr levels were from fly ashes in the highest-sulfur category. For As, though, there is no significant correlation between fly ash As and leachate As.

Alteration of hepatic structure and oxidative stress induced by intravenous nanoceria.

Beyond the traditional use of ceria as an abrasive, the scope of nanoceria applications now extends into fuel cell manufacturing, diesel fuel additives, and for therapeutic intervention as a putative antioxidant. However, the biological effects of nanoceria exposure have yet to be fully defined, which gave us the impetus to examine its systemic biodistribution and biological responses. An extensively characterized nanoceria (5 nm) dispersion was vascularly infused into rats, which were terminated 1 h, 20 h or 30 days later. Light and electron microscopic tissue characterization was conducted and hepatic oxidative stress parameters determined. We observed acute ceria nanoparticle sequestration by Kupffer cells with subsequent bioretention in parenchymal cells as well. The internalized ceria nanoparticles appeared as spherical agglomerates of varying dimension without specific organelle penetration. In hepatocytes, the agglomerated nanoceria frequently localized to the plasma membrane facing bile canaliculi. Hepatic stellate cells also sequestered nanoceria. Within the sinusoids, sustained nanoceria bioretention was associated with granuloma formations comprised of Kupffer cells and intermingling CD3⁺ T cells. A statistically significant elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was seen at 1 and 20 h, but subsided by 30 days after ceria administration. Further, elevated apoptosis was observed on day 30. These findings, together with increased hepatic protein carbonyl levels on day 30, indicate ceria-induced hepatic injury and oxidative stress, respectively. Such observations suggest a single vascular infusion of nanoceria can lead to persistent hepatic retention of particles with possible implications for occupational and therapeutic exposures.

Biodistribution and biopersistence of ceria engineered nanomaterials: size dependence

UNLABELLED The aims were to determine the biodistribution, translocation, and persistence of nanoceria in the brain and selected peripheral organs. Nanoceria is being studied as an anti-oxidant therapeutic. Five, 15, 30, or 55 nm ceria was iv infused into rats which were terminated 1, 20, or 720 h later. Cerium was determined in blood, brain, liver, and spleen. Liver and spleen contained a large percentage of the dose, from which there was no significant clearance over 720 h, associated with adverse changes. Very little nanoceria entered brain parenchyma. The results suggest brain delivery of nanoceria will be a challenge. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR This team of investigators revealed that nanoceria, which is being studied as an anti-oxidant, has very limited uptake by the brain regardless of the range of sizes studied, suggesting major challenges in the application of this novel approach in the central nervous system.

Ceria-engineered nanomaterial distribution in, and clearance from, blood: size matters

AIMS Characterize different sized ceria-engineered nanomaterial (ENM) distribution in, and clearance from, blood (compared to the cerium ion) following intravenous infusion. MATERIALS & METHODS Cerium (Ce) was quantified in whole blood, serum and clot (the formed elements) up to 720 h. RESULTS Traditional pharmacokinetic modeling showed best fit for 5 nm ceria ENM and the cerium ion. Ceria ENMs larger than 5 nm were rapidly cleared from blood. After initially declining, whole blood 15 and 30 nm ceria increased (results that have not been well-described by traditional pharmacokinetic modeling). The cerium ion and 5 and 55 nm ceria did not preferentially distribute into serum or clot, a mixture of cubic and rod shaped ceria was predominantly in the clot, and 15 and 30 nm ceria migrated into the clot over 4 h. CONCLUSION Reticuloendothelial organs may not readily recognize five nm ceria. Increased ceria distribution into the clot over time may be due to opsonization. Traditional pharmacokinetic analysis was not very informative. Ceria ENM pharmacokinetics are quite different from the cerium ion.

Rat brain pro-oxidant effects of peripherally administered 5 nm ceria 30 days after exposure

The objective of this study was to determine the residual pro-or anti-oxidant effects in rat brain 30 days after systemic administration of a 5 nm citrate-stabilized ceria dispersion. A ∼4% aqueous ceria dispersion was iv-infused (0 or 85 mg/kg) into rats which were terminated 30 days later. Ceria concentration, localization, and chemical speciation in the brain was assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), light and electron microscopy (EM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), respectively. Pro- or anti-oxidant effects were evaluated by measuring levels of protein carbonyls (PC), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and protein-bound-4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) in the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels and activity were measured in addition to levels of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), and heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70). The blood brain barrier (BBB) was visibly intact and no ceria was seen in the brain cells. Ceria elevated PC and Hsp70 levels in hippocampus and cerebellum, while 3NT and iNOS levels were elevated in the cortex. Whereas glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity were decreased in the hippocampus, GR levels were decreased in the cortex, and GPx and catalase levels were decreased in the cerebellum. The GSH:GSSG ratio, an index of cellular redox status, was decreased in the hippocampus and cerebellum. The results are in accordance with the observation that this nanoscale material remains in this mammal model up to 30 days after its administration and the hypothesis that it exerts pro-oxidant effects on the brain without crossing the BBB. These results have important implications on the potential use of ceria ENM as therapeutic agents.