Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

Urgent remediation is needed to degrade the low-biodegradability dye molecules in dye-polluted water from textile industries, as this contamination has been recognized as a serious environmental issue, causing a range of harmful effects on both human health and ecosystems. In this milieu, the present study investigates the biofabrication of tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO₂ NPs) using leaves extract from Morinda citrifolia and Pandanus amaryllifolius for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), benefaction an alternative solution to the issue of dye-polluted water. The synthesis method integrates tin chloride pentahydrate with the leaves extract, followed by calcination. Comprehensive characterization via FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, HRTEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of SnO₂ NPs, revealing distinct morphological and crystalline properties. Photocatalytic tests demonstrated that SnO₂ NPs derived from M. citrifolia achieved a superior degradation rate of 97%, compared to 80% from P. amaryllifolius, with optimal activity under neutral pH. While radical scavenger experiments identified electrons as the primary active species to accelerate the degradation and reusability tests indicated a gradual decline in efficiency over five cycles, demonstrating its stability. These findings underscore the superiority of biofabricated SnO₂ NPs as a sustainable and efficient photocatalyst using these two plants, compared to other plant templates, in which pronounce promising avenues for environmental conservation and resource management.

Due to waste, pollution, and unequal distribution of the world’s finite freshwater resources, there is currently a problem of water scarcity. Therefore, developing novel, affordable, and efficient techniques for water purification is essential. Here, the photo-assisted degradation of Methyl Orange dye (MO) under visible light and UV was achieved by using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) photocatalyst loaded with Zn_0.5Cu_0.5Fe₂O₄ (ZCF) called MRGO 20. Furthermore, all prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Raman analysis. After 40 minutes, the high photocatalytic efficacy effectively eliminated about 96 % of the 10 ppm MO using 20 mg of MRGO 20 NPs at pH 5 under Visible light irradiation. From the results, MRGO 20 demonstrated good performance stability after five cycles of photocatalytic degradation of MO dye. The shown performance of the generated samples in both visible and UV light may motivate further investigation into more potent photocatalysts for water filtering. MRGO 20 NPs nanocomposite displayed great activity against Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) mm value of 24.0 mm, and high biofilm inhibition of 94.3%. The produced samples’ observed efficacy in both UV and visible light may encourage continued research into more effective photocatalysts for the filtration of water and for biological applications.

The extensive use of synthetic dyes in the textile industry has resulted in severe water contamination, with methylene blue (MB) being a prevalent pollutant. This study presents the development of an eco-friendly nanocomposite, Activated Carbon Thin Film-Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ACTF@ZIF-8), synthesized through an in-situ growth method for efficient MB removal from aqueous solutions. The composite's structural and physicochemical properties were thoroughly characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The nanocomposite exhibited a high specific surface area of 384.4 m²/g and an adsorption capacity of 156.83 mg/g, achieving a removal efficiency of 98.8%. Kinetic studies indicated that MB adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.9994), suggesting chemisorption as the primary mechanism. The adsorption isotherms conformed to the Freundlich model (R² = 0.999), indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. Thermodynamic analysis indicated an endothermic process, characterized by a positive enthalpy change and an increase in entropy. The process was confirmed to be spontaneous, as demonstrated by negative Gibbs free energy values. The composite also demonstrated high reusability, maintaining efficiency across multiple cycles. These findings position ACTF@ZIF-8 as a promising material for sustainable wastewater treatment, aligning with advancements in nanomaterial-based environmental remediation.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is toxic and corrosive at high concentrations and pressures. Adsorption methods are suitable due to their low energy consumption, low cost, and high efficiency. Synthesis and optimization of structural and operational parameters of specific molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) Nano adsorbents for H2S gas adsorption carried out using response surface design methodology. The optimal polymerization conditions of MIPs included 16 experiments. The amounts of template molecules (1–5 mmol), cross-linker (5–20 mmol), functional monomer (2–12mmol), porogen solution (acetonitrile/ethyl acetate v/v 1–9%), elution solution (acetic acid/methanol 20/80) and initiator (25–100 mg) were optimized using Taguchi method of experimental design. We used the SRK equation of state for the molar mass of the gas on a fixed bed with a height of 400 mm and an inner diameter of 10 mm. Finally, physical properties were determined using FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, and BET. Statistical analysis showed that the signal-to-noise ratio between the template molecule, cross-linker, and functional monomer was 2:15:2.5, and the optimal adsorption value occurred at a volume ratio of acetonitrile/ethyl acetate of 1:9 and initiator of 75. In this study, the surface is MIPs@H₂S. Variance analysis showed that all Nano-adsorbents followed a second-order model, temperature and adsorbent dosage were the most critical variables in the process, and the equilibrium adsorption of all Nano-adsorbents followed the Langmuir isotherm and second-order synthesis model. The regeneration study highlighted that the Nano-adsorbent is a promising adsorbent with high reversibility and stability for H₂S gas. Finally, the selectivity results of specific adsorption of H₂S gas by CO₂/H₂S/CH₄ gas mixture of MIPs@H₂S were significantly higher than that of Non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) Nano adsorbent.

A novel PANI/NiCO₂O₄/CeO₂ nanocomposite was prepared using the binary Nano metal oxide NiCo₂O₄/CeO₂ with aniline and ammonium persulfate (APS) via a one-step polymerization and drop throwing system. The nanocomposite was explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful integration of nanoparticles into PANI. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed absorbance peaks characteristic of PANI combined with nano metal oxides. Raman spectroscopy further verified the nanocomposite’s structure, with peaks at 415, 517, 575, and 640 cm^− 1 attributed to CeO₂ and NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles within the PANI matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses of the doped PANI showed nanostructures ranging from 18.40 to 23.28 nm. Photodetection properties such as responsivity (R_λ), detectivity (D*), and external quantum efficiency (QE) of porous silicon nanocomposites were assessed using the drop-casting method. The incorporation of Ag/PANI-NiCo₂O₄-CeO₂/PSi/Si/Ag enhanced the ideality factor of porous silicon. At wavelengths of 350–900 nm, the values of R_λ, D*, and QE were measured at 0.37 A/W, 5.3 × 10^12 cmHz^1/2/W, and 110%, respectively.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanocomposites (Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC) functionalized with ascorbic acid (Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC) for enhanced photocatalytic and antioxidant activities. The nanocomposites were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The photocatalytic degradation of Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) and amoxicillin (AMX) under sunlight irradiation was evaluated. Results showed a remarkable degradation efficiency of 99.2% for BCB and 99.1% for AMX using Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC, compared to 97% and 95% with Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC. The rate constants for the degradation of BCB were 0.041 min⁻¹ for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC and 0.031 min⁻¹ for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC, while for AMX, they were 0.035 min⁻¹ and 0.025 min⁻¹, respectively. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃@AA NC was significantly higher, ranging from 45% to 95.25%, compared to 41.8% to 79.6% for Fe₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ NC. These findings suggest that ascorbic acid functionalization significantly enhances the photocatalytic and antioxidant properties of iron oxide nanocomposites.

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In this study, α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite (NC) coated with polyethylene glycol were synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis, achieving uniform particle formation and controlled crystallinity. Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) confirmed the physical attributes and homogeneity of the nanocomposite. Polyethylene glycol-coated α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ showed a reduced crystalline size of 19.13 nm compared to 22.93 nm for uncoated nanoparticles. Optical band gap measurements revealed values of 4.64 electron volts for polyethylene glycol, 1.98 electron volts for α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ NC, and 3.18 electron volts for α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄@polyethylene glycol nanocomposites, indicating both insulating and semiconducting behaviors. The photocatalytic performance of the polyethylene glycol-coated α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ was demonstrated by a 99.4% degradation of Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) dye within 120 minutes at a concentration of 5 milligrams per milliliter, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.02047 per minute. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibited strong recyclability and reusability, making them viable candidates for environmental remediation. The study underscores the potential of α-Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ NC in applications such as water treatment and antioxidant therapies.

Present work reports on the synthesis of NiO-incorporated nanotorous ZrO₂ synthesized by facile co-precipitation method for supercapacitor application. The as-synthesized composite was characterised using FTIR and XRD confirming the successful synthesis of ZrO₂-NiO composite (ZNC). FESEM analysis also revealed morphology transition from nanoclusters of tiny ZrO₂ particles and stacked flakes of NiO to self-assembled nanotorus ZNC. Electrochemical analyses (like CV, GCD, EIS) also revealed improved electrochemical behaviour of ZrO₂ whose specific capacitance increased from 87.77 F/g to 251 F/g in ZNC at 1 A/g. This could be attributed to the synergistic effect of nanotorous morphology in the presence of NiO. These observations were well complemented by a reduced band gap (~ 2.96 eV) and lower charge transfer and solution resistance. A mechanistic insight was also proposed for a deeper understanding of the development of torous structured material. This work provides a closer look into how NiO-driven torous morphology of ZrO₂-NiO composite has improved the electrochemical performance of ZrO₂.

The current work aimed to prepare silymarin (SMR) and metformin (MTH)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) added in-situ thermoresponsive gel for the treatment of oral cancer. In brief, the nanostructured lipid carriers were designed using Compritol and oleic acid whereas the mucoadhesive sol-gel thermoresponsive system was prepared using gellan gum/Poloxamer. The obtained SMR/MTH-NLCs were characterized for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), particle size, zeta potential, in-vitro release, etc. Moreover, the SMR/MTH-NLCs incorporated gel was characterized for sol-gel temperature, viscosity, ex-vivo mucoadhesion, etc. Here, SMR/MTH-NLCs showed a spherical shape with a particle size of 258.2 ± 1.2 nm and zeta potential − 35 ± 0.2 mV, respectively. Further, the sol-gel transition could form gel at 35.2 ± 0.5 ℃ providing site-specific and sustained release of SMR and MTH. Ex-vivo permeation of formulation exhibited longer retention that confirmed the good mucoadhesion potential of gellan gum. The cell viability studies demonstrated a significant reduction of KB oral cancer cells that confirms the increased synergistic anticancer effects of SMR/MTH-NLCs incorporated gel (IC₅₀ = 0.65 ± 0.12 µM) than free drug combination. These findings illicit the potential of SMR/MTH-NLCs incorporated gel formulation to localize delivery of SMR and MTH at buccal mucosa in the treatment of oral cancer.

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Pollutants from industrial effluents create a wide problem concerning harm to humans, the environment, and climate. This work focuses on developing TiO₂ nanowires (NWs) for photocatalytic activity and water treatment applications. The three different temperatures calcined TiO₂ nanowires were synthesized via hydrothermal method followed by subsequent calcination at various temperatures. The TiO₂ nanowires were analyzed using techniques such as UV spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM, and BET to investigate their structural, morphological, and surface properties. The FE-SEM and TEM micrographs of TiO₂ nanomaterial show well-defined wire morphology with an average size of 150–200 nm. All the synthesized nanowires show a significant band gap in the range of 3.42–3.56 eV associated with the UV region. The calculated BET surface area of the formed TiO₂ nanowires for T₀, T₁, T₂, and T₃ is 4.84, 124.5, 19.28, and 23.51 m²/g respectively. The results demonstrate its potential as an efficient and sustainable photocatalysis and dye degradation solution. The efficiency of the nanowires was analyzed through photocatalytic degradation experiments using model organic pollutants from nitrophenol under UV light irradiation. The outcomes show that the low-temperature calcined TiO₂ (T₁) nanowires efficiently degraded PNP (para-nitrophenol) pollutants up to 76% in low pollutant concentration at 40⁰C in a UV visible cabinet and the percentage recovery of Catalyst is around 98%. due to their high surface area 124.5m²/g). The nanowires exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity, enabling effective degradation and mineralization of pollutants. Its ability to efficiently remove contaminants under UV or visible light irradiation makes it a sustainable and effective solution for treating wastewater from diverse industrial effluents.