Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

In this study, silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs@SiO₂) were synthesized using Curcuma longa (turmeric) leaf extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. This eco-friendly synthesis eliminates the use of toxic chemicals, making the process sustainable and economically viable. The primary goal of the research was to explore the potential anticancer properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. Comprehensive characterization confirmed uniform spherical morphology with an average particle size of 48.2 ± 5 to 54.4 ± 4.5 (mean ± SD nm), a specific surface area of 71.22 m²/g, and magnetic saturation values of 0.38 emu/g for MNPs and 0.16 emu/g for MNPs@SiO₂. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was evaluated against human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) using the MTT assay. Cell death percentages for 10–50 ng/mL concentrations ranged from 2.7 ± 3.1% to 23.9 ± 4.5%, showing a dose-dependent inhibition pattern with an IC₅₀ value of 100.97 ng/mL, indicating notable anticancer efficacy. The observed cytotoxicity is attributed to synergistic effects between the magnetic core and bioactive phytochemicals from turmeric extract.

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Graphene-like structured molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is an indirect band gap material suitable as a supporting platform for developing nanosensors. The presence of abundant edge sites and the high surface area in its nanoflower morphology enhance its catalytic activity, making it a superior material for electrochemical sensing. The present work describes the use of silver nanoparticles decorated on flower-like structured molybdenum disulfide to improve charge-transfer properties and thereby increase the sensitivity toward acetaminophen. Here, MoS₂ is prepared by a conventional hydrothermal method, followed by chemical reduction of silver to produce Ag/MoS₂ nanostructures. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the synthesized material were characterized to evaluate its potential for sensor applications. A carbon paste electrode was modified with Ag/MoS₂ and utilized for the electrochemical sensing of acetaminophen. Electrochemical techniques such as CV and EIS were employed to understand the effects of pH, active layer thickness, scan rate, and charge-transport properties across the electrodes. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique was used to study the effect of analyte concentration on anodic current and for the construction of the calibration plot. Interference, reproducibility, repeatability, and shelf-life were also analyzed. The electrochemical sensor exhibited an excellent operational range of 8 × 10⁻³ to 8 × 10⁻⁵ M with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.35 µM. In comparison to other similar acetaminophen sensors, the present sensor offers the advantages of highly basic operating conditions, low cost, ease of fabrication, and surface renewability. Real-life analysis using commercially available APAP drug samples showed excellent recovery percentages.

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The study looked at a safe method to synthesize copper-zinc silicate nanoparticles (Cu-Zn Silicate NPs) using gum Arabic as green eco-friendly method. HRTEM imaging, Zeta potential, DLS assessment, EDX elemental analysis, FTIR analysis and SEM with mapping were used to validate the formed Cu-Zn Silicate NPs. The efficacy of Cu-Zn silicate NPs in inhibiting certain Candida species that cause wound infections was assessed by evaluating their capacity to stop their proliferation, the minimum amount needed to inhibit pathogenic yeast growth, and their ability to stop biofilm formation. To determine the kinetic analysis and possible mechanism of the antifungal response, the membrane leakage test was performed. In antifungal tests against C. albicans, the synthesized Cu-Zn silicate NPs possessed a promising zone of inhibition as 49.0 ± 0.2 mm possessed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) as 0.390 µg/mL, 43.0 ± 0.3 mm for C. glabrata as 0.781 µg/mL MIC, and 31.0 ± 0.5 mm for C. krusei as 6.250 µg/mL MIC. Additionally, Cu-Zn silicate NPs active against C. tropicalis (26.0 ± 0.3 mm ZOI with 12.50 µg/mL MIC) and against C. auris (23.0 ± 0.2 mm ZOI with 6.250 µg/mL MIC). In antibiofilm test, C. albicans treated with Cu-Zn silicate NPs showed the most significant reduction in biofilm production as 96.23%, followed by C. krusei as 95.61%, and C. glabrata as 85.64%. The promising results indicated that the synthesized nanoparticles could be utilized against pathogenic yeasts, as the present research opens an exciting new phase for fighting the resistance of various diseases in biomedical areas like candidiasis.

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Boron-nitrogen nanostructures (molecules and clusters, nanowires, nanotubes; thin films, etc.) have been actively studied in recent years due to their unique physical and chemical properties. These materials hold promise for applications in electronic devices, hydrogen storage, nanodots, and high-strength fibres. In this study we performed a systematic search of B_nN_m molecules in a wide area of compositions (0 ≤ n, m ≤ 10) using the evolutionary algorithm USPEX and DFT calculations. We identified a diverse set of structural patterns based on molecular size and B/N ratio. By several criteria (second-order energy differences, fragmentation energies and HOMO-LUMO gaps), we found the most stable (“magic”) molecules, which can be formed spontaneously and accumulate in significant concentrations and may serve as building blocks and intermediates for the synthesis and growth of B–N nanoformations. We also revealed that some nitrogen-rich compounds (BN₃, BN₉, B₃N₅, B₄N₆ and B₆N₉) are both “magic” and release significant energy during their decomposition, which indicates their possible application as high-energy-density materials (HEDMs).

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanostructures with diverse morphologies were successfully synthesised via an autoclave-assisted route by varying synthesis conditions under a fixed precursor composition. The influence of different structure-directing agents on the morphology of ZnFe₂O₄ was investigated in detail. Structural confirmation was obtained through X-ray diffraction (XRD), while morphological evolution was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical performance was assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analysis. Among the prepared samples, ZnFe₂O₄ prepared with the assistance of oxalic acid exhibited a well-aligned stacked rod-like morphology and delivered the highest specific capacitance of 385 F/g within the potential window of 0 to 0.55 V at 1 A/g. The improved electrochemical performance of the stacked rod is due to its directional structure, which allows ions to move quickly and store charge efficiently. This study uniquely provides comparative insight into morphology control via hydrothermal versus solvothermal syntheses using identical precursors, establishing ZnFe₂O₄ as a promising electrode for scalable, high-performance supercapacitor applications.

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A novel S-scheme ZnFe₂O₄-bentonite-NiO (ZF-BT-NO) magnetic heterojunction was designed for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of xanthate under solar irradiation. The ZF-BT-NO photocatalyst achieved a high degradation efficiency of 93.57% within 120 min, demonstrating superior activity compared to individual components. Radical trapping experiments revealed that superoxide radicals were the dominant reactive species, confirming the S-scheme charge-transfer pathway as the key mechanism. The catalyst exhibited excellent reusability, and stability, as validated by seed germination assays. Moreover, its effective performance in real water matrices highlights its potential for practical wastewater treatment. This work provides a sustainable and efficient strategy for removing persistent organic pollutants using S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but multiple side effects like systemic toxicity and multidrug resistance are associated with it, which reduce its therapeutic efficiency. Combination therapy is a useful approach to reducing the toxicity of PTX. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenolic compound with intrinsic photosensitizing properties and can enhance therapeutic efficacy when combined with PTX. In the present study, CUR and PTX were co-encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles at a drug ratio of 2:1 using the single emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Physicochemical characterization, including UV- vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and polydispersity index of synthesized CUR-PTX NPs, was performed. The in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated against three different cell lines (RD, Hep-2, BT-474), treated with free CUR, free PTX, and CUR-PTX NPs, followed by the irradiation of light to activate the CUR’s photosensitizing effect. Cells were treated with the double concentration of free drugs relative to the drug in NPs, to study the dose-dependent combined effect of drugs. MTT assay of treated cells revealed an improved cytotoxicity of CUR-PTX NPs compared to free drugs. Combinational index analysis also demonstrated a strong synergistic effect between CUR and PTX in NPs. The reactive oxygen species assay was conducted at multiple time points to determine the maximum ROS production contributing to the enhanced cell death. The findings of the present study highlight the potential of CUR-PTX NPs as a synergistic chemo-photodynamic platform for reducing PTX dose-related toxicity and enhancing anti-cancer efficacy.

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ZnS-MoS₂ nanocomposites were synthesized via a hydrothermal approach and systematically studied for evaluating their photocatalytic and antibacterial performances. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the formation of phase-pure hexagonal ZnS and 2H-MoS₂, exhibited and demonstrated distinct diffraction peaks of both constituents of the composite. FESEM images revealed nanoscale ZnS particles uniformly anchored on layered MoS₂ sheets, forming an intimate interfacial heterojunction. FTIR and XPS analyses validated the coexistence of Zn, Mo, and S elements in their expected oxidation states, while subtle variations in binding energies and vibrational bands reflected interfacial interactions between ZnS and MoS₂. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) indicated enhanced visible-light absorption for the composites, with an estimated band gap of approximately 2.72 eV. N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements revealed that the ZnS-MoS₂ nanocomposite exhibited a higher specific surface area than pure ZnS and MoS₂, implying the availability of more active surface sites for reactant adsorption and efficient charge transfer across the heterointerface during photocatalysis. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited pronounced emission quenching for the composites, confirming suppressed charge recombination and effective carrier separation. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that the ZnS-MoS₂ nanocomposite achieved 88.08% degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and 94.71% of Rhodamine B (RhB) within 180 min, following pseudo-first-order kinetics with apparent rate constants of 0.0177 and 0.0163 min^− 1 respectively. Antibacterial assays showed inhibition zones of 14.7 ± 0.01 against Escherichia coli and 13.3 ± 0.01 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial performances are attributed to synergistic interfacial charge transfer, improved light absorption, and increased surface-active sites. These findings establish the ZnS-MoS₂ heterostructure as an efficient multifunctional material for sustainable environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications.

Despite widespread applications of salsalate (SLS) as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), its therapeutic performance remains restricted by poor solubility, highlighting the need for improved delivery systems. Although nanoemulsions can enhance the performance of hydrophobic drugs, their application to SLS has not been sufficiently explored, representing a critical research gap. To address this, the current study focuses on integrating two complementary strategies within a single nanoformulation based on self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS). Alkylated ferulic acid (AL-FA), with a hydrophobic alkyl chain, serves as a functionalizing agent for SNEDDS, enhancing interfacial stability and contributing intrinsic anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While SLS is effectively loaded within the core of nanoemulsion, overcoming its solubility limitations and improving its therapeutic performance. Therefore, combining AL-FA functionalization with SLS-loaded SNEDDS is anticipated to synergistically improve the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the formulation. The formulations were evaluated for anti-oxidant activity, which is crucial for mitigating inflammation, and for behavioral effects, as systemic inflammation is known to induce both metabolic and behavioral changes. The AL-FA functionalized SLS-loaded SNEDDS demonstrated significant anti-oxidant activity, while behavioral analysis using dark box activity, elevated plus maze tests, open field tests, and forced swim tests indicated enhanced anxiolytic and antidepressant effects upon comparison with non-functionalized SLS-loaded SNEDDS. These behavioral improvements suggest a reduction in anxiety and depression-like symptoms, which are often associated with inflammatory processes. The developed AL-FA functionalized formulation significantly reduced paw edema compared to SLS alone and SLS + SNEDDS. This study underscores the potential of combining AL-FA with SLS, demonstrating improved efficacy against inflammatory conditions through complementary anti-oxidant and behavior-modulating effects.

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Triple action toxin responsive multilayered architecture was designed as hybrid heterojunction thin films for water filtration units. The construction is nanoclustered formation designed as multilayered assembly ~ (PEI/PSS)₅/(PDMS-NH₂@ZnO-Co₃O₄)₁₅ with self-assembled deposition adaptability as porous and non-porous thin films. The multilayered architectural design coupled two fabrication techniques; co-precipitation for ZnO-Co₃O₄ and Layer-by-Layer (LbL) deposition for the inclusion of binary oxide in multilayered PDMS-NH₂ thin films. The crystallographic behavior, chemical nature and bonding of the product were confirmed by XRD, FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopic studies. Characteristic ZnO-Co₃O₄ IR peaks were observed at 460, 567, and 685 cm^− 1 whereas Raman studies also established the Co inclusion in ZnO structure with prominent modes recorded around 719, 630, 530, and 495 cm^− 1 followed by E₂ (high) peak shift ~ 450 cm^− 1. Besides, SEM studies recorded uniform multilayered deposition whereas EDX analysis validated accurate elemental composition in the designed hybrid heterojunction. Additionally, sequential multilayered growth of thin films was recorded via Ellipsometry (film thickness~98 nm) and UV-Vis (λ_max = 374 nm) for 15 optimized layer pair depositions. The multilayered architecture demonstrates effective performance as all-in-one smart nanofilter linings for polluted water remediation having target specific mechanism of action for heavy metal adsorption, dye degradation and antimicrobial capacity, as recorded via FAAS, ICP-OES and UV-Vis studies. The enclosed findings based on structural elucidation and product application validate the potential of the current research in unwrapping the novelty it offers for water purification.