In recent years, the development of advanced drug delivery systems has emerged as a promising approach to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. This study addresses key challenges in drug delivery, including achieving active targeting, controlled drug release, and dual-mode imaging. We present a novel multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based system co-loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and doped with lanthanum metals (Eu, Gd), offering a synergistic combination of chemotherapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapies. By incorporating calcium (Ca) into the MSN structure, we engineered a pH-sensitive degradation mechanism that leverages the acidic tumor microenvironment for enhanced biodegradability, promoting safe elimination from the body. Hyaluronic acid (HA) modification further enhances tumor targeting through receptor-mediated pathways. The resulting MSN-EuGdCa@DOX-PDA-HA platform offers dual imaging capabilities and precise, pH-responsive drug release, presenting an innovative solution to overcome the limitations of current cancer therapies.
{"title":"Advanced self-decomposing drug delivery system for integrated photothermal, photodynamic, and chemotherapy","authors":"Zhi-Yuan Wu, Zui Harng Lee, Min-Hsuan Tsou, Ya-Ci Yang, Hsiu-Mei Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131894","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131894","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, the development of advanced drug delivery systems has emerged as a promising approach to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. This study addresses key challenges in drug delivery, including achieving active targeting, controlled drug release, and dual-mode imaging. We present a novel multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based system co-loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) and doped with lanthanum metals (Eu, Gd), offering a synergistic combination of chemotherapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapies. By incorporating calcium (Ca) into the MSN structure, we engineered a pH-sensitive degradation mechanism that leverages the acidic tumor microenvironment for enhanced biodegradability, promoting safe elimination from the body. Hyaluronic acid (HA) modification further enhances tumor targeting through receptor-mediated pathways. The resulting MSN-EuGdCa@DOX-PDA-HA platform offers dual imaging capabilities and precise, pH-responsive drug release, presenting an innovative solution to overcome the limitations of current cancer therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131894"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131931
M.A. Nuriyev , A.A. Nabiyev , A.I. Gasimova , A.A. Shukurova , T.N. Vershinina , O. Yu Ponamareva
In the presented work, the thermophysical properties of initial PVA/CdS nanocomposite films and those modified with gamma quanta at different doses, obtained through the formation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) semiconductor nanoparticles in the pores of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using a layered chemical sorption method were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. The relations between thermophysical properties and changes in the supramolecular structure of composite layers after the impact of filler and gamma radiation were discussed.
It was determined that CdS nanoparticles and radiation structures interfere with the crystallization of molecular chains in PVA and PVA/CdS nanocomposites, changing the supramolecular structure of the matrix and causing differences in the characteristic parameters of melting and crystallization processes obtained from DSC thermograms.
Through a comparative analysis of TG and DTG thermograms of PVA and PVA/CdS nanocomposites, it was found that the mass loss during thermal degradation occurred twice as fast in the initial PVA samples compared to nanocomposites. This suggests that PVA/CdS nanocomposites exhibit higher thermal stability than the pure polymer matrix. The increase in thermal stability of nanocomposite layers was explained by the interaction between organic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles at the interphase boundary.
{"title":"Effect of gamma irradiation on the structural and thermophysical properties of PVA/CdS composites","authors":"M.A. Nuriyev , A.A. Nabiyev , A.I. Gasimova , A.A. Shukurova , T.N. Vershinina , O. Yu Ponamareva","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131931","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131931","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the presented work, the thermophysical properties of initial PVA/CdS nanocomposite films and those modified with gamma quanta at different doses, obtained through the formation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) semiconductor nanoparticles in the pores of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using a layered chemical sorption method were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. The relations between thermophysical properties and changes in the supramolecular structure of composite layers after the impact of filler and gamma radiation were discussed.</div><div>It was determined that CdS nanoparticles and radiation structures interfere with the crystallization of molecular chains in PVA and PVA/CdS nanocomposites, changing the supramolecular structure of the matrix and causing differences in the characteristic parameters of melting and crystallization processes obtained from DSC thermograms.</div><div>Through a comparative analysis of TG and DTG thermograms of PVA and PVA/CdS nanocomposites, it was found that the mass loss during thermal degradation occurred twice as fast in the initial PVA samples compared to nanocomposites. This suggests that PVA/CdS nanocomposites exhibit higher thermal stability than the pure polymer matrix. The increase in thermal stability of nanocomposite layers was explained by the interaction between organic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles at the interphase boundary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131931"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bismuth and indium vanadates are n-type semiconductors with a good sensitivity and selectivity to toxic gases. Chemisorbed oxygen plays a crucial role in gas sensitivity of metal oxide semiconductors (MOS), however it was not determined for bismuth and indium vanadates. In this work, an experimental determination of chemisorbed oxygen species on nanocrystalline BiVO4 and InVO4 was performed by electric measurements, EPR and in situ infrared (DRIFT) spectroscopy under variable oxygen partial pressure. It was found that O2 chemisorption on monoclinic sheelite (ms-BiVO4) and tetragonal zircon (tz-BiVO4) polymorphs of bismuth vanadate fits the ionosorption model of oxygen on MOS and results in molecular O2− (at 150–200 °C), and atomic O− (at 200–300 °C) and O2− species at raising temperature. Oxygen vacancies determined by EPR in BiVO4 are believed to be the donor sites for oxygen chemisorption. On the other hand, the results suggest that oxygen binds to partially reduced cations V4+ restoring V–O bonds and forming O− species at the surface of InVO4 at 100–300 °C.
{"title":"Features of oxygen adsorption on nanocrystalline BiVO4 and InVO4 studied by electric measurements, EPR and DRIFT spectroscopy","authors":"Artem Marikutsa , Yaroslav Mozharov , Elizaveta Konstantinova , Marina Rumyantseva","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bismuth and indium vanadates are <em>n</em>-type semiconductors with a good sensitivity and selectivity to toxic gases. Chemisorbed oxygen plays a crucial role in gas sensitivity of metal oxide semiconductors (MOS), however it was not determined for bismuth and indium vanadates. In this work, an experimental determination of chemisorbed oxygen species on nanocrystalline BiVO<sub>4</sub> and InVO<sub>4</sub> was performed by electric measurements, EPR and <em>in situ</em> infrared (DRIFT) spectroscopy under variable oxygen partial pressure. It was found that O<sub>2</sub> chemisorption on monoclinic sheelite (ms-BiVO<sub>4</sub>) and tetragonal zircon (tz-BiVO<sub>4</sub>) polymorphs of bismuth vanadate fits the ionosorption model of oxygen on MOS and results in molecular O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> (at 150–200 °C), and atomic O<sup>−</sup> (at 200–300 °C) and O<sup>2−</sup> species at raising temperature. Oxygen vacancies determined by EPR in BiVO<sub>4</sub> are believed to be the donor sites for oxygen chemisorption. On the other hand, the results suggest that oxygen binds to partially reduced cations V<sup>4+</sup> restoring V–O bonds and forming O<sup>−</sup> species at the surface of InVO<sub>4</sub> at 100–300 °C.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131937"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131918
S. Suneetha , Gnyaneshwar Dasi , Lavanya Thyda , Koppula Naresh , Joel K. Joseph , S. Jyothsna , G. Sharada , Kuppusamy Thangaraju
The flame-synthesized carbon nano-onions (CNOs) were successfully incorporated into sol-gel derived spin-coated ZnO thin films. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO with reduced crystallite size upon incorporation of CNOs. TEM analysis confirmed the presence of spherical-shaped carbon nano-onions with concentric graphitic shells in the flame-synthesized CNOs powder. The FE-SEM images displayed a granular surface morphology with smaller grains in the CNOs/ZnO hybrid thin films. EDAX results indicated an increase in the C/Zn atomic ratio upon increasing CNOs content in the films, validating systematic incorporation of CNOs in ZnO films. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on the CNOs/ZnO hybrid thin film (10 %(v/v) of CNOs) exhibited enhanced responsivity of 11.9 A/W and impressive external quantum efficiency of 4036.4 % at 3 V when compared to the pure ZnO film-based device (1.46 A/W and 494.9 %). The improved charge transfer dynamics in the CNOs/ZnO hybrid system is facilitated by the carbon nano-onions, contributing to the enhanced optoelectronic device performances. These findings highlight the potential applications of flame-synthesized CNOs in ZnO-based hybrid structures for efficient UV photodetection, paving the way for their integration into scalable and low-cost optoelectronic devices.
{"title":"Flame-synthesized carbon nano-onions (CNOs): CNOs/ZnO hybrid thin films for efficient ultraviolet photodetectors","authors":"S. Suneetha , Gnyaneshwar Dasi , Lavanya Thyda , Koppula Naresh , Joel K. Joseph , S. Jyothsna , G. Sharada , Kuppusamy Thangaraju","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flame-synthesized carbon nano-onions (CNOs) were successfully incorporated into sol-gel derived spin-coated ZnO thin films. XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO with reduced crystallite size upon incorporation of CNOs. TEM analysis confirmed the presence of spherical-shaped carbon nano-onions with concentric graphitic shells in the flame-synthesized CNOs powder. The FE-SEM images displayed a granular surface morphology with smaller grains in the CNOs/ZnO hybrid thin films. EDAX results indicated an increase in the C/Zn atomic ratio upon increasing CNOs content in the films, validating systematic incorporation of CNOs in ZnO films. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on the CNOs/ZnO hybrid thin film (10 %(v/v) of CNOs) exhibited enhanced responsivity of 11.9 A/W and impressive external quantum efficiency of 4036.4 % at 3 V when compared to the pure ZnO film-based device (1.46 A/W and 494.9 %). The improved charge transfer dynamics in the CNOs/ZnO hybrid system is facilitated by the carbon nano-onions, contributing to the enhanced optoelectronic device performances. These findings highlight the potential applications of flame-synthesized CNOs in ZnO-based hybrid structures for efficient UV photodetection, paving the way for their integration into scalable and low-cost optoelectronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131918"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131932
F. Alavi , E. Saievar-Iranizad , Sh Roudbar Mohammadi
This study focuses on the feasibility study of attaching Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles (NPs) to the membrane of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Among various NPs, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were selected due to their high magnetic saturation. These NPs were synthesized with an average size of 16 nm using a co-precipitation method, and their saturation magnetization was 80 emu/g. To prevent aggregation and oxidation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles and to stabilize them, it was necessary to coat the nanoparticles. Among different metals, gold was chosen due to its high chemical stability, biocompatibility and non-toxic nature. Subsequently, the coating of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles was carried out using a chemical reduction method with oleic amine and ascorbic acid as reducing agents. The resulting Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles had an average size of about 20 nm and a saturation magnetization of 60 emu/g. E. coli bacteria from a urine sample were cultured in MacConkey agar medium. Then, the optimal concentration of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles (8 mg/L) was injected into the bacterial culture and subjected to TEM analysis. This study successfully demonstrated the attachment of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles to the membrane of E. coli bacteria. Furthermore, the attached bacteria to the nanoparticles exhibited successful responses to an external magnetic field. The movement of E. coli bacteria in the magnetic field suggests that there are potential applications in targeted bacterial and cancer therapy.
{"title":"The synthesis of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles and the feasibility study of attaching them to the E. coli bacterial membrane","authors":"F. Alavi , E. Saievar-Iranizad , Sh Roudbar Mohammadi","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131932","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131932","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the feasibility study of attaching Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Au nanoparticles (NPs) to the membrane of <em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E. coli</em>) bacteria. Among various NPs, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were selected due to their high magnetic saturation. These NPs were synthesized with an average size of 16 nm using a co-precipitation method, and their saturation magnetization was 80 emu/g. To prevent aggregation and oxidation of the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles and to stabilize them, it was necessary to coat the nanoparticles. Among different metals, gold was chosen due to its high chemical stability, biocompatibility and non-toxic nature. Subsequently, the coating of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Au nanoparticles was carried out using a chemical reduction method with oleic amine and ascorbic acid as reducing agents. The resulting Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Au nanoparticles had an average size of about 20 nm and a saturation magnetization of 60 emu/g. <em>E. coli</em> bacteria from a urine sample were cultured in MacConkey agar medium. Then, the optimal concentration of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Au nanoparticles (8 mg/L) was injected into the bacterial culture and subjected to TEM analysis. This study successfully demonstrated the attachment of Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@Au nanoparticles to the membrane of <em>E. coli</em> bacteria. Furthermore, the attached bacteria to the nanoparticles exhibited successful responses to an external magnetic field. The movement of <em>E. coli</em> bacteria in the magnetic field suggests that there are potential applications in targeted bacterial and cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"351 ","pages":"Article 131932"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145842509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The work focuses on the novel feasibility of pristine and Stone-Wales defected Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT/SW-BNNT) as nanocarriers for the delivery and pH-responsive self-release of the antifungal drug Flucytosine (5-FC) using Density functional theory (DFT). The interaction between the drug and the carrier shows stable physisorption of 5-FC on BNNT/SW-BNNT with adsorption energies −0.85 eV/-0.99 eV, with no significant changes in structural parameters of the drug post adsorption. The partial density of states (PDOS) calculations suggested that the stable drug-carrier bonding has resulted from the p-orbital interaction between the B(2p) orbitals of BNNT/SW-BNNT and the O(2p) orbitals of 5-FC. The results of electronic property calculation of the most stable adsorption geometry revealed a reduction in bandgap by 18.9 % and 19.6 % on BNNT and SW-BNNT nanostructures respectively on adsorption of the drug, highlighting SW-BNNT to be used as bandgap-based sensor. The favorable values of Quantum molecular descriptors (QMD) of the carriers revealed their potential as drug carriers. The solvation energy of the carriers and drug-carrier complex in water medium revealed that naturally hydrophobic BNNT/SW-BNNT turns out to be water soluble after binding with the drug 5-FC, without much change in adsorption energy, favoring its candidateship. The recovery time analysis of the drug using photo-responsive desorption highlighted the potential of BNNT over SW-BNNT as a promising carrier. The self-desorption mechanism of the drug 5-FC from the BNNT/SWBNNT carrier in the acidic microenvironment of fungal infections has been successfully proved using pH-responsive simulations.
{"title":"In silico assessment for Harnessing the potential of pristine and defected boron nitride nanotube structures in the smart delivery and self-targeted release of Flucytosine","authors":"Anjaly Baiju Krishna , Arjun Suvilal , Diya Jayakrishnan , Rakhesh Vamadevan , Jeetu Satheesh Babu","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131921","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131921","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The work focuses on the novel feasibility of pristine and Stone-Wales defected Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT/SW-BNNT) as nanocarriers for the delivery and pH-responsive self-release of the antifungal drug Flucytosine (5-FC) using Density functional theory (DFT). The interaction between the drug and the carrier shows stable physisorption of 5-FC on BNNT/SW-BNNT with adsorption energies −0.85 eV/-0.99 eV, with no significant changes in structural parameters of the drug post adsorption. The partial density of states (PDOS) calculations suggested that the stable drug-carrier bonding has resulted from the p-orbital interaction between the B(2p) orbitals of BNNT/SW-BNNT and the O(2p) orbitals of 5-FC. The results of electronic property calculation of the most stable adsorption geometry revealed a reduction in bandgap by 18.9 % and 19.6 % on BNNT and SW-BNNT nanostructures respectively on adsorption of the drug, highlighting SW-BNNT to be used as bandgap-based sensor. The favorable values of Quantum molecular descriptors (QMD) of the carriers revealed their potential as drug carriers. The solvation energy of the carriers and drug-carrier complex in water medium revealed that naturally hydrophobic BNNT/SW-BNNT turns out to be water soluble after binding with the drug 5-FC, without much change in adsorption energy, favoring its candidateship. The recovery time analysis of the drug using photo-responsive desorption highlighted the potential of BNNT over SW-BNNT as a promising carrier. The self-desorption mechanism of the drug 5-FC from the BNNT/SWBNNT carrier in the acidic microenvironment of fungal infections has been successfully proved using pH-responsive simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131921"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131928
MengHeBaTu , Dai Zetian , Juan Xue , Fulai Wang
We prepared a ceramic metamaterial with a working range of 8–20 THz by using vapor deposition and electron beam etching. Through optimization experiments, we revealed the relationship between structural parameters and absorption performance. More importantly, in the temperature control experiment, the absorption performance of the metamaterial salt was gradually strengthened while the resonance position was synchronously moved to the low-frequency region. In addition, new absorption peaks were also acquired and exhibited opposite resonant behavior. The temperature sensitivities of the three absorption peaks are 0.047 THz/K, 0.048 THz/K and 0.054 THz/K respectively. The proposed metamaterial sample achieved significant temperature modulability. These results lay the foundation for the development of new multifunctional sensors based on tunable metamaterials.
{"title":"Measurement and optimization of the absorption properties of ceramic metamaterials for enhanced temperature sensing applications","authors":"MengHeBaTu , Dai Zetian , Juan Xue , Fulai Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131928","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131928","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We prepared a ceramic metamaterial with a working range of 8–20 THz by using vapor deposition and electron beam etching. Through optimization experiments, we revealed the relationship between structural parameters and absorption performance. More importantly, in the temperature control experiment, the absorption performance of the metamaterial salt was gradually strengthened while the resonance position was synchronously moved to the low-frequency region. In addition, new absorption peaks were also acquired and exhibited opposite resonant behavior. The temperature sensitivities of the three absorption peaks are 0.047 THz/K, 0.048 THz/K and 0.054 THz/K respectively. The proposed metamaterial sample achieved significant temperature modulability. These results lay the foundation for the development of new multifunctional sensors based on tunable metamaterials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131928"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131903
Medha Deshpande , Zhengyou Li , L.R. Naik , Jagadeesha Angadi V , Enas S. Radwan , Mohd Ubaidullah , Shifa Wang , Abdullah M. Al-Enizi
<div><div>In the present investigation, chromium-substituted Cu–Mn ferrite nanoparticles with the general formula Cu<sub>1-x</sub>Mn<sub>x</sub>FeCrO<sub>4</sub> (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were successfully synthesized by a solution combustion route using a urea–glucose dual fuel system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement confirmed the formation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure (Fd <span><math><mrow><mover><mn>3</mn><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math></span> m), with lattice parameters expanding linearly from 8.276 Å to 8.427 Å as Mn<sup>2+</sup> (0.80 Å) progressively substituted Cu<sup>2+</sup> (0.73 Å), in agreement with Vegard's law. Peak profile analysis using Debye–Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, Halder–Wagner, and Size–Strain plot (SSP) methods revealed a systematic reduction in crystallite size from 23 nm (x = 0) to 11 nm (x = 1), accompanied by an increase in lattice strain and dislocation density, indicating enhanced lattice distortion with Mn doping. FTIR spectra exhibited two characteristic spinel vibrational modes in the 550–600 cm<sup>−1</sup> (A-site) and 400–450 cm<sup>−1</sup> (B-site) regions, with a noticeable redshift in the A-site band confirming Cu→Mn substitution and the preservation of phase purity without secondary phases. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed a tunable optical band gap, decreasing systematically from ∼2.08 eV (x = 0) to ∼1.76 eV (x = 1), suggesting potential for visible-light-driven catalytic and electronic applications.</div><div>Magnetic characterization by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) revealed soft ferrimagnetic behavior with low coercivity (Hc = 34 → 7 Oe) and remanence (Mr = 0.67 → 0.027 emu/g) as Mn content increased, attributed to cation redistribution and weakening of A–B superexchange interactions (Neel's model). First-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis confirmed a transition from a broad coercivity distribution and strong interparticle interactions in CuFeCrO<sub>4</sub> to a narrow, weakly interacting single-domain-like behavior in MnFeCrO<sub>4</sub>, demonstrating magnetic softening desirable for low-loss applications.</div><div>Electrochemical investigations highlighted the multifunctionality of the material: linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) revealed a reduced HER overpotential (η<sub>10</sub>) and the lowest Tafel slope (148 mV dec<sup>−1</sup> for x = 1), confirming improved intrinsic catalytic activity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves exhibited enhanced capacitive current response with increasing Mn content, with x = 0.5 delivering the highest specific capacitance due to optimal cation distribution and Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> redox activity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed decreased charge-transfer resistance (Rct) and enhanced ion diffusion for Mn-rich samples, corroborating the improved conductivity and electrochemical kinetics. The Mn substitution in Cu–Cr spinel ferrites provides a powerful route to simultaneously tailor
{"title":"Enhanced magnetic and supercapacitor studies of manganese doped copper ferrites for energy storage applications","authors":"Medha Deshpande , Zhengyou Li , L.R. Naik , Jagadeesha Angadi V , Enas S. Radwan , Mohd Ubaidullah , Shifa Wang , Abdullah M. Al-Enizi","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the present investigation, chromium-substituted Cu–Mn ferrite nanoparticles with the general formula Cu<sub>1-x</sub>Mn<sub>x</sub>FeCrO<sub>4</sub> (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were successfully synthesized by a solution combustion route using a urea–glucose dual fuel system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement confirmed the formation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure (Fd <span><math><mrow><mover><mn>3</mn><mo>‾</mo></mover></mrow></math></span> m), with lattice parameters expanding linearly from 8.276 Å to 8.427 Å as Mn<sup>2+</sup> (0.80 Å) progressively substituted Cu<sup>2+</sup> (0.73 Å), in agreement with Vegard's law. Peak profile analysis using Debye–Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, Halder–Wagner, and Size–Strain plot (SSP) methods revealed a systematic reduction in crystallite size from 23 nm (x = 0) to 11 nm (x = 1), accompanied by an increase in lattice strain and dislocation density, indicating enhanced lattice distortion with Mn doping. FTIR spectra exhibited two characteristic spinel vibrational modes in the 550–600 cm<sup>−1</sup> (A-site) and 400–450 cm<sup>−1</sup> (B-site) regions, with a noticeable redshift in the A-site band confirming Cu→Mn substitution and the preservation of phase purity without secondary phases. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed a tunable optical band gap, decreasing systematically from ∼2.08 eV (x = 0) to ∼1.76 eV (x = 1), suggesting potential for visible-light-driven catalytic and electronic applications.</div><div>Magnetic characterization by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) revealed soft ferrimagnetic behavior with low coercivity (Hc = 34 → 7 Oe) and remanence (Mr = 0.67 → 0.027 emu/g) as Mn content increased, attributed to cation redistribution and weakening of A–B superexchange interactions (Neel's model). First-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis confirmed a transition from a broad coercivity distribution and strong interparticle interactions in CuFeCrO<sub>4</sub> to a narrow, weakly interacting single-domain-like behavior in MnFeCrO<sub>4</sub>, demonstrating magnetic softening desirable for low-loss applications.</div><div>Electrochemical investigations highlighted the multifunctionality of the material: linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) revealed a reduced HER overpotential (η<sub>10</sub>) and the lowest Tafel slope (148 mV dec<sup>−1</sup> for x = 1), confirming improved intrinsic catalytic activity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves exhibited enhanced capacitive current response with increasing Mn content, with x = 0.5 delivering the highest specific capacitance due to optimal cation distribution and Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> redox activity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed decreased charge-transfer resistance (Rct) and enhanced ion diffusion for Mn-rich samples, corroborating the improved conductivity and electrochemical kinetics. The Mn substitution in Cu–Cr spinel ferrites provides a powerful route to simultaneously tailor ","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131903"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131930
Ghulam Asghar , Yousaf Iqbal , Fozia Fayyaz Kayani , Muhammad Irshad , Ghulam Hasnain Tariq , Khushbakht Shamraiz , Akif Safeen , Muhammad Iftikhar , Xinman Chen , Muhammad Anis-ur-Rehmah , Abdullah M.S. Alhuthali
This study aimed to investigate the effects of vacancies and the introduction of Al and Sm dopants on the structural and magnetic properties of hexaferrite compounds, as well as how temperature influences their electrical properties. Samples with composition BaAlxSmxFe12−xO19 (x= 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) was synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by annealing. The XRD results confirmed the successful incorporation of Al and Sm into the hexaferrite lattice for small dopant concentrations, leading to changes in lattice parameters. The lattice parameter ‘a' remained nearly unchanged, while ‘c' initially increased slightly and then decreased with doping. SEM analysis revealed uniform grain distribution, which is important for consistent material properties. SEM micrographs revealed a reduction in particle size from 116 nm to 58 nm as the doping content increased. Magnetic measurements indicated that doping with Al and Sm, along with the presence of vacancies, significantly modified the magnetic properties. The coercivity increased from 5382.9 G to 7027.7 G. The saturation magnetization, determined using the law of approach to saturation magnetization, decreased from 65.06 emu/g to 37.71 emu/g. The DC electrical resistivity of the synthesized material decreases with increasing temperature, which is characteristic of ferrites and indicates their semiconducting behavior. Moreover, as the doping concentration of Al and Sm increases, the resistivity shows a rising trend—from 9.88 Ω cm to 12.78 Ω cm—suggesting a significant influence of dopant ions on charge transport mechanisms. The dielectric constant increased from 6.07 to 7.91 with doping, while the dielectric loss decreased from 0.075 to 0.049. Additionally, as the temperature increased from 30 °C to 500 °C, the dielectric constant further rose from 6.0751 to 6.3730 to 13.0169 and 21.3484, for x = 0.0 and x = 0.8 respectively. The Cole-Cole plot, used to analyze the complex impedance, exhibited an incomplete semicircle, likely due to multiple relaxation processes that resulted in the flattening of the semicircle. The increase in coercivity and reduction in dielectric loss and increase in dielectric constant makes the synthesized material suitable for high frequency devices.
{"title":"Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of Al and Sm Co-doped M-type hexaferrite for microwave applications","authors":"Ghulam Asghar , Yousaf Iqbal , Fozia Fayyaz Kayani , Muhammad Irshad , Ghulam Hasnain Tariq , Khushbakht Shamraiz , Akif Safeen , Muhammad Iftikhar , Xinman Chen , Muhammad Anis-ur-Rehmah , Abdullah M.S. Alhuthali","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131930","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131930","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of vacancies and the introduction of Al and Sm dopants on the structural and magnetic properties of hexaferrite compounds, as well as how temperature influences their electrical properties. <sup>Samples with composition BaAlxSmxFe12−xO19 (x= 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) was</sup> synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by annealing. The XRD results confirmed the successful incorporation of Al and Sm into the hexaferrite lattice for small dopant concentrations, leading to changes in lattice parameters. The lattice parameter ‘a' remained nearly unchanged, while ‘c' initially increased slightly and then decreased with doping. SEM analysis revealed uniform grain distribution, which is important for consistent material properties. SEM micrographs revealed a reduction in particle size from 116 nm to 58 nm as the doping content increased. Magnetic measurements indicated that doping with Al and Sm, along with the presence of vacancies, significantly modified the magnetic properties. The coercivity increased from 5382.9 G to 7027.7 G. The saturation magnetization, determined using the law of approach to saturation magnetization, decreased from 65.06 emu/g to 37.71 emu/g. The DC electrical resistivity of the synthesized material decreases with increasing temperature, which is characteristic of ferrites and indicates their semiconducting behavior. Moreover, as the doping concentration of Al and Sm increases, the resistivity shows a rising trend—from 9.88 Ω cm to 12.78 Ω cm—suggesting a significant influence of dopant ions on charge transport mechanisms. The dielectric constant increased from 6.07 to 7.91 with doping, while the dielectric loss decreased from 0.075 to 0.049. Additionally, as the temperature increased from 30 °C to 500 °C, the dielectric constant further rose from 6.0751 to 6.3730 to 13.0169 and 21.3484, for x = 0.0 and x = 0.8 respectively. The Cole-Cole plot, used to analyze the complex impedance, exhibited an incomplete semicircle, likely due to multiple relaxation processes that resulted in the flattening of the semicircle. The increase in coercivity and reduction in dielectric loss and increase in dielectric constant makes the synthesized material suitable for high frequency devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131930"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131915
Jun Li , Nannan Sheng , Hesong Jin , Xueyu Wei , Youyu Xu , Jiao Liu
Geopolymer is regarded as the most promising alternative for Portland cement because of its exceptional performance and perfect sustainability. Herein, this study develops clinker-free geopolymer grouting concrete (CFCGC) entirely from industrial by-products, including coal gangue power generation slag, calcium carbide slag, flue-gas desulfurization gypsum, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and coal gangue, providing a sustainable alternative to cement-based materials. CFCGC samples were cured at 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C for 3, 7, and 28 days, and its compressive strength, drying shrinkage, settlement rate, acoustic emission activity, microstructural characteristics, and heavy-metal leaching via toxicity characteristic leaching procedure were systematically studied. Optimal curing at 35 °C yielded the densest microstructure, highest 28-day strength (10.678 MPa), and superior immobilization of Cu, Pb, Cr, Fe, and Zn, with leachate concentrations well below regulatory limits. Microstructural densification reduced pore connectivity, improved heavy-metal encapsulation and prevented groundwater contamination. Acoustic emissions and fractal analyses revealed strong correlations between crack propagation and strength. Compared with traditional cementitious grouts, CFCGC achieved 43.14 % lower carbon emissions, 32.34 % less energy consumption, and 56.89 % cost savings. The combined mechanical durability, thermal stability, and toxin immobilization demonstrate a scalable pathway for upcycling multiple hazardous wastes into low-carbon construction materials. This study advances alkali-activated grouting technology for high-temperature underground environments, supporting waste valorization, circular economy objectives, and long-term environmental protection in mining and geotechnical engineering.
{"title":"Innovative development of sustainable all solid waste-based geopolymer grouting concrete: Fresh, mechanical and microstructural properties and leaching toxicity risk","authors":"Jun Li , Nannan Sheng , Hesong Jin , Xueyu Wei , Youyu Xu , Jiao Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131915","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131915","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geopolymer is regarded as the most promising alternative for Portland cement because of its exceptional performance and perfect sustainability. Herein, this study develops clinker-free geopolymer grouting concrete (CFCGC) entirely from industrial by-products, including coal gangue power generation slag, calcium carbide slag, flue-gas desulfurization gypsum, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and coal gangue, providing a sustainable alternative to cement-based materials. CFCGC samples were cured at 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C for 3, 7, and 28 days, and its compressive strength, drying shrinkage, settlement rate, acoustic emission activity, microstructural characteristics, and heavy-metal leaching via toxicity characteristic leaching procedure were systematically studied. Optimal curing at 35 °C yielded the densest microstructure, highest 28-day strength (10.678 MPa), and superior immobilization of Cu, Pb, Cr, Fe, and Zn, with leachate concentrations well below regulatory limits. Microstructural densification reduced pore connectivity, improved heavy-metal encapsulation and prevented groundwater contamination. Acoustic emissions and fractal analyses revealed strong correlations between crack propagation and strength. Compared with traditional cementitious grouts, CFCGC achieved 43.14 % lower carbon emissions, 32.34 % less energy consumption, and 56.89 % cost savings. The combined mechanical durability, thermal stability, and toxin immobilization demonstrate a scalable pathway for upcycling multiple hazardous wastes into low-carbon construction materials. This study advances alkali-activated grouting technology for high-temperature underground environments, supporting waste valorization, circular economy objectives, and long-term environmental protection in mining and geotechnical engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"350 ","pages":"Article 131915"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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