Journal of Nanoparticle Research最新文献

Coal desulfurization remains a critical environmental challenge due to stringent sulfur emission regulations and the need for cleaner energy sources. This study presents a novel magnetically separable Cu-TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite synthesized via an optimized sol–gel method for efficient photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization (PODS) of coal under sunlight irradiation. The heterojunction photocatalyst was systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The optimal 3.0% Cu-TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ (1:1) nanocomposite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic performance, achieving 73.30% sulfur removal efficiency under optimized conditions: 150 mg catalyst dosage, 500 mg coal, 20 mL H₂O₂ (30 wt%), and a 5-h reaction time under direct sunlight. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of a Type-II heterojunction that facilitates efficient charge separation, reduces electron–hole recombination, and extends light absorption into the visible region (band gap: 1.90 eV). Kinetic studies revealed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics with a rate constant of 0.278 h^⁻1. The photocatalyst exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining 68.5% of its initial activity after five consecutive cycles with excellent magnetic recovery. The photocatalytic mechanism involves the generation of hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) through both photocatalytic and Fenton-like processes, leading to the oxidation of organic sulfur compounds to polar sulfoxides and sulfones that are readily extractable. This work presents a sustainable and economically viable approach for coal desulfurization, offering significant potential for both industrial applications and environmental remediation.

In the recent years, supercapacitors with enhanced power densities and cycle stability have attracted significant attention in a variety of applications. Perovskite-based doped nanostructures were extensively studied for supercapacitors because of their exceptional conductivity, electrochemical characteristics, affordability, and environmental friendliness. Herein, SrCoO₃ and Ba-doped SrCoO₃ perovskite have been produced by hydrothermal process to investigate their electrochemical behaviour. The impact of barium doping on SrCoO₃ was determined using a number of physical and electrochemical characterisations. The X-ray diffraction study showed cubic crystal structure of Ba-doped SrCoO₃ perovskite had shown extensive surface area. The dispersion of Ba doping on SrCoO₃ nanostructures was confirmed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination. Comparing to pristine SrCoO₃ (736.63 F/g), Ba-doped SrCoO₃ displayed an elevated specific capacitance (C_s) of 1231.54 F/g at 1 A/g. Additionally, the Ba-doped SrCoO₃ presented a high energy density (E_d) of 49 Wh/Kg and power density (P_d) of 280 W/kg. The improvement in electrochemical activity of Ba-doped SrCoO₃ was credited with numerous factors, including the wide ionic radius of Ba, its substantial surface area, and porous structure that permits instant ion transport. These remarkable results imply that Ba-doped SrCoO₃ nanostructures can be used in high-performance supercapacitors.

The rising contamination of aquatic environments by dyes and heavy metals poses a critical threat to ecosystems and human health, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable remediation strategies. Nano-chitosan has emerged as a frontier adsorbent due to its nanoscale surface area, abundant functional groups, biocompatibility, and environmental safety. This study provides a comprehensive systematic and bibliometric review of nano-chitosan-based adsorbents, analysing 1855 publications from 2005 to 2025 indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric indicators reveal strong scientific vitality, with an annual growth rate of 21.52%, an average of 32.7 citations per article, and extensive international collaboration involving 7404 authors. Scientometric mapping identifies Asia as the leading hub, with China, India, and Iran contributing nearly 60% of global outputs. Highly cited works emphasize the development of chitosan–magnetic and oxide-based nanocomposites, which exhibit enhanced adsorption capacities exceeding 400 mg g⁻¹ for dyes and toxic metals. At the mechanistic level, the superior performance of nano-chitosan originates from its engineered nanostructure, which increases specific surface area, enhances porosity, and provides a dense array of reactive functional groups. This structural optimization facilitates electrostatic and chemical interactions while simultaneously improving mass transfer, leading to faster adsorption kinetics, higher equilibrium uptake, and robust recyclability in multifunctional wastewater treatment composites. By combining systematic insights with bibliometric evidence, this review positions nano-chitosan as a cornerstone material for next-generation water purification and outlines future research pathways for scalable, eco-friendly solutions.

Topical mupirocin (MP) remains clinically important for managing skin infections, yet its therapeutic efficacy is constrained by poor dermal permeation and the rapid emergence of bacterial resistance. To address these limitations, we developed and systematically evaluated a novel liposome-in-hydrogel nanofilm composed of mupirocin-loaded liposomes embedded in a crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol) polymeric matrix. MD simulations revealed that mupirocin incorporation did not destabilize the lipid bilayer, while preferential interactions with POPE lipids over DPPC were observed. Liposomes prepared via thin-film hydration exhibited nanoscale dimensions (SEM ~ 147 nm; DLS ~ 249 nm), a stable negative surface charge (− 46 mV), high encapsulation efficiency (99%), and substantial drug loading (33%). Embedding these vesicles into the hydrogel matrix yielded a mechanically stable nanofilm, with SEM and FTIR confirming homogeneous liposome integration and reduced pore size relative to the unloaded control. The formulation prolonged drug release, extending 70% cumulative release to ~ 24 h versus ~ 4 h in drug-only hydrogel. Ex-vivo permeation studies across murine skin demonstrated ~ 50% higher cumulative delivery compared with unreinforced films. Mechanical testing indicated increased tensile strength and stiffness, supporting its potential as a durable topical dressing. Biological assays confirmed preserved antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones (~ 34–35 mm) equivalent to commercial mupirocin discs, alongside high fibroblast viability (89–92%) evidencing cytocompatibility. In summary, this study demonstrates that the liposome-in-hydrogel nanofilm is a promising biocompatible carrier that sustains mupirocin release, enhances dermal penetration, and maintains antimicrobial efficacy.

We aim to demonstrate the gold nanoparticle formation on silicon substrates by a time-consuming furnace process and a ns-short laser-induced process as methods that can be performed under ambient conditions. The properties of the particles are shown by means of electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. We have found differences that suggest solid-state dewetting and liquid-state dewetting depending on the incorporated thermal energy. The short thermalization time of the laser process allows us to produce round-shaped polycrystalline nanoparticles. The nanoparticle formation by laser is dependent on the pulse energy and the pulse number. As a function of temperature from 300 to 1100 °C in a furnace, applied to thin gold films from 5 to 20 nm, the layers show complete dewetting of the substrate combined with the forming of nanoparticles with facette-like surfaces. Both methods show an improvement in the (111) texture with a small energy input up to the melting temperature of gold at 1060 °C compared to the original gold layer. However, with further increasing energy, the texture decreases again and falls below the level of the original layer. The particle size distributions, the crystallite sizes, and the intensity ratio of (111) and (002) reflexes are discussed.

In the present work, structural and morphological changes occurring during thermal decomposition of two isomers, silver oleate and silver elaidate (C₁₇H₃₃COOAg), were studied. It was found that thermal decomposition of both isomers results in the formation of ordered self-assembled nanostructures, which form in situ during the process. For investigating the changes occurring upon heating of silver oleate and silver elaidate, transmission electron microscopy and time-resolved small-angle and wide-angle X-ray diffraction were employed. It was found that, upon heating, the salts first experience transitions into various liquid crystal states and then into an isotropic liquid. The onset temperature of thermal decomposition of silver oleate and silver elaidate was found to be 200 °C and 230 °C, respectively. The products of thermal decomposition, the self-assembled structures, were composed of ordered silver nanoparticles.

A cost-effective semiconductor photocatalyst that harvests visible light energy and reduces photoinduced charge carrier recombination has garnered increasing interest for energy production and environmental cleanup. α-Fe₂O₃-tailored Bi₂WO₆ hierarchical microspheres have been effectively synthesized and well characterized by XRD, SEM, EDAX, HR-XPS, PL, and UV–Vis DRS techniques. The photocatalytic efficacy was improved by the Fe-BW-3% heterostructure catalyst on the degradation of ciprofloxacin as an antibiotic and rhodamine B as a cationic dye pollutant, with percentages of 98.09% and 97.37%, respectively. The increased photocatalytic activity was attributed to the improved visible light harvesting ability and reduced rate of photoinduced electron–hole recombination by moving electrons from one junction to another. Furthermore, the recycle investigations revealed that the catalysts are stable for CIP and RhB degradation after six cycles. Furthermore, scavenging experiments show that holes were the primary reactive species while hydroxyl radicals were the secondary active species in the degradation of CIP and RhB. The Fe-BW-3% composite photocatalyst exhibited excellent hydrogen evolution performance, achieving a production rate of 846 µmol. The enhancement mechanism was detailed with a schematic illustration.

Graphical Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component extracted from the Moraceae plant cannabis and possesses various pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor effects. However, its poor stability, low water solubility, and insufficient drug targeting have limited its application in tumor treatment. In this study, folic acid (FA) was grafted onto O-carboxymethyl chitosan-g-cholesterol succinate monoester (CCMC) through an amidation reaction. In order to improve the stability, apparent solubility, and targeting ability of CBD, CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles were prepared by loading CBD. Firstly, the synthesis of polymer CCMC-FA was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum (¹H-NMR). The physicochemical properties of CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles were characterized by detecting critical micelle concentration (CMC), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, and in vitro drug release. Stability and apparent solubility were assessed. The CCK-8 method was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles on SKOV3 cells. And coumarin 6 (C6) was used as a fluorescent probe to observe the cell uptake to initially evaluate the targeting ability of CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles. The results of FT-IR and ¹H-NMR indicated that CCMC-FA was successfully synthesized, and its CMC was 0.0044 mg/mL. The average particle size of the prepared CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles was 121.9 ± 1.8 nm, the PDI was good (0.21 ± 0.05), the drug loading was 10.26 ± 0.18%, the encapsulation efficiency was 78.63 ± 0.48%, and they were spherical under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cumulative release rate of CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles at acidic pH (5.4) was 37.16%, which was higher than 24.53% at physiological pH (7.4), indicating that the release of CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles was pH-sensitive. The particle size of micelles is stable during storage for 168 h, and the apparent solubility is 355 times that of free CBD. The results of cell experiments showed that CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles had a stronger inhibitory effect on the viability rate of SKOV3 cells than free CBD. In SKOV3 cells, the fluorescence intensity of C6-labeled CCMC-FA nanomicelles was higher than that of C6/CCMC nanomicelles and free C6 dyes, preliminarily suggesting the improvement of the anti-tumor and targeting effects of FA-modified CBD/CCMC-FA nanomicelles. CCMC-FA nanomicelles can enhance the stability and apparent solubility of CBD and have potential in targeted drug delivery.

The synthesized nanostructures based on nanoporous matrices of anodised aluminum oxide (AAO) and NH₄H₂PO₄ (ADP) and KB₅O₈∙4H₂O (KB5) nanocrystals were studied. The deposition of nanocrystals into the pores of AAO was carried out from saturated aqueous solutions. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the AAO matrices was analyzed using X-ray fluorescence analysis. The surface morphology and pore dimensionality of the AAO matrices were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Spectrophotometric measurements have shown that the AAO nanomatrices have a transparency window in the wide spectral range of 250–2000 nm. The dependence of the second harmonic generation (SHG) signal on the type of crystal filling of the pores was established. The parameters of the porous structure of both the initial empty matrices and those filled with nanostructures were estimated using the adsorption/desorption isotherms of nitrogen at its boiling point. It was shown that the ADP nanocrystals in the proposed synthesis method filled the AAO matrix better than the KB5 crystals.

In this present investigation, the Bi₂S₃/BiOI nanocomposites were synthesized by using a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The obtained pristine Bi₂S₃, BiOI, and Bi₂S₃/BiOI nanocomposites were further evaluated for several physicochemical techniques. This Bi₂S₃/BiOI nanocomposite design effectively combines the superior electron transport properties of Bi₂S₃ nanorods with the catalytic activity of BiOI nanosheets, leading to a remarkable improvement in electrochemical sensing performance. The Bi₂S₃/BiOI nanocomposites were incorporated with GCE to form a Bi₂S₃/BiOI/GCE electrode material, further used to detect the environmental pollutants as a Metol (MTL) drug. Several analytical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), revealed a wide linear detection range of 0.5–50 µM and a sensitivity of 1.80 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² with an exceptionally low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.35 µM and 2.81 µM. The improvements in sensitivity were attributed to the expanded active surface and optimized charge transfer properties. In real-time applicability, the as-proposed Bi₂S₃/BiOI/GCE sensor was used to detect the MTL drug in pond water and tap water with good sensory results. Overall, the obtained results suggest that our proposed Bi₂S₃/BiOI/GCE sensor has an efficient sensing material for a healthy environment. The work highlights Bi₂S₃/BiOI nanocomposites as a promising platform for reliable detection of MTL, offering insights into developing sustainable electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring.

Graphical Abstract