Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

Thermoelectric (TE) materials possess the ability to convert heat into electricity and harness wasted heat. To build high-performance TE devices, it is essential to focus on superior TE materials through various strategies. Advancing high-performance TE devices can expand the TE application market and stimulate further research in TE materials. The researchers should concentrate their strategies on enhancing electrical conductivity while preserving the Seebeck coefficient. This review highlights innovative strategies to achieve high-performance TE materials and discusses about the fabrication techniques to synthesize the best suitable metal oxide for commercial TE materials. In the present work many recent achievements in the field of metal oxide based TEs have also discussed. The future trend is to synergistically optimize and integrate all effective factors to enhance TE performance, making highly efficient TE materials and devices more beneficial in everyday life.

In the present work, a new magnetic nanoparticle-supported triazine-based palladium(0) (Tz@Fe₃O₄–Pd) was prepared by a facile multistep synthesis employing cost-effective chemicals. The Tz@Fe₃O₄–Pd nanomagnetic catalyst was characterized by various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The nitrogen atoms contained on the triazine moiety primarily serve as the anchoring sites for the Pd nanoparticles, which are produced through polyol reduction. The synthesized nanomagnetic catalyst Tz@Fe₃O₄–Pd demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and denitrogenative cross-coupling reactions under mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions. Due to its magnetic nature, the recovery of the Tz@Fe₃O₄–Pd was easy with an external magnet, and it showed good activity till ten recycles with no substantial decrease of activity in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and till five recycles in denitrogenative cross-coupling reactions. The Tz@Fe₃O₄–Pd nanocatalyst can be further investigated due to its low cost, environmental friendliness, and great catalytic activity in a variety of cross-coupling reactions.

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This study aimed to fabricate lead-free PVDF-BaTiO₃ + ZnO and PVDF-BaTiO₃/PVDF-ZnO electrospun nanofibers to enhance the piezoelectric properties of PVDF-BaTiO₃ nanofibers through the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles and PVDF-ZnO nanofibers. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was utilized to examine the morphology, size, and formation of the nanofibers, revealing well-formed structures with a reduced average diameter. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to analyze and compare the content of β-phase in the nanofibers, indicating a higher β-phase content in both PVDF-BaTiO₃ + ZnO and PVDF-BaTiO₃/PVDF-ZnO electrospun nanofibers compared to PVDF-BaTiO₃ electrospun nanofibers alone. The piezoelectric performance, measured as an output voltage generated by the nanofibers under applied pressure using a custom device, demonstrated improved results when ZnO nanoparticles and PVDF-ZnO nanofibers were incorporated into the structure. The findings of this investigation suggest that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles and PVDF-ZnO nanofibers into PVDF-BaTiO₃ nanofibers leads to better piezoelectric composites, making them suitable for applications in energy harvesting and wearable electronic devices.

The study aimed to utilize ecofriendly synthesis to produce selenium nanoparticles using Syzygium cumini leaf extract (SC-SeNPs), and assessing their antibacterial, antifungal activity, and cytotoxic effects. The synthesized Sc-SeNPs were initially subjected to various characterization studies to explore its properties. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy exhibited maximum absorption at 255 nm, while Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed synthesis by identifying functional groups. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis indicated a nanocrystalline structure, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) imaging showed spherical SC-SeNPs with an average size of 32 ± 11 nm. Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy confirmed Selenium (Se) presence in the nanoparticles (NPs). The SC-SeNPs exhibited antibacterial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumoniae NTCC 13439, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 50 to 400 µg/ml and 100–800 µg/ml, respectively. Additionally, SC-SeNPs exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Mucor sp. ATCC 52912 and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16888, with MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranging from 3.125 to 25 µg/ml and 3.125–50 µg/ml, respectively, displaying bactericidal and fungicidal effects against pathogens. In cytotoxicity test, there was significant reduction (p˂0.05) in cell viability compared to the control group after the concentration of 250 µg/ml. It showed low toxic effect with IC₅₀ value of 295 µg/ml on Vero cell lines. The findings suggest SC-SeNPs’ potential as antibacterial and antifungal agents.

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This research work investigates designing the ZnBi₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ p–n heterojunction for efficient and sustainable environmental remediations. The bare and nanocomposite was successfully synthesized through one pot hydrothermal followed thermal decomposition technique. As prepared materials were characterized by various analytical techniques to examine the phase structural, vibrational modes, texture morphology and light behaviours through powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Ultraviolet-Visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS). To investigate the photocatalytic activity of malachite green dye was utilized as artificial contaminants. The experimental outcomes revealed the established capacity of ZnBi₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites to light absorption wavelength (501 nm) and reduction of band gap (2.26 eV) facilitated a novel domain in organic pollutant removal which could be synergistic effect of the ZnBi₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ p–n heterojunction for augment the charge carrier separation and transportation. Moreover g-C₃N₄ enhance the life time of the photoinduced charge carriers decreased the recombination rate. ZnBi₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ p–n heterojunction nano composite achieved the highest degradation efficacy is 90 % compare to pristine materials ZnBi₂O₄ (77%), g-C₃N₄ (71%) of malachite green dye under visible light exposure in 100 min, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.02101 min⁻¹. Notably, the catalyst demonstrated excellent cyclic stability over five cycles. All the positive aspects of findings suggest that ZnBi₂O₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites possess to serve as a capable and multifaceted material for the energy and environmental applications.

Chemically stable organic dyes like Safranin are less likely to be biodegradable and hardly get removed from wastewater through conventional treatment methods. The photocatalytic degradation and bacterial degradation of safranin dye were thoroughly investigated in this study. Four various bacteria isolated from dye-contaminated soil were used for decolourization. Those isolates were characterized and subjected to degraded Safranin at optimized conditions. This study aims to prepare unique, cheap, eco-friendly and bi-metallic Ag/ZnO NPs for the degradation of safranin dye, an important component in textile wastewater. In pursuit of this objective, bi-metallic Ag/ZnO nanoparticles were fabricated for the first time using Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extracts. The FT-IR spectra showed the role of the functional groups in P.amboinicus for the formation of Ag/ZnO NPs such as routine compounds. The synthesized PA-Ag/ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a zeta potential of − 16.4 mV, indicating high stability. The UV-visible spectrum showed absorption peaks at 204.81 and 216.73 nm wavelengths. The obtained PA-Ag/ZnO NPs were investigated as a nanocatalyst for safranin degradation. Its phytochemicals influenced the shape, size, stability, surface area, surface energy and photocatalytic activity. To confirm the formation of Ag/ZnO NPs, FT-IR, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, SEM and TEM were performed. The photocatalytic degradation of Safranin by PA-Ag/ZnO nanoparticles was carried out at optimized conditions, and the degradation rate of 94% at 10mg concentration was observed. After optimizing degradation conditions, comparative degradation studies between the PA-Ag/ZnO nanoparticles and bacteria were performed using GC-MS analysis. These findings represent that synthesized Ag/ZnO nanoparticles using P. amboinicus will be used in wastewater treatment.

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This study details the distinguishable sonochemical synthesis of titanium-doped and pure tin dioxide quantum dots (SnO₂Qs) and a comprehensive examination of their structures. XRD analyses affirmed the crystallinity and phase purity of the tetragonal SnO₂Qs, revealing crystallite sizes with average of 4.20 and 6.50 nm for SnO₂Q1 and SnO₂Q2, calcined at 290 and 490 °C, respectively. HRTEM imaging delineated spherical particles with 4.75 nm for SnO₂Q1 and 8.30 nm for SnO₂Q2. The energy band gap was determined as 3.31 eV for SnO₂Q1 and 3.37 eV for SnO₂Q2. Photocatalytic efficiency was estimated by photodegradation of Brilliant blue R dye under Xenon lamp light, where the rate constant for SnO₂Q1 was 11% higher than SnO₂Q2 owing to its smaller size by 35% and larger BET surface area by 21%. Also, solar irradiation, with SnO₂Q1 sustaining its photocatalytic activity across seven reuse cycles. An economic analysis, for the Brilliant blue R dye, the cost efficiency of photodegradation process in presence of SnO₂Q1 costly less than SnO₂Q2 cost from 25.07 to 26.24 $ while 2% Ti-doped Sn_0.098Ti_0.02O₂ (SnT1) was cheaper than 8% Ti-doped Sn_0.092Ti_0.09O₈ (SnT2). These findings underscore the exceptional photocatalytic efficiency and cost-effectiveness of SnO₂Qs samples as sustainable options for actual natural wastewater treatment.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are generally recognized as safe substances, leading to a growing interest in their applications, particularly when synthesized using various medicinal plants. In this study, an aqueous extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves was used to synthesize NL-ZnONPs, and their various biological applications were assessed. The maximum absorbance (λmax) of NL-ZnONPs was found at 376 nm. SEM and XRD analyses confirmed the amorphous nature of the NL-ZnONPs, while FTIR analysis revealed that phytochemicals from the plant extract capped the surface of the NL-ZnONPs. NL-ZnONPs inhibited mammalian α-glucosidase activities-maltase, sucrase, isomaltase, glucoamylase-, and α-amylase activity through non-competitive inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 594.4 ± 1.79 µg/mL, 1160.2 ± 4.8 µg/mL, 648.4 ± 3.6 µg/mL, 719.3 ± 2.3 µg/mL, and 398.4 µg/mL, respectively. The NL-ZnONPs also reduced cell viability in A549, MCF7, and HepG2 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 42.89 ± 1.8 µg/mL, 32.65 ± 4.8 µg/mL, and 159.15 ± 3.5 µg/mL, respectively. DNA fragmentation and apoptosis were observed in A549 and MCF7 cells through DAPI and acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescence staining. Additionally, NL-ZnONPs exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida parapsilosis at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Overall, NL-ZnONPs demonstrated effective antidiabetic activity by inhibiting carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, as well as significant anticancer and antimicrobial activities.

Arsenic, a highly toxic heavy metal, introduces substantial risks to human health, leading to conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, congenital anomalies, liver and kidney damage, arsenicosis, hemolysis, cancer, neurological issues, and painful skin lesions. Regular monitoring and development of effective remediation strategies are crucial for safeguarding human health and the environment. Current developments have emphasized the advancement of novel analytical methodologies for detecting toxic metal ions, with nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based materials, emerging as promising candidates. This review highlights the potential of zero-dimensional carbon dots (CDs) and inorganic quantum dots (QDs) as sensing material (sensors) for arsenic detection. It provides an in-depth advancement in the application of these nanomaterials for arsenic detection, underscoring their potential in environmental monitoring and public health protection.

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The exploitation of the ligand effect in directing the geometric/electronic structures of metal nanoclusters is of great significance in investigating their structure-property correlations at the atomic level. We herein successfully synthesized and structurally determined two structure-correlated silver nanoclusters, Ag₆(SPh^pF)₅(DPPF)₃ and Ag₇(SPhCl₂)₇(DPPF)₂ (DPPF = 1,1’-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene). Because of the mercaptan ligand effect, the geometric structure of Ag₇(SPhCl₂)₇(DPPF)₂ was similar to Ag₆(SPh^pF)₅(DPPF)₃ except that one Ag₁(SR)₂ motif in the former cluster was replaced by a bidentate DPPF ligand. The two silver nanoclusters displayed comparable optical absorptions, suggesting that the ligand effect influenced their electronic structures. Collectively, the research findings in this work introduce the mercaptan ligand effect in directing the structures of silver nanoclusters with low nuclearity.