Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101566
M.A. Almessiere , A. Baykal , S.E. Shirsath , M.A. Gondal , Md Amir , Y. Slimani
The current study examines the effect of Al3+ ion substitution (x = 0.00 – 0.10) on the electrical and dielectric properties of host Co0.25Ni0.25Zn0.25Cu0.25Fe2O4 spinel ferrite nanoparticles (Al → CoNiZnCu SFNPs) which have been synthesized via sol-gel auto combustion method. XRD (X-ray powder Diffraction) analysis confirmed the cubic spinel structure of all products. The crystallite size (DXRD) varies between 35 and 36 nm. AC conductivity increased with frequency (f) and temperature (T), confirming polaron hopping mechanisms. Al³ ⁺ ion substitution altered charge transport by disrupting Fe²⁺–Fe³ ⁺ hopping, increasing resistivity up to x = 0.06 and slightly recovering at higher x due to microstructural effects. Activation energies (Ea), derived from Arrhenius plots, peaked at x = 0.06 and decreased at both extremes, reflecting variable charge mobility. The dielectric constant (ε′) showed strong frequency (f) dispersion and Temperature (T) dependence, decreasing with Al³ ⁺ ion content but rising again at x = 0.08. Dielectric loss (tan δ) revealed relaxation peaks and high loss values at x = 0.06 and 0.10, indicating interfacial polarization and grain boundary conduction. Cole–Cole impedance plots confirmed non-Debye relaxation with dual grain and grain boundary contributions, shifting with Al³ ⁺ ion content and T. These findings confirmed that Al³ ⁺ ion substitution can effectively tune the electrical & dielectric behavior of host Co0.25Ni0.25Zn0.25Cu0.25Fe2O4SFNPs for functional device applications.
{"title":"Role of Al3 + ion substitution in modulating conductivity and interfacial polarization in CoNiCuZn spinel ferrite: Cation distribution study","authors":"M.A. Almessiere , A. Baykal , S.E. Shirsath , M.A. Gondal , Md Amir , Y. Slimani","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current study examines the effect of Al<sup>3+</sup> ion substitution <strong>(x = 0.00 – 0.10)</strong> on the electrical and dielectric properties of host Co<sub>0.25</sub>Ni<sub>0.25</sub>Zn<sub>0.25</sub>Cu<sub>0.25</sub>Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spinel ferrite nanoparticles (<strong>Al → CoNiZnCu SFNPs</strong>) <strong>which have been synthesized via sol-gel auto combustion method</strong>. XRD (X-ray powder Diffraction) analysis confirmed the cubic spinel structure of all products. The crystallite size (D<sub>XRD</sub>) varies between 35 and 36 nm. AC conductivity increased with frequency (<em>f</em>) and temperature (<em>T</em>), confirming polaron hopping mechanisms. Al³ ⁺ <strong>ion</strong> substitution altered charge transport by disrupting Fe²⁺–Fe³ ⁺ hopping, increasing resistivity up to x = 0.06 and slightly recovering at higher x due to microstructural effects. Activation energies (Ea), derived from Arrhenius plots, peaked at x = 0.06 and decreased at both extremes, reflecting variable charge mobility. The dielectric constant (ε′) showed strong <strong>frequency (</strong><em><strong>f)</strong></em> dispersion and <strong>Temperature (</strong><em><strong>T</strong></em><strong>)</strong> dependence, decreasing with Al³ ⁺ ion content but rising again at x = 0.08. Dielectric loss (tan δ) revealed relaxation peaks and high loss values at x = 0.06 and 0.10, indicating interfacial polarization and grain boundary conduction. Cole–Cole impedance plots confirmed non-Debye relaxation with dual grain and grain boundary contributions, shifting with Al³ ⁺ ion content and <em>T</em>. These findings <strong>confirmed</strong> that Al³ ⁺ ion substitution can effectively tune the electrical & dielectric behavior of <strong>host Co</strong><sub><strong>0.25</strong></sub><strong>Ni</strong><sub><strong>0.25</strong></sub><strong>Zn</strong><sub><strong>0.25</strong></sub><strong>Cu</strong><sub><strong>0.25</strong></sub><strong>Fe</strong><sub><strong>2</strong></sub><strong>O</strong><sub><strong>4</strong></sub> <strong>SFNPs</strong> for functional device applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101566"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101565
Mostafa Mohammed Atiyah, Smitha Vijayan
Nosocomial infections, exacerbated by the rise in antimicrobial resistance, represent a critical challenge to global healthcare systems. In response, nanotechnology-integrated phytotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. This review systematically examines the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) as carriers for plant-derived bioactive compounds, with a particular focus on their synergistic antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiofilm activities. Chitosan (CS), a biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide, enhances the stability, solubility, and targeted delivery of encapsulated phytochemicals, thereby amplifying their efficacy against drug-resistant pathogens. We discuss the synthesis, physicochemical properties, and mechanisms of action of chitosan-phytochemical nanoconjugates, including membrane disruption, DNA binding, and metal chelation. Emphasis is placed on recent in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating enhanced antimicrobial performance and the translational potential of these nanoformulations in clinical settings. Challenges such as cytotoxicity, scalability, and regulatory barriers are critically examined. This review highlights the convergence of green nanotechnology and phytomedicine as a forward-looking strategy for developing next-generation therapeutics to combat healthcare-associated infections.
{"title":"Therapeutic potential of chitosan-encapsulated phytochemicals: A review on antimicrobial strategies against nosocomial infections","authors":"Mostafa Mohammed Atiyah, Smitha Vijayan","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101565","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101565","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nosocomial infections, exacerbated by the rise in antimicrobial resistance, represent a critical challenge to global healthcare systems. In response, nanotechnology-integrated phytotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. This review systematically examines the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) as carriers for plant-derived bioactive compounds, with a particular focus on their synergistic antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiofilm activities. Chitosan (CS), a biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide, enhances the stability, solubility, and targeted delivery of encapsulated phytochemicals, thereby amplifying their efficacy against drug-resistant pathogens. We discuss the synthesis, physicochemical properties, and mechanisms of action of chitosan-phytochemical nanoconjugates, including membrane disruption, DNA binding, and metal chelation. Emphasis is placed on recent <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies demonstrating enhanced antimicrobial performance and the translational potential of these nanoformulations in clinical settings. Challenges such as cytotoxicity, scalability, and regulatory barriers are critically examined. This review highlights the convergence of green nanotechnology and phytomedicine as a forward-looking strategy for developing next-generation therapeutics to combat healthcare-associated infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101565"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101563
Ömer Ödemiş , Yusuf Alan , Mehmet Salih Ağırtaş
The present study examines two selenium nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature using extracts of Juglans regia L (green husk walnut) and Mentha piperita L (peppermint). The characteristic structures of GHW-SeNPs and MP-SeNPs were investigated using analytical techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These characterization techniques have revealed both the reducing and stabilizing properties of the organic compounds in the structure of the plants used in the formation of SeNPs. GHW-SeNPs were found to have a polydisperse structure with an average diameter of 66.43 nm, while MP-SeNPs were observed to have a spherical structure and smaller dimensions (average diameter of 23.86 nm). The crystallite size of GHW-SeNPs was determined to be 57.74 nm, while MP-SeNPs were found to be quite pure and measured 29.1 nm. FTIR graphs show that the organic compounds surrounding the selenium atom significantly contribute to the reduction of selenium and the formation of nanoparticles. The biological activities of SeNPs were tested on 3 Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium), 4 Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes) and 3 fungi (Candida albicans, Yarrowia lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). GHW-SeNPs used at increasing concentrations exhibited the best antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with inhibition zone diameters of 25 mm. MP-SeNPs exhibited more antifungal activity, showing high activity against Candida albicans with an inhibition zone diameter of 24 mm. The data obtained on the activities of the MP-SeNP and GHW-SeNP particles we synthesized using an environmentally friendly method will contribute to future pharmacological studies.
{"title":"Plant-mediated synthesis of selenium nanoparticles via Juglans regia and Mentha piperita: A dual-source approach for antimicrobial applications","authors":"Ömer Ödemiş , Yusuf Alan , Mehmet Salih Ağırtaş","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101563","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101563","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study examines two selenium nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature using extracts of <em>Juglans regia L</em> (green husk walnut) and <em>Mentha piperita L</em> (peppermint). The characteristic structures of GHW-SeNPs and MP-SeNPs were investigated using analytical techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These characterization techniques have revealed both the reducing and stabilizing properties of the organic compounds in the structure of the plants used in the formation of SeNPs. GHW-SeNPs were found to have a polydisperse structure with an average diameter of 66.43 nm, while MP-SeNPs were observed to have a spherical structure and smaller dimensions (average diameter of 23.86 nm). The crystallite size of GHW-SeNPs was determined to be 57.74 nm, while MP-SeNPs were found to be quite pure and measured 29.1 nm. FTIR graphs show that the organic compounds surrounding the selenium atom significantly contribute to the reduction of selenium and the formation of nanoparticles. The biological activities of SeNPs were tested on 3 Gram-positive bacteria (<em>Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium</em>), 4 Gram-negative bacteria (<em>Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes</em>) and 3 fungi (<em>Candida albicans, Yarrowia lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>). GHW-SeNPs used at increasing concentrations exhibited the best antibacterial activity against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> with inhibition zone diameters of 25 mm. MP-SeNPs exhibited more antifungal activity, showing high activity against <em>Candida albicans</em> with an inhibition zone diameter of 24 mm. The data obtained on the activities of the MP-SeNP and GHW-SeNP particles we synthesized using an environmentally friendly method will contribute to future pharmacological studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101563"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101562
Sana boutagount , Abdeslam El Fanaoui , Nadya Douihi , Bahcine Bakiz , Abdeljalil Benlhachemi , Aziz Taoufyq , Ahmed Ihlal
Energy production and storage systems are of prime importance for both scientific research and end-users, given the urgent need to reduce environmental and climatic impacts associated with conventional energy technologies. Energy storage plays a key role in managing the balance between supply and demand, while mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The development of these systems is therefore essential if we are to meet today’s energy challenges. With this in mind, advanced materials stand out as promising solutions for applications in solar cells and storage systems. These materials offer significant advantages, such as lower production costs and enhanced efficiency. Their abundance in Earth’s crust and their non-toxicity reinforce their relevance for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of solar cell technologies and the fundamentals of energy storage systems, with a particular focus on the convergence of materials engineering and storage strategies. Special attention is devoted to thin films, including two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, metal oxides, and emerging alternative thin films, highlighting their roles in improving charge transport, stability, and overall device performance. The integration of these materials into alternative energy storage systems is also discussed, underscoring their capacity to combine high efficiency with environmental compatibility. The findings reveal both the opportunities and limitations of thin films in advancing solar energy conversion and energy storage. While remarkable progress has been achieved in terms of efficiency and stability, challenges such as large-scale integration, cost reduction, and long-term durability remain critical. Finally, the review emphasizes future directions, pointing to the need for multidisciplinary approaches and the exploration of novel material combinations to enable the next generation of sustainable energy systems.
{"title":"Innovative materials for energy storage systems and photovoltaic solar technologies: A review","authors":"Sana boutagount , Abdeslam El Fanaoui , Nadya Douihi , Bahcine Bakiz , Abdeljalil Benlhachemi , Aziz Taoufyq , Ahmed Ihlal","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Energy production and storage systems are of prime importance for both scientific research and end-users, given the urgent need to reduce environmental and climatic impacts associated with conventional energy technologies. Energy storage plays a key role in managing the balance between supply and demand, while mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The development of these systems is therefore essential if we are to meet today’s energy challenges. With this in mind, advanced materials stand out as promising solutions for applications in solar cells and storage systems. These materials offer significant advantages, such as lower production costs and enhanced efficiency. Their abundance in Earth’s crust and their non-toxicity reinforce their relevance for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of solar cell technologies and the fundamentals of energy storage systems, with a particular focus on the convergence of materials engineering and storage strategies. Special attention is devoted to thin films, including two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, metal oxides, and emerging alternative thin films, highlighting their roles in improving charge transport, stability, and overall device performance. The integration of these materials into alternative energy storage systems is also discussed, underscoring their capacity to combine high efficiency with environmental compatibility. The findings reveal both the opportunities and limitations of thin films in advancing solar energy conversion and energy storage. While remarkable progress has been achieved in terms of efficiency and stability, challenges such as large-scale integration, cost reduction, and long-term durability remain critical. Finally, the review emphasizes future directions, pointing to the need for multidisciplinary approaches and the exploration of novel material combinations to enable the next generation of sustainable energy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101562"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145263496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101560
Nivishna R, Anilkumar P, Nisha Jenifar A
The rapid rise in industrialization and urbanization has significantly increased air pollution, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. Although various gas detection methods have been developed, they often suffer from high costs, complex operation, and limited suitability for real-time monitoring. To address these challenges, extensive research has focused on developing efficient environmental sensors, progressing from theoretical studies to practical applications. Among these, Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS)-based gas sensors have emerged as a promising option owing to their cost-effectiveness, high sensitivity, selectivity, and reliable performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in gas sensor technology, with particular emphasis on synthesis techniques, morphological modifications, and the gas-sensing mechanisms of MOS materials. Furthermore, it highlights the critical relationship between material properties and sensor performance and discusses future research directions aimed at advancing MOS-based gas sensing technologies.
{"title":"High-performance gas sensors based on nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors: Materials engineering and sensing mechanisms","authors":"Nivishna R, Anilkumar P, Nisha Jenifar A","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101560","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101560","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid rise in industrialization and urbanization has significantly increased air pollution, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. Although various gas detection methods have been developed, they often suffer from high costs, complex operation, and limited suitability for real-time monitoring. To address these challenges, extensive research has focused on developing efficient environmental sensors, progressing from theoretical studies to practical applications. Among these, Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS)-based gas sensors have emerged as a promising option owing to their cost-effectiveness, high sensitivity, selectivity, and reliable performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in gas sensor technology, with particular emphasis on synthesis techniques, morphological modifications, and the gas-sensing mechanisms of MOS materials. Furthermore, it highlights the critical relationship between material properties and sensor performance and discusses future research directions aimed at advancing MOS-based gas sensing technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101560"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145263495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101561
A.M. Dorgham, Rania Farouq
Photocatalytic alcohol decomposition is crucial for the preparation of valuable organics, and efficient treatment of isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-contaminated water is a priority in the semiconductor industry. In this study, Fe2O3 nanoparticles were developed as a photoactive, environmentally friendly catalyst for the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone. The catalyst demonstrated high efficiency in an oxidative process utilizing O2 as the sole oxidant, without the need for additional surfactants or nitrogenous bases. The novelty of the process lies in the combination of sonolysis and photocatalysis, which enhances mass transfer and accelerates acetone production. Characterization of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This approach provides a promising strategy for the rapid mineralization of isopropanol, offering potential applications in the semiconductor industry by reducing both processing time and costs.
{"title":"Ultrasound-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of isopropanol using Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles","authors":"A.M. Dorgham, Rania Farouq","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photocatalytic alcohol decomposition is crucial for the preparation of valuable organics, and efficient treatment of isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-contaminated water is a priority in the semiconductor industry. In this study, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles were developed as a photoactive, environmentally friendly catalyst for the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone. The catalyst demonstrated high efficiency in an oxidative process utilizing O<sub>2</sub> as the sole oxidant, without the need for additional surfactants or nitrogenous bases. The novelty of the process lies in the combination of sonolysis and photocatalysis, which enhances mass transfer and accelerates acetone production. Characterization of the Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles was conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This approach provides a promising strategy for the rapid mineralization of isopropanol, offering potential applications in the semiconductor industry by reducing both processing time and costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101561"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145263497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101559
Qamar Wali , Sidra Yousaf , Nahin Ar Rabbani , It Ee Lee
Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) network are promising alternatives to transparent conducting oxides and are being used as flexible transparent conducting electrodes in various optoelectronic devices. Indium tin oxide (ITO) deposited on a glass/polymer substrate mostly employs conducting electrodes in third-generation solar cells. This work has replaced expensive ITO with an inexpensive Ag NWs network deposited on glass substrate that acts as semi-transparent top electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The synthesized electrodes show transparency in the range of 80–91 % and sheet resistance as low as 50 Ω cm−2. The photovoltaic parameters of the fabricated DSSC are ∼0.54 V, 10.28 mA cm−2, 3.38 % for open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, power conversion efficiency, respectively. The AgNWs based electrode shows promise as a cost effective transparent conducting electrode. It is a proof of concept that can be expanded to improve power conversion efficiency in futuristic devices.
{"title":"Silver nanowires network for transparent electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell","authors":"Qamar Wali , Sidra Yousaf , Nahin Ar Rabbani , It Ee Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101559","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) network are promising alternatives to transparent conducting oxides and are being used as flexible transparent conducting electrodes in various optoelectronic devices. Indium tin oxide (ITO) deposited on a glass/polymer substrate mostly employs conducting electrodes in third-generation solar cells. This work has replaced expensive ITO with an inexpensive Ag NWs network deposited on glass substrate that acts as semi-transparent top electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The synthesized electrodes show transparency in the range of 80–91 % and sheet resistance as low as 50 Ω cm<sup>−2</sup>. The photovoltaic parameters of the fabricated DSSC are ∼0.54 V, 10.28 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, 3.38 % for open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, power conversion efficiency, respectively. The AgNWs based electrode shows promise as a cost effective transparent conducting electrode. It is a proof of concept that can be expanded to improve power conversion efficiency in futuristic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101559"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-27DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101558
Marcondes L. da S. Azevedo , Evanimek B.S. da Silva , Jakeline R.D. dos Santos , Kelly C. Gomes , Júlio C. de O. Freitas , Carlos A. Martínez-Huitle , Marco A. Morales
The production of pulp from Euterpe oleracea Mart. palm fruits (açaí) generates a significant amount of primary solid waste, whose inadequate disposal poses environmental risks. The açaí seeds ash contains iron compounds and was used as an electrocatalyst in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. The ashes were obtained by calcination of açaí seeds. The samples were characterized by several techniques, including XRF, XRD, TEM, FTIR, Mössbauer and magnetometry. The Mössbauer results revealed the presence of metal iron (α-Fe) and magnetite (Fe3O4). The electrochemical evaluation demonstrated that açaí seeds ash had promising catalytic activity for OER, exhibiting an overpotential of 349 mV at 10 mA cm−2. The analysis of the Tafel curve indicated a superior electron transfer kinetics of 61 mV dec−1, and the chronopotentiometry tests for 16 h showed electrochemical stability. The catalytic performance was attributed to the biochar composition, rich in iron in several oxidation states, which facilitates the charge transfer. These results suggested that açaí seed ash can be a valuable source for the development of efficient electrocatalysts for OER, contributing to the production of hydrogen and the circular economy.
马齿苋纸浆的生产。棕榈果(açaí)产生大量的初级固体废物,其处置不当造成环境风险。açaí种子灰分含有铁化合物,并被用作析氧反应(OER)过程中的电催化剂。灰烬是通过煅烧açaí种子获得的。采用XRF、XRD、TEM、FTIR、Mössbauer和磁强计等技术对样品进行了表征。Mössbauer结果显示,样品中存在金属铁(α-Fe)和磁铁矿(Fe3O4)。电化学评价表明açaí种子灰分对OER具有良好的催化活性,在10 mA cm−2下表现出349 mV的过电位。Tafel曲线分析表明,该材料具有61 mV dec−1的优异电子传递动力学,16 h的时间电位测试表明其具有电化学稳定性。生物炭在多种氧化态下富含铁元素,有利于电荷转移。这些结果表明,açaí种子灰可以成为开发高效OER电催化剂的宝贵资源,有助于氢气的生产和循环经济。
{"title":"Iron compounds from Euterpe oleracea Mart (açai) seed ash as electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction","authors":"Marcondes L. da S. Azevedo , Evanimek B.S. da Silva , Jakeline R.D. dos Santos , Kelly C. Gomes , Júlio C. de O. Freitas , Carlos A. Martínez-Huitle , Marco A. Morales","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101558","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101558","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The production of pulp from <em>Euterpe oleracea</em> Mart. palm fruits (açaí) generates a significant amount of primary solid waste, whose inadequate disposal poses environmental risks. The açaí seeds ash contains iron compounds and was used as an electrocatalyst in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. The ashes were obtained by calcination of açaí seeds. The samples were characterized by several techniques, including XRF, XRD, TEM, FTIR, Mössbauer and magnetometry. The Mössbauer results revealed the presence of metal iron (α-Fe) and magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>). The electrochemical evaluation demonstrated that açaí seeds ash had promising catalytic activity for OER, exhibiting an overpotential of 349 mV at 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. The analysis of the Tafel curve indicated a superior electron transfer kinetics of 61 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, and the chronopotentiometry tests for 16 h showed electrochemical stability. The catalytic performance was attributed to the biochar composition, rich in iron in several oxidation states, which facilitates the charge transfer. These results suggested that açaí seed ash can be a valuable source for the development of efficient electrocatalysts for OER, contributing to the production of hydrogen and the circular economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101558"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The study explored the preparation of plant extract from Thuja occidentalis and the green synthesis of Ytterbium (Yb) doped ferrite nanoparticles, including MgFe2O4, CuFe2O4 and MgCuFe2O4. The plant extract was prepared by boiling fresh Thuja occidentalis leaves in distilled water and subsequently filtering the solution. The extract, abundant in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent in the precipitation-based synthesis of Yb doped ferrite nanoparticles. The molar ratios of the metals were maintained to achieve desired doping levels and NaOH was added to induce precipitation, which was then calcined to produce ferrite nanoparticles. The photocatalytic and antioxidant activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under visible light and DPPH radical scavenging assays, respectively. Characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XPS, SEM-EDS, TEM and VSM spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis, structural integrity, functional and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The results revealed that Yb doped CuFe2O4 ferrites exhibited superior photocatalytic and antioxidant activities compared to the other ferrite nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for environmental and health-related applications.
{"title":"Catalytic properties of Thuja occidentalis green synthesized Yb doped MgFe2O4, CuFe2O4 and MgCuFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles","authors":"Nisha Devi , Kuldeep Kumar , Ashwani Kumar , Naveen Thakur","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study explored the preparation of plant extract from <em>Thuja occidentalis</em> and the green synthesis of Ytterbium (Yb) doped ferrite nanoparticles, including MgFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and MgCuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. The plant extract was prepared by boiling fresh <em>Thuja occidentalis</em> leaves in distilled water and subsequently filtering the solution. The extract, abundant in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent in the precipitation-based synthesis of Yb doped ferrite nanoparticles. The molar ratios of the metals were maintained to achieve desired doping levels and NaOH was added to induce precipitation, which was then calcined to produce ferrite nanoparticles. The photocatalytic and antioxidant activities of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under visible light and DPPH radical scavenging assays, respectively. Characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XPS, SEM-EDS, TEM and VSM spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis, structural integrity, functional and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The results revealed that Yb doped CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> ferrites exhibited superior photocatalytic and antioxidant activities compared to the other ferrite nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for environmental and health-related applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101554"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101557
L.C. Chagüendo-Figueroa , D.F. Coral , G. Bolaños-Pantoja , J.E. Diosa , E. Mosquera-Vargas , J.E. Rodríguez-Páez
A plastic waste, amber poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), was used to obtain carbon microneedles, using iron oxide microparticles (IOMPs) that acted as nucleation points to favor the growth of the carbon structure. The IOMPs were synthesized using the precipitation method, in atmospheres of air and of nitrogen and characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and EDAX spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized particles showed magnetite (Fe3O4) as their main crystalline phase, a submicron size and a morphology that varied depending on the atmosphere used: spheroidal and laminar, in air, and spherical, on using nitrogen. The amber PET was then placed on quartz substrates previously impregnated with IOMPs, to be subjected to a pyrolysis process at 700 °C. These carbon-based structures were found to have an acicular morphology, with a submicron width, and length in the micron range. These showed an elemental chemical composition of ∼ 95 % (wt%) C, ∼ 2.6 % (wt%) O, ∼ 2.4 % (wt%) Si and ∼ 0.4 % Fe, on average.
{"title":"Using amber poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste to obtain carbon microneedles","authors":"L.C. Chagüendo-Figueroa , D.F. Coral , G. Bolaños-Pantoja , J.E. Diosa , E. Mosquera-Vargas , J.E. Rodríguez-Páez","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A plastic waste, amber poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), was used to obtain carbon microneedles, using iron oxide microparticles (IOMPs) that acted as nucleation points to favor the growth of the carbon structure. The IOMPs were synthesized using the precipitation method, in atmospheres of air and of nitrogen and characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and EDAX spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized particles showed magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) as their main crystalline phase, a submicron size and a morphology that varied depending on the atmosphere used: spheroidal and laminar, in air, and spherical, on using nitrogen. The amber PET was then placed on quartz substrates previously impregnated with IOMPs, to be subjected to a pyrolysis process at 700 °C. These carbon-based structures were found to have an acicular morphology, with a submicron width, and length in the micron range. These showed an elemental chemical composition of ∼ 95 % (wt%) C, ∼ 2.6 % (wt%) O, ∼ 2.4 % (wt%) Si and ∼ 0.4 % Fe, on average.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101557"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}