Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub 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":"2025-12-01","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub 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":"2025-12-01","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101576
Laura Verenis López De Arriba , Oxana V. Kharissova , Alexander L. Nikolaev , Boris I. Kharisov
Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) emit light through a specific type of photoluminescence in which light emission is very rapid and is quenched almost immediately upon removal of the light source. To enhance the fluorescent properties of FNDs, a sustainable synthesis and functionalization strategy was developed by combined physicochemical treatments. The primary nanodiamonds (NDs) were obtained using a hydrothermal method and subsequently functionalized using ascorbic acid (AA), theraphthal (TP), urea (UR), and 30 % hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The surface activation was enhanced by applying direct ultrasound treatment for 15 and 20 h, along with ozone (O3) exposure for 0.75 and 1.5 h, followed by ultrasound for 5 h. Prior to the final functionalization step, the NDs suspensions were subjected to a cleaning process by centrifugation and filtration with 200 nm membranes. After functionalization, the samples were duly characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, ζ-potential analysis and electron microscopy, i.e., HR-TEM and SEM. From the detailed analyses, incorporation of oxidative and nitrogen-containing functional groups on the NDs was confirmed. Which was further corroborated by the appearance of a faint blue to lime-green photoluminescence (∼500–520 nm), which is attributed to nitrogen-related defects near the surface (with N–V–N as the most consistent interpretation under our conditions). It is deduced that, the combined treatment with O3 and ultrasound effectively favored the formation of the emissive centers and significantly reduced the duration of the experimental process. FNDs developed by this method have been shown to be extremely stable and resistant to photo-bleaching, making them highly useful for long-term bioimaging applications, diagnostics and drug release systems.
{"title":"Multimodal functionalization of nanodiamonds for advanced biomedical and optoelectronic applications","authors":"Laura Verenis López De Arriba , Oxana V. Kharissova , Alexander L. Nikolaev , Boris I. Kharisov","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) emit light through a specific type of photoluminescence in which light emission is very rapid and is quenched almost immediately upon removal of the light source. To enhance the fluorescent properties of FNDs, a sustainable synthesis and functionalization strategy was developed by combined physicochemical treatments. The primary nanodiamonds (NDs) were obtained using a hydrothermal method and subsequently functionalized using ascorbic acid (AA), theraphthal (TP), urea (UR), and 30 % hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>). The surface activation was enhanced by applying direct ultrasound treatment for 15 and 20 h, along with ozone (O<sub>3</sub>) exposure for 0.75 and 1.5 h, followed by ultrasound for 5 h. Prior to the final functionalization step, the NDs suspensions were subjected to a cleaning process by centrifugation and filtration with 200 nm membranes. After functionalization, the samples were duly characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, ζ-potential analysis and electron microscopy, i.e., HR-TEM and SEM. From the detailed analyses, incorporation of oxidative and nitrogen-containing functional groups on the NDs was confirmed. Which was further corroborated by the appearance of a faint blue to lime-green photoluminescence (∼500–520 nm), which is attributed to nitrogen-related defects near the surface (with N–V–N as the most consistent interpretation under our conditions). It is deduced that, the combined treatment with O<sub>3</sub> and ultrasound effectively favored the formation of the emissive centers and significantly reduced the duration of the experimental process. FNDs developed by this method have been shown to be extremely stable and resistant to photo-bleaching, making them highly useful for long-term bioimaging applications, diagnostics and drug release systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101576"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525885","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-27DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101583
Stephen James Ijimdiya , Racheal Ukachi Ijimdiya , Abduljelil Ajala , Nura Idris Abdullahi
Nanomaterials provide novel approaches to the detection, elimination, and degradation of pollutants, they have become revolutionary agents in the fight against the world's water problems. This is because they function better than traditional treatment techniques, thanks to their special physicochemical characteristics, which include a high surface-to-volume ratio, adjustable surface chemistry, and remarkable catalytic activity. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of current advancements in nanomaterials utilized in water treatment, encompassing membrane filtration, photocatalysis, adsorption, and antibacterial applications. Reaction pathways and surface contact models provide mechanistic insights into how nanostructures improve selectivity and reactivity. With special attention on how nanoparticles promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), excellent health (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13), key case studies illustrate the removal of heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pathogens. Alongside tactics like material functionalization, hybrid systems, and green synthesis techniques, issues like toxicity, stability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory inadequacies are thoroughly assessed. The assessment concludes by outlining potential future developments, including the incorporation of nanotechnology with smart sensing, the concepts of the circular economy, and widespread implementation for sustainable water management.
{"title":"A comprehensive review of the innovations, applications, and future prospects of nanomaterials in water treatment","authors":"Stephen James Ijimdiya , Racheal Ukachi Ijimdiya , Abduljelil Ajala , Nura Idris Abdullahi","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nanomaterials provide novel approaches to the detection, elimination, and degradation of pollutants, they have become revolutionary agents in the fight against the world's water problems. This is because they function better than traditional treatment techniques, thanks to their special physicochemical characteristics, which include a high surface-to-volume ratio, adjustable surface chemistry, and remarkable catalytic activity. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of current advancements in nanomaterials utilized in water treatment, encompassing membrane filtration, photocatalysis, adsorption, and antibacterial applications. Reaction pathways and surface contact models provide mechanistic insights into how nanostructures improve selectivity and reactivity. With special attention on how nanoparticles promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), excellent health (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13), key case studies illustrate the removal of heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pathogens. Alongside tactics like material functionalization, hybrid systems, and green synthesis techniques, issues like toxicity, stability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory inadequacies are thoroughly assessed. The assessment concludes by outlining potential future developments, including the incorporation of nanotechnology with smart sensing, the concepts of the circular economy, and widespread implementation for sustainable water management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101583"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145619941","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 : 2025-12-01Epub 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":"2025-12-01","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101573
Natasha Aziera Akashah , Norhafezaidi Mat Saman , Mohd Hafizi Ahmad , Zulkarnain Ahmad Noorden , Aizat Azmi , Khaled Abdou Ahmed Abdou Elsehsah , Azfar Satari Abdullah , Rizda Fitri Kurnia
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained global attention due to their remarkable mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability, making them ideal for a wide range of advanced applications. This review presents a comprehensive exploration of CNTs synthesis methods, highlighting the progression from conventional techniques such as arc discharge (AD), laser ablation (LA), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), carbonization, and combustion to non-conventional and plasma-assisted methods. While conventional methods have been effective in producing high-quality CNTs, they often exhibit critical limitations including poor chirality control, limited scalability, and the need for post-synthesis purification. Recent innovations involve the use of plasma-based systems, such as capacitively coupled plasma (CCP), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), microwave plasma (MP), plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), and atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) have enabled more precise control over growth parameters, improved CNTs alignment, and reduced defect formation at lower processing temperatures. The integration of external magnetic or electromagnetic fields into plasma systems further enhances CNTs alignment, crystallinity, and structural uniformity by stabilizing plasma behavior and optimizing ion trajectories. The synthesis parameters, including electrode configuration and precursor gases such as methane, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon (CH₄, N₂, O₂, Ar) are critically reviewed. Furthermore, this study discusses the importance of characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) in evaluating CNTs quality. The relationship between synthesis parameters and resulting CNTs properties is also highlighted, offering valuable insights toward specific applications. Finally, the main challenges and future directions are addressed, particularly in the context of scale-up, real time process control, and environmentally sustainable CNTs manufacturing.
{"title":"Advances in carbon nanotubes synthesis: From conventional methods to non-conventional plasma-assisted methods","authors":"Natasha Aziera Akashah , Norhafezaidi Mat Saman , Mohd Hafizi Ahmad , Zulkarnain Ahmad Noorden , Aizat Azmi , Khaled Abdou Ahmed Abdou Elsehsah , Azfar Satari Abdullah , Rizda Fitri Kurnia","doi":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained global attention due to their remarkable mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability, making them ideal for a wide range of advanced applications. This review presents a comprehensive exploration of CNTs synthesis methods, highlighting the progression from conventional techniques such as arc discharge (AD), laser ablation (LA), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), carbonization, and combustion to non-conventional and plasma-assisted methods. While conventional methods have been effective in producing high-quality CNTs, they often exhibit critical limitations including poor chirality control, limited scalability, and the need for post-synthesis purification. Recent innovations involve the use of plasma-based systems, such as capacitively coupled plasma (CCP), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), microwave plasma (MP), plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), and atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) have enabled more precise control over growth parameters, improved CNTs alignment, and reduced defect formation at lower processing temperatures. The integration of external magnetic or electromagnetic fields into plasma systems further enhances CNTs alignment, crystallinity, and structural uniformity by stabilizing plasma behavior and optimizing ion trajectories. The synthesis parameters, including electrode configuration and precursor gases such as methane, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon (CH₄, N₂, O₂, Ar) are critically reviewed. Furthermore, this study discusses the importance of characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) in evaluating CNTs quality. The relationship between synthesis parameters and resulting CNTs properties is also highlighted, offering valuable insights toward specific applications. Finally, the main challenges and future directions are addressed, particularly in the context of scale-up, real time process control, and environmentally sustainable CNTs manufacturing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":397,"journal":{"name":"Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101573"},"PeriodicalIF":5.45,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145463163","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 : 2025-12-01Epub 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":"2025-12-01","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 : 2025-12-01Epub 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":"2025-12-01","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-20DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2025.101553
Thi Hanh Trang Dang , Quan-Doan Mai , Thi Linh Dong , Trung Thanh Nguyen , Thi Loan Ngo , Thi Lan Nguyen , Xuan Quang Nguyen , Ta Ngoc Bach , Anh-Tuan Pham , Anh-Tuan Le
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique capable of directly detecting target molecules with ultrasensitivity down to the single-molecule level via their characteristic vibrational fingerprints. While SERS has achieved significant success in detecting various analytes such as organic dyes, pesticides, explosives, and bacteria, the direct detection of glucose – a vital biomarker for diabetes diagnosis and management – remains challenging due to its low affinity for bare metal surfaces and inherently weak Raman scattering cross-section. Despite these limitations, SERS offers a promising alternative to traditional enzyme-based glucose detection methods, which require invasive blood sampling and are highly susceptible to environmental fluctuations such as pH and temperature. In this work, we report the design of Fe3O4@C/Ag nanostructures as a high-performance SERS substrate for non-invasive, enzyme-free, and ultrasensitive glucose detection in artificial urine. The carbon shell provides good glucose adsorption, while the Ag coating ensures strong plasmonic enhancement. Notably, we introduce a magnetic-assisted SERS (MA-SERS) strategy in which the Fe3O4@C/Ag nanostructures are dispersed into urine samples to capture glucose and subsequently magnetically retrieved for SERS analysis. This platform enables direct glucose detection at concentrations as low as 0.21 mM, significantly below the clinical prediabetes threshold (5.6 mM), with excellent recovery values ranging from 92 % to 109 %. These results demonstrate the strong potential of the MA-SERS approach as a practical, non-invasive, and enzyme-free diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of diabetes.
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