The 100 most-cited articles in RSC Advances, 2019

Since discovery of the first antibiotic drug, penicillin, in 1928, a variety of antibiotic and antimicrobial agents have been developed and used for both human therapy and industrial applications. However, excess and uncontrolled use of antibiotic agents has caused a significant growth in the number of drug resistant pathogens. Novel therapeutic approaches replacing the inefficient antibiotics are in high demand to overcome increasing microbial multidrug resistance. In the recent years, ongoing research has focused on development of nano-scale objects as efficient antimicrobial therapies. Among the various nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have gained much attention due to their unique antimicrobial properties. However, concerns about the synthesis of these materials such as use of precursor chemicals and toxic solvents, and generation of toxic byproducts have led to a new alternative approach, green synthesis. This eco-friendly technique incorporates use of biological agents, plants or microbial agents as reducing and capping agents. Silver nanoparticles synthesized by green…

Bone tissue engineering has been continuously developing since the concept of "tissue engineering" has been proposed. Biomaterials that are used as the basic material for the fabrication of scaffolds play a vital role in bone tissue engineering. This paper first introduces a strategy for literature search. Then, it describes the structure, mechanical properties and materials of natural bone and the strategies of bone tissue engineering. Particularly, it focuses on the current knowledge about biomaterials used in the fabrication of bone tissue engineering scaffolds, which includes the history, types, properties and applications of biomaterials. The effects of additives such as signaling molecules, stem cells, and functional materials on the performance of the scaffolds are also discussed.

), nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), genes, enzymes, cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), cancer biomarkers, pathogenic microorganisms, food toxins, toxic heavy metal ions, mycotoxins, and pesticides. The sensitivity and selectivity of graphene-based electrochemical and fluorescent biosensors are also examined with respect to interfering analytes present in biological systems. Finally, the future outlook for the development of graphene based biosensing technology is outlined.

This review will discuss in detail various microbial modes of nanoparticles synthesis and the mechanism of their synthesis by various bioreducing agents such as enzymes, peptides, proteins, electron shuttle quinones and exopolysaccharides. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of biosynthesis is the need of the hour to develop a technology for large scale production of bio-mediated nanoparticles. The present review also discusses the advantages of various microbial approaches in nanoparticles synthesis and lacuna involved in such processes. This review also highlights the recent milestones achieved on large scale production and future perspectives of nanoparticles.

), drug delivery, cancer therapy, their potential to pass blood-brain barrier (BBB), and gene delivery are discussed.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are new inspiring clinical targets that have emerged from persistent efforts with unique properties and diverse applications. However, the main methods currently utilized in their production are not environmentally friendly. With the aim of promoting a green approach for the synthesis of NPs, this review describes eco-friendly methods for the preparation of biogenic NPs and the known mechanisms for their biosynthesis. Natural plant extracts contain many different secondary metabolites and biomolecules, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and enzymes. Secondary metabolites can enable the reduction of metal ions to NPs in eco-friendly one-step synthetic processes. Moreover, the green synthesis of NPs using plant extracts often obviates the need for stabilizing and capping agents and yields biologically active shape- and size-dependent products. Herein, we review the formation of metallic NPs induced by natural extracts and list the plant extracts used in the synthesis of NPs. In addition, the use of bacterial and fungal extracts in the…

aqueous extract has the potency to combat drug-resistant bacteria but comparatively, ZnO NPs synthesized from the same plant were found to be more effective against resistant pathogenic strains. It is concluded from the above study that phyto-fabricated ZnO NPs have strong potential as theranostic agents and can be adopted in drug delivery systems.

, the high contrast in the production rates between the two holes and the almost constant or slightly reduced gas production rates) were not predicted by the numerical models. This failure in prediction raises questions about the veracity of the reservoir characteristics modeled in the numerical simulations. This paper presents the operation summaries and data obtained with thought-experiment based-anticipated production behaviors and preliminary analysis of the obtained data as the comparison with expected behaviors. Detailed observations of gas and water production, as well as the pressure and temperature data recorded during the gas flow tests, indicate that the heterogeneous MH distribution within the reservoir was mainly responsible for the discrepancies observed between the anticipated and actual behaviors. Furthermore, the motion of the water that does not originate from MH dissociation introduces complexity, such as the occurrence of concentrated water-producing intervals and unexpected gas production responses to decreases in pressure, into the production behavior. The…

, which is nearly one order of magnitude higher than the electrical conductivity of ZnO nanoparticles formed in hydroquinone and ZnO sols. The possibility of engineering the band gap and electrical properties of ZnO at nanoscale utilizing an aqueous-based wet chemical synthesis process presented here is simple, versatile, and environmentally friendly, and thus may applicable for making other types of band-gap engineered metal oxide nanostructures with shape-controlled morphologies and optoelectrical properties.

on the surface of SS mesh may be the active species for OER. The abundant and commercial availability, long-term stability and low-cost property of nickel foam and stainless steel mesh enable their large-scale practical application in water splitting.

Benzofuran compounds are a class of compounds that are ubiquitous in nature. Numerous studies have shown that most benzofuran compounds have strong biological activities such as anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-oxidative, and anti-viral activities. Owing to these biological activities and potential applications in many aspects, benzofuran compounds have attracted more and more attention of chemical and pharmaceutical researchers worldwide, making these substances potential natural drug lead compounds. For example, the recently discovered novel macrocyclic benzofuran compound has anti-hepatitis C virus activity and is expected to be an effective therapeutic drug for hepatitis C disease; novel scaffold compounds of benzothiophene and benzofuran have been developed and utilized as anticancer agents. Novel methods for constructing benzofuran rings have been discovered in recent years. A complex benzofuran derivative is constructed by a unique free radical cyclization cascade, which is an excellent method for the synthesis of a series of difficult-to-prepare polycyclic benzofuran…

In the field of nanotechnology, the development of reliable and eco-friendly methods for the synthesis of NPs is crucial. The conventional methods for the synthesis of NPs are costly, toxic, and not ecofriendly. To overcome these issues, natural sources such as plant, bacteria, fungi, and biopolymers have been used to synthesize AgNPs. These natural sources act as reducing and capping agents. The shape, size, and applications of AgNPs are prominently affected by the reaction parameters under which they are synthesized. Accessible distributed data on the synthesis of AgNPs include the impact of different parameters (temperature and pH), characterization techniques (DLS, UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDX), properties and their applications. This review paper discusses all the natural sources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and biopolymers that have been used for the synthesis of AgNPs in the last ten years. AgNPs synthesized by green methods have found potential applications in a wide spectrum of areas including drug delivery, DNA analysis and gene therapy, cancer treatment,…

Chromium exists mainly in two forms in environmental matrices, namely, the hexavalent (Cr(vi)) and trivalent (Cr(iii)) chromium. While Cr(iii) is a micronutrient, Cr(vi) is a known carcinogen, and that warrants removal from environmental samples. Amongst the removal techniques reported in the literature, adsorption methods are viewed as superior to other methods because they use less chemicals; consequently, they are less toxic and easy to handle. Mitigation of chromium using adsorption methods has been achieved by exploiting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of Cr(vi) due to its dissolution tendencies in aqueous solutions. Many adsorbents, including synthetic polymers, activated carbons, biomass, graphene oxide, and nanoparticles as well as bioremediation, have been successfully applied in Cr(vi) remediation. Initially, adsorbents were used singly in their natural form, but recent literature shows that more composite materials are generated and applied. This review focused on the recent advances, insights, and project future directions for these adsorbents as well…

Terahertz (THz = 10 12 Hz) spectroscopy has shown great potential in biomedical research due to its unique features, such as the non-invasive and label-free identification of living cells and medical imaging.

In the present paper, double perovskite Ba 2 InTaO 6 was investigated in terms of its structural, electronic, optical, elastic, mechanical, thermodynamic and thermoelectric properties using density-functional theory (DFT).

The appropriate synthesis temperature and optimized photodegradation reaction conditions result in an appreciable enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of urea derived innate g-C 3 N 4 towards MB dye degradation.

) emissions, as compared to those of uncatalysed oils and commercial fuel in a gasoline engine. Pyrolysis-oils from all other polymers demonstrated comparable performance to diesel in engine power tests. The application of inexpensive and widely available bentonite clay in pyrolysis could significantly aid in repurposing plastic wastes.

, respectively. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the impregnation pretreatment provided polar groups containing oxygen to the surfaces. These unique characteristics make synthetic graphite possess good adsorption capacity for dye pollutants (the adsorption rate of the methyl orange solution was 99.9% within 60 min at 50 °C, and the pH value of the solution was 3). The effects of temperature and pH value on the adsorption capacity were studied. The repeatability of the adsorption performance was also tested, and the adsorption rate was 84.6% of the initial adsorption rate after five cycles.

The single-step incorporation of multiple immiscible elements into colloidal high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles has manifold technological potential, but it continues to be a challenge for state-of-the-art synthesis methods. Hence, the development of a synthesis approach by which the chemical composition and phase of colloidal HEA nanoparticles can be controlled could lead to a new pool of nanoalloys with unparalleled functionalities. Herein, this study reports the single-step synthesis of colloidal CoCrFeMnNi HEA nanoparticles with targeted equimolar stoichiometry and diameters less than 5 nm by liquid-phase, ultrashort-pulsed laser ablation of the consolidated and heat-treated micropowders of the five constituent metals. Further, the scalability of the process with an unprecedented productivity of 3 grams of colloidal HEA nanoparticles per hour is demonstrated. Electrochemical analysis reveals a unique redox behavior of the particles' surfaces in an alkaline environment and a potential for future application as a heterogeneous catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction.

(Ao) strain RS-1, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs significantly inhibited bacterial growth, biofilm formation and swimming motility of Xoo strain LND0005 and Ao strain RS-1. In addition, the synthesized AgNPs significantly increased root length, shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight of rice seedlings compared to the control. Overall, this study suggests that AgNPs have the potential to protect rice plants from bacterial infection and plant growth promotion.

. Overall, POLE mediated derived biogenic ZnO NPs could serve as a significant anticancer and antimicrobial agent and be used in the development of novel drugs and skin care products.

The fabrication of fungicides in cost-effective and eco-friendly ways is particularly important for agriculture.

Electrospinning is a method of preparing microfibers or nanofibers by using an electrostatic force to stretch the electrospinning fluid. Electrospinning has gained considerable attention in many fields due to its ability to produce continuous fibers from a variety of polymers and composites in a simple way. Electrospun nanofibers have many merits such as diverse chemical composition, easily adjustable structure, adjustable diameter, high surface area, high porosity, and good pore connectivity, which give them broad application prospects in the biomedical field. This review systematically introduced the factors influencing electrospinning, the types of electrospun fibers, the types of electrospinning, and the detailed applications of electrospun fibers in controlled drug release, biological dressings, tissue repair and enzyme immobilization fields. The latest progress of using electrospun fibers in these fields was summarized, and the main challenges to be solved in electrospinning technology were put forward.

and pH of 9.5 within 120 min. The adsorption equilibrium is better described by the Freundlich isotherm, indicating that physisorption is the rate controlling mechanism. The MB adsorption process was thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic. A reusability study revealed that the prepared adsorbent is readily reusable. The adsorbent still maintains its ability to adsorb MB for up to four cycles. Results reported in this study demonstrated that CMC-Alg/GO hydrogel beads are an effective, promising and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of MB from aqueous solutions.

calculations, we are able to demonstrate that the primary adsorption mechanisms of the uptake of MB onto pomelo fruit peel are electrostatic attraction and hydrogen-bond formations, whereas the adsorption mechanisms for Cr(iii) are electrostatic attraction and n-d interactions.

, ultrasonication time (10 min), 40% ultrasonication intensity and 50 °C temperature, which were applied as independent and dependent variables. On the basis of experimental data of the dependent variables, we calculated a hydrodynamic diameter of 93.64 ± 6.48 nm, transmittance of 98.64 ± 0.37%, and PDI of 0.263 ± 0.021. TEM and SEM results revealed the smooth and spherical shape of the particles in the NE, with a zeta potential of -11.67 ± 0.11, refractive index of 1.71 ± 0.034, viscosity of 37 ± 7 cp, pH of 7.4 ± 0.07, and drug content of 98.11 ± 0.16% for the optimized Cur-NE. Cur-NE optimization with clove oil, Tween-80, and PEG-400 might be useful for enhancing the skin permeation of Cur. In conclusion, Cur-NE played a significant role in wound healing and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrating its potential as a nanoformulation for safe and nontoxic transdermal delivery.

. The iron/cobalt ratio determined by XPS ranges between 1.8 and 1.9 and it is in very good agreement, within experimental uncertainty, with the expected 2 : 1 ratio. The percentage of Fe in octahedral sites ranges between 62% and 64% for all samples. The kinetic energy of the O KLL signals increases with crystallite size. These results are explained in terms of changes in the ionicity of the metal-oxygen bonds. The results of this investigation highlight how the XPS technique represents a powerful tool to investigate the composition, the chemical state and inversion degree of cobalt spinel ferrites, contributing to the comprehension of their properties.

Nanosensors with high sensitivity utilize electrical, optical, and acoustic properties to improve the detection limits of analytes. The unique and exceptional properties of nanomaterials (large surface area to volume ratio, composition, charge, reactive sites, physical structure and potential) are exploited for sensing purposes. High-sensitivity in analyte recognition is achieved by preprocessing of samples, signal amplification and by applying different transduction approaches. In this review, types of signals produced and amplified by nanosensors (based on transducers) are presented, to sense exceptionally small concentrations of analytes present in a sample. The use of such nanosensors, sensitivity and selectivity can offer different advantages in biomedical applications like earlier detection of disease, toxins or biological threats and create significant improvements in clinical as well as environmental and industrial outcomes. The emerging discipline of nanotechnology at the boundary of life sciences and chemistry offers a wide range of prospects within a number of fields like…

, respectively, and reach the adsorption equilibrium in 15 min. We believe that the composites developed in this study can open a new avenue for designing high adsorption capacity and high efficiency adsorbents.

Coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently become a topic of interest due to the fact that they have several applications such as in electronic, antimicrobial, industrial, optical, and medical fields as biosensors and drug delivery systems. However, the use of AgNPs in medical fields remains somewhat limited due to their probable cytotoxic effect. Researchers have succeeded in reducing the toxicity of silver particles by coating them with different substances. Generally, the coating of AgNPs leads to change in their properties depending on the type of the coating material as well as the layer thickness. This review covers the state-of-the-art technologies behind (a) the synthesis of coated AgNPs including coating methods and coating materials, (b) the cytotoxicity of coated AgNPs and (c) the optical properties of coated AgNPs.

The synthesis process of the phenolic resin adhesive was developed in the 19th century, and its excellent environmental resistance and high bonding strength make it one of the main wood adhesives. With the development of industry, phenolic resin adhesive is not only used in plywood, wood processing and laminate, but also in automobile, aerospace, composite materials and other fields. Herein we review the main synthetic processes and latest research progress for phenolic resin adhesives, the capacity distribution of major domestic phenolic resin enterprises, analysis of domestic phenolic resin consumption, import and export volume and price, Chinese plywood production, and the main production and export markets. Furthermore, research and discussion on the commercial application of domestic phenolic resin adhesives in plywood were carried out, which provides a reference for development of better phenolic resin adhesives that meet the development needs of the country, along with quality and economic competitiveness.

Nanozymes, a type of nanomaterial with intrinsic enzyme-like activities, have emerged as a promising tool for disease theranostics. As a type of artificial enzyme mimic, nanozymes can overcome the shortcomings of natural enzymes, including high cost, low stability, and difficulty in storage when they are used in disease diagnosis. Moreover, the multi-enzymatic activity of nanozymes can regulate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in various cells. For example, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity can be used to scavenge ROS, and peroxidase (POD) and oxidase (OXD) activity can be used to generate ROS. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the strategies and applications of nanozyme-based disease theranostics. In addition, we address the opportunities and challenges of nanozyme-based catalytic theranostics in the near future.

Systematic administration of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs is routinely employed to minimize pain and bodily disorders. Controlled drug delivery has the potential to improve the outcomes of disorders by providing sustained exposure to efficacious drug concentrations. Herein, we report the fabrication of multi-responsive hydrogels using reactive and functional polymers such as chitosan and polyvinyl pyrrolidone by varying the concentration of a cleavable crosslinker, tetraethyl orthosilicate. The swelling indices of the hydrogels were evaluated in distilled water, solutions with different pH values and different electrolytes. FTIR, WAXRD and TGA were conducted to investigate the structures, crystallinities and thermal stabilities of the prepared multi-responsive hydrogels, respectively. The ultimate tensile strength and elongations at break of the fabricated hydrogels were investigated to assess their mechanical stability. Optical microscopy, biodegradation, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity analyses were further carried out to verify the magnified crosslinked and porous…

, including the fundamental mechanism of the Mg-H bond instability, advanced synthetic routes, stabilizing nanostructures, and predicting novel composite materials, are proposed.

. This paper reports a simple and cost-effective process for the synthesis of flexible high performance devices that may inspire new ideas for energy storage applications.

CuONPs. CuONPs could interact with bacterial cells to prevent biofilm formation, reduce swarming motility and disturb ATP production. Ultrastructural observations by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that after interactions with CuONPs, bacterial cells suffered significantly from nanomechanical damage to the cytomembrane, accompanied by the absorption of multiple nanoparticles. In addition, molecular studies identified the downregulation mechanism of a series of genes involving pathogenesis and motility. The control efficiency of CuONPs in tobacco bacterial wilt disease management under greenhouse conditions was verified by root irrigation application, demonstrating that as-prepared CuONPs significantly reduced the disease occurrence and disease index. Our studies focused on developing biosynthesized nanoparticles as a biocompatible alternative for soilborne disease management.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that play an important role in connecting the innate and adaptive immunity of the immune system. To mediate innate and adaptive immunity, DCs pass through two stages: immature and mature. The change of phenotype is closely associated with the morphological and functional characteristics of DCs. Understanding these properties of DCs is important in the context of recent efforts on the developments of biomaterials-based cancer vaccine. In this paper, the morphological and phenotypical status of DCs in both stages were compared, and their relationship to the phagocytic and migratory ability of the cells was studied using bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Immature DCs were of a circular shape and expressed low levels of costimulatory molecules, while mature DCs had longer dendrites and expressed high levels of costimulatory molecules. The phagocytic and migratory ability studied using the polymer bead uptake test and live imaging indicated that immature DCs have a pronounced phagocytic ability compared to mature DCs, while…

doped ZnO-NRs. The magnetic moment was increased upon addition of more Gd ions into the ZnO host lattice. The DFT+U calculations confirm that the presence of vacancy-complexes has a significant effect on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a pristine ZnO system.

-glucoside (95.6%). The addition of 1 wt% of BBE into the film matrix resulted in a dense and compact internal microstructure, which greatly improved the water vapor permeability and tensile strength of the film. However, the addition of 2, 3 and 4 wt% of BBE into film matrix produced heterogeneous inner microstructures due to the formation of agglomerated BBE. The intermolecular interactions between BBE and the starch film matrix were through hydrogen binding. As compared with the starch film, starch-BBE films exhibited higher thicknesses, tensile strength, UV-vis light barrier and antioxidant properties. Moreover, starch-BBE films presented significant color changes when exposed to hydrogen chloride and ammonia gases. The pH-sensitive starch-BBE films were able to monitor the freshness of pork. Our results suggested that starch-BBE films could be used as smart and active packaging materials in the food industry.

antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities) as compared with native proteins. Moreover, the applications of native proteins can be greatly widened by conjugation with phenolic compounds. Phenolic-protein conjugates have been developed as antioxidant emulsions for nutraceutical delivery, edible films for food packaging, stabilizers for metal nanoparticles, and hydrogels and nanoparticles for controlled drug release. In this review, recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, biological properties and potential applications of phenolic-protein conjugates were summarized.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) technology has attracted wide attention since its advent and is considered as one of the most promising technologies in the field of desalination and ion recycling. It is constructed with an electric field by applying a low voltage of direct-current to make ions migrate directionally in solution to achieve the purpose of ion separation and removal. The performance of CDI is heavily dependent on the electrode material. Carbon is widely used as CDI electrode material because of its lower price and better stability. To enhance the adsorption capacity, extensive research efforts have been made for the modification of carbon material. In this review, we enumerate and analyze four modification methods of carbon material including element doping, metal oxide modification, chemical treatment and surface coating. The influence of each modification method on CDI performance is concluded in the perspective mechanism and some constructive advice is put forward on how to effectively enhance the performance of CDI by the decoration of carbon materials.

Given the highly increased incidence of human diseases, a better understanding of the related mechanisms regarding endogenous metabolism is urgently needed. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has been used in a variety of disease research areas. However, the deep research of metabolites remains a difficult and lengthy process. Fortunately, mass spectrometry is considered to be a universal tool with high specificity and sensitivity and is widely used around the world. Mass spectrometry technology has been applied to various basic disciplines, providing technical support for the discovery and identification of endogenous substances in living organisms. The combination of metabolomics and mass spectrometry is of great significance for the discovery and identification of metabolite biomarkers. The mass spectrometry tool could further improve and develop the exploratory research of the life sciences. This mini review discusses metabolomics biotechnology with a focus on recent applications of metabolomics as a powerful tool to elucidate metabolic disturbances and the related mechanisms…

skin melanoma cells (B16-F10). The fusion of these advantages paves the way for further applications in energy conversion, biological applications as well as in environmental remediation.

Five new molecules ( M1–M5 ) were designed by structural modification of acceptor moiety (rhodanine-3-acetic acid) of well-known synthesized dye JY05, and their optoelectronic properties are evaluated to be used as donor molecules in organic solar cells.

Reducing friction and increasing lubrication are the goals that every tribologist pursues. Accordingly, layered graphene materials have attracted great research interest in tribology due to their anti-friction, anti-wear and excellent self-lubricating properties. However, recent studies have found that other forms of graphene derivatives not only perform better in tribological and lubricating applications, but also solve the problem of graphene being prone to agglomeration. Based on a large number of reports, herein, we review the research progress on graphene derivatives and their nanocomposites in tribology and lubrication. In the introduction, the topic of the article is introduced by highlighting the hazards and economic losses caused by frictional wear and the excellent performance of graphene materials in the field of lubrication. Then, by studying the classification of graphene materials, the research status of their applications in tribology and lubrication is introduced. The second chapter introduces the application of graphene derivatives in improving tribological…

) and low detection limit (5 μM), considering the low concentration of glucose in sweat. An on-body experiment was carried out to validate the practicability of the three-dimensional sweat monitoring device. Such a 3D-PMED can be readily expanded for the simultaneous monitoring of alternative sweat electrolytes and metabolites.

in achieving complex morphologies. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges for selecting proper microfluidics for targeted DDS production in a translational setting and introduce strategies that are used to overcome microfluidics shortcomings, like low throughput for production.

With an increase in the organic acid requirement, the production of organic acids has been increased over the years. To achieve cost-effective production of organic acids, efficient recovery processes are needed. Electro-membrane processes, including electrodialysis (ED), electrometathesis (EMT), electro-ion substitution (EIS), electro-electrodialysis (EED), electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBM), and electrodeionization (EDI), are promising technologies for the recovery of organic acids. In the electro-membrane processes, organic acids are separated from water and other impurities based on the electro-migration of ions through ion-exchange membranes. These processes can recover various types of organic acids from the fermentation broth with high recovery yield and low energy consumption. In addition, the integration of fermentation and the electro-membrane process can improve the acid recovery with lower byproduct concentration and energy consumption.

The electrical conductivity of 1879.49 ± 13.87 S cm −1 was achieved for PEDOT:PSS, which is the highest value reported to date.

for Pb(ii) ions Cd(ii) ions, respectively. For the recovery and the regeneration after the one use of the beads, several adsorption-desorption cycles were carried out to check the reusability and recovery of both the metal ion and the adsorbent without the loss of maximum adsorption efficiency.

, which showed the shortest half-life and highest biodegradation efficiency; variations in the features of enzymatic activities and microbial respiration indicated that the biochar treatment improved not only the soil fertilizer and carbon storage, but the immobilization greatly affected both the physicochemical properties of soil and bacterial activities. Moreover, the bacterial population diversity and bioavailability of hydrocarbons were promoted by the inputs of the combination of biochar and petroleum-degrading bacteria. Overall, our results highlight the potential of applying immobilized microorganisms on biochar for accelerating the biodegradation of petroleum and maintaining the balance of the soil ecosystem, which may be ascribed to the synergistic effect of biostimulation and bioaugmentation.

A robust tool to extract Mulliken and Löwdin charges for (extended) solids from plane waves has been developed and applied.

impedance analysis supported the adsorption of the inhibitor on the surface of carbon steel, and the potentiodynamic polarization indicated a mixed type of inhibitor behavior with cathodic predominance. To get a better insight on the interaction of inhibitor molecules with the metal surface, a detailed theoretical study was performed using DFT calculations, Fukui indices analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The DFT study showed a lower energy gap of CS-AMT and the MD simulations showed an increased binding energy of CS-AMT compared to the parent chitosan and triazole moieties thereby supporting the experimental findings.

HSE + SOC were used to calculate the band structures of the cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases of the double perovskites K 2 SnX 6 (X = I, Br, Cl).

unit is established by identifying the binding sites of the biomolecule with the metal ion by examining the behaviour of the sensor in the presence of ascorbic acid derivatives.

pH is a critical parameter used to specify the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution in chemistry, food processing, and medical care. In this study, a conductimetric-type micro pH sensor has been achieved using PANI membrane fabricated on a flexible substrate film aiming to monitor wound healing. The sensor is based on the incorporation of a polyaniline (PANI) membrane, interdigital electrode, and polyimide (PI) substrate. PANI was doped with dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) to obtain good conductivity. The electrodes were patterned on the PI film by etching. The contact area between the PANI and interdigital electrodes improves the responsiveness of the pH sensor. A sensitivity of 58.57 mV per pH over the entire pH range from 5.45 to 8.62 was obtained experimentally, along with a superior repeatability of 8% FS (full scale) and a temperature drift of 6.8% FS. This micro flexible pH sensor aims to monitor the pH value of wound healing, which also facilitates the realization of online monitoring of the pH for telemedicine, food safety, and home health care.

, increased removal capability, large surface area, adjustable porosity, and recyclability). Because of the poor stability of MOFs in water, pre and post synthetic modification and functionalization of MOFs have also been developed for water treatment investigations. This review addresses the performance and mechanisms of PTE removal in various modified MOFs in detail. In order to compare the performance of MOFs, here we used partition coefficient (PC) instead of maximum adsorption capacity, which is sensitively influenced by initial loading concentrations. Therefore, the PC of each material was used to evaluate the adsorption performance of different MOFs and to compare with other sorbents. Furthermore, it discusses the scale-up issues and forthcoming pathway for the research and development needs of MOFs for effective PTE removal. This review further elucidates the main removal mechanisms of PTEs by MOFs. Commercial or domestic water treatment systems or water filters can utilize engineered MOFs to treat water by adsorptive removal. However, marketable products have yet to be…

. The inhibition efficiency percentage reaches the peak (90%) at optimum concentration of 250 ppm. The Monte Carlo simulations confirm the adsorption ability of the as-prepared compounds on the Fe (1 1 0) crystal. The SEM/EDX results revealed the presence of a protective film on the mild steel sample.

showed the highest zones of inhibition of 18 mm and 20 mm, respectively. Hence, ZnO nanostructures have the potential to be used as a photocatalyst and bactericidal component.

, metallic NPs (MNPs), metal oxide NPs (MONPs) and carbon related nanomaterials). Their different proposed uptake, translocation and internalization pathways as well as elicitation mechanism along with their possible deleterious effect on plant SMs and/or phytotoxic effects are summarized. We also identified and critically discussed the current research gaps existing in this field and requiring future investigation to further improve the use of these nanomaterials for an efficient production of plant SMs.

adsorption isotherm analysis showed an enhancement in specific surface area as the Mg molar fraction increased. In addition, the FTIR spectra of the samples after soaking in SBF for various periods of time confirmed the presence of new chemical bonds related to the apatite phase, as was also confirmed by SEM observations. XRD patterns of the samples after soaking revealed that the crystallization to form a more stable apatite-like phase was hindered with increasing magnesium content in the glass composition. Furthermore, it was proved that the kinetics of drug release improved with increasing magnesium content. The porosity and the specific surface area were found to be responsible for this improvement.

= 7%. The Janus ZrSSe monolayer can absorb light in both visible and ultraviolet regions. Also, the biaxial strain has shifted the first optical gap of the Janus ZrSSe monolayer. Our findings provide additional information for the prospect of applying the Janus ZrSSe monolayer in nanoelectronic devices, especially in water splitting technology.

Epoxidation of vegetable oils by different means to improve their functional properties and to replace the harmful phthalate plasticizers along with their analysis are shown.

) under UV light and visible light irradiation at different time intervals. The photodegradation study was also evaluated with different dosages of N-ZnONCB catalyst, different initial concentrations of MB and variation in the pH (3, 5, 9 and 11) of the solution of MB under UV light and visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation intermediate products were obtained by liquid chromatography mass spectra (LC-MS) and also complete mineralization was determined by using Total Organic Carbon (TOC) studies. This photocatalyst was also tested with 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light irradiation at different time intervals. Fluorescence and quenching studies were performed for the binding interaction between the N-ZnONCB catalyst and MB dye. A Zetasizer was used to find the charge and average size of the N-ZnONCB catalyst and also the charge of the N-ZnONCB catalyst before and after MB dye solution adsorption. The N-ZnONCB catalyst was also tested for its photostability and reusability with a percentage degradation rate of MB (93.2%) after 4 cycle experiments.…

Tea-waste is an abundant feedstock for producing biochar (BC) which is considered to be a cost effective carbonaceous adsorbent useful for water remediation and soil amendment purposes. In the present study, tea-waste BC (TWBC) produced at three different temperatures were subjected to nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid modifications (abbreviated as NM, SM and HM respectively). Characteristics of the raw and modified BC such as ultimate and proximate analyses, surface morphology, surface acidity and functionality, point of zero charge, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and thermal stability were compared to evaluate the influence of pyrolysis temperature and of modifications incorporated. The amount of carboxylic and phenolic surface functionalities on TWBC was seen to decrease by 93.44% and 81.06% respectively when the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 300 to 700 °C. Additionally, the yield of BC was seen to decrease by 46% upon the latter temperature increment. The elemental analysis results provided justification for high-temperature BC being more hydrophobic as was…

The thin film composite (TFC) membrane prepared by interfacial polymerization (IP) on porous supports is currently one of the most efficient technologies for brackish water purification and seawater desalination, including reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO), and nanofiltration (NF). Over the past decades, there have been intensive and continuous efforts in research of polyamide layers, while there is little information in the literature about the impact that physical-chemical properties and structure of support membranes have on the formation of composite membranes. This paper reviews the recent research progress of the supporting membrane, comprehensively summarizes the support role in polyamide formation, and provides good insight into TFC membrane research and development. In addition, we discuss several types of polymer supporting membranes and related modification methods to explore the appropriate supporting membrane for enhancing TFC membrane performance and extending the applications in the future.

Cyanobacteria, as one of the largest groups of phototrophic bacteria, have a high potential as an excellent source of fine chemicals and bioactive compounds, including lipid-like compounds, amino acid derivatives, proteins, and pigments.

Nanocellulose, derived from cellulose hydrolysis, has unique optical and mechanical properties, high surface area, and good biocompatibility. It is frequently used as a reinforcing agent to improve the native properties of materials. The presence of functional groups in its surface enables the alteration of its behavior and its use under different conditions. Nanocellulose is typically used in the form of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), or bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). CNCs and CNFs have a high aspect ratio with typical lengths of ∼100-250 nm and 0.1-2 μm, respectively; BNC is nanostructured cellulose produced by bacteria. Nanohybrid materials are a combination of organic or inorganic nanomaterials with macromolecules forming a single composite and typically exhibit superior optical, thermal, and mechanical properties to those of native polymers, owing to the greater interactions between the macromolecule matrix and the nanomaterials. Excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability make nanocellulose an ideal material for applications in biomedicine.…

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are clinically validated epigenetic drug targets for cancer treatment. HDACs inhibitors (HDACis) have been successfully applied against a series of cancers. First-generation inhibitors are mainly pan-HDACis that target multiple isoforms which might lead to serious side effects. At present, the next-generation HDACis are mainly focused on being class- or isoform-selective which can provide improved risk-benefit profiles compared to non-selective inhibitors. Because of the rapid development in next-generation HDACis, it is necessary to have an updated and state-of-the-art overview. Here, we summarize the strategies and achievements of the selective HDACis.

In this study, we investigated the effect of liquid viscosity and surface tension for inkjet printing on porous cellulose sheets. We used five model liquids, representing the operational field of an industrial high speed inkjet printer, as specified by Ohnesorge- and Reynolds number. Drops with 30 pl and 120 pl drop size were jetted with a commercial HSI printhead. We printed on four uncoated papers representing the most relevant grades on the market in terms of hydrophobisation and surface treatment. We are presenting a quantitative analysis of viscosity and surface tension on the print outcome, evaluating dot size, liquid penetration (print through) and surface coverage of the printed dots. The most important finding is that for liquids within the jetting window the variation of the liquid viscosity typically has a 2-3 times higher impact on the print outcome than variation of the liquid surface tension. Increased viscosity in all cases reduces dot area, liquid penetration and liquid surface coverage. Surface tension plays a smaller role for liquid spreading and penetration,…

. The electrochemical performance obtained in this report illustrates hybridization of MOF nanosheets with carbon materials is promising for next generation supercapacitors.

This study aimed to develop a novel hybrid piezoelectric structure based on poly(vinylidene difluoride) nanofibers (PVDF NFs) and zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) which eliminate the need for post poling treatment in such hybrid structures. Mechanism of electrical performance enhancement of the hybrid structure is also discussed in this paper. To study the effect of hybridization on piezoelectric performance, pristine ZnO NRs and pristine PVDF NF nanogenerators were also fabricated. The piezoelectric performance of these three nanogenerators was evaluated under periodic deformation at low frequency. The output power of the hybrid structure was found to be enhanced compared to pristine ZnO NRs and PVDF NFs nanogenerators. Such simple hybrid devices that do not need to complicated post poling treatment are more efficient than previous hybrid PVDF/ZnO nanogenerators for practical application. This improved piezoelectric nanogenerator is expected to enable various applications in the field of self-powered devices and wearable energy harvesting to harvest mechanical energy from the human…

The great potential of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) in pollution control combined with energy recovery has attracted increasing attention. Classified by their functions in the BES, microorganisms including degraders, electricigens, and element cycle-related microbes play key roles in pollutant degradation and electricity generation, and the functions of these microbes are affected by various environmental and operating conditions. This review systematically summarizes the effects of crucial conditions on the efficiency of the process of contaminant removal combined with electricity generation in BESs, with particular focus on the pH, temperature, conductivity, substrates, inoculums, magnetic field and reactor design parameters, such as architecture, electrode material, and electrode potential. The aim of this review is to help reveal the microbial functions during the bioelectrochemical remediation of environmental media and to optimize the system by determining the appropriate conditions for functional microorganisms, thus better promoting the transition of BESs from the…

A novel Cu V OS catalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile method. The Cu V OS with optimum amount of N 2 H 4 had higher catalytic activity.

-vinyl) acetate (EVA) binder was removed by the pyrolysis process at the temperature of 500 °C; acetic acid and several hydrocarbon compounds were the main products of the pyrolysis process. Analysis showed that the pyrolysis of the EVA binder could be divided into two stages: deacetylation process (acetic acid formation) and long chain scission with radical reactions (hydrocarbon formation). Furthermore, the pyrolysis kinetics and pyrolysis mechanisms were studied based on the experimental data and sufficient theoretical foundation. Acetic acid was generated by the deacetylation process through a six-member cyclic transition state, and several hydrocarbon compounds were generated through a series of long chain scissions, free radical migrations and Diels-Alder cycloadditions. In this study, undamaged TPT backing materials, glass and silicon wafers were obtained, which could be recycled by further treatment. This study could perfect the process of waste crystalline silicon solar panel recycling and provide a fundamental basis for recycling the waste crystalline silicon solar panels…

-MIL-88(Fe) and mixed-MIL-88(Fe), respectively. The kinetics and isotherms of the process were best statistically described by pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively, while the thermodynamic studies revealed the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process. Docking simulations were found to be consistent with the experimental results with MIL-88(Fe) showing the best binding capacity with the ANT molecule.

) compared to the hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Overall, biochar addition could be an ideal approach that is not only expected to successfully improve the performance of AD, but also lay a new path for future biomass energy utilization.

In recent years, a massive increase has been observed in the number of published articles describing accurate and reliable molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers. This is due to several reasons, including the development of fast and efficient methods for treating long-range electrostatic interactions, significant progress in computer hardware, progress in atomistic simulation algorithms and the development of well-validated empirical molecular mechanical force fields. Although molecular dynamics is an effective approach for investigating different aspects of lipid bilayers, to the best of our knowledge, there is no review in the literature that explains the different analyses that can be carried out with membrane simulation. This review gives an overview about the some of the most important possible analyses, technical challenges, and existing protocols that can be performed on the biological membrane by molecular dynamics simulation. The reviewed analyses include the degree of membrane disruption, average area per lipid, probability distributions for the area per lipid…

, after 2000 cycles in succession, the capacitance retention rate is excellent and the cycling stability can reach as high as 90.2%. The obtained results indicate that porous carbon prepared with sakura blossom as the raw material is an effective and environmentally friendly electrode material for energy storage.

]·Phen (Ln = Nd (2)), Tfbda = 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoro-benzene-1,2-dioic acid, Tfba = 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoic acid have been afforded under hydrothermal conditions. The series of coordination polymers exhibited diverse structural motifs, from dinuclear cluster to 1-D chain arrary, displaying efficiently sensitized luminescence over a spectral range from visible to near-infrared (NIR) region and a long lifetime, due to efficient energy transfer from fluorine-substituted ligands to Ln(iii) centers in solid state. Slow relaxation magnetization and significant frequency- and temperature-dependent peaks were observed in trinuclear Dy(iii)-based coordination polymer 3. DC magnetic susceptibility studies reveal the existence of weak ferromagnetic interaction within 7.

were identified to affect the photodegradation process significantly, and the possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. The as-prepared sample was verified to possess good stability and reusability, suggesting its potential application prospect in the treatment of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Additive manufacturing (AM), which is also commonly known as 3D printing, provides flexibility in the manufacturing of complex geometric parts at competitive prices and within a low production time. However, AM has not been used to a large extent in filtration and water treatment processes. AM results in the creation of millions of nanofibers that are sublayered on top of each other and compressed into a thin membrane. AM is a novel technique for fabricating filtration membranes with different shapes, sizes and controlled porosity, which cannot be achieved using conventional process such as electrospinning and knife casting. In this paper, we review the advantages and limitations of AM processes for fabricating ceramic membranes. Moreover, a brief background of AM processes is provided, and their future prospects are examined. Due to their potential benefits for fabrication and flexibility with different materials, AM methods are promising in the field of membrane engineering.

for Pb(ii) and Cd(ii), respectively, in single-solute system, which is higher than that of some of the other adsorbents of biochar or biochar-based composites. In bi-solute system, the preferential adsorption order of BC/FM for the two metals is Pb(ii) prior to Cd(ii). Finally, FTIR and XPS analysis verified that the main mechanism of Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) removal by BC/FM is by forming Pb/Cd-O or complexation of carboxyl and hydroxyl and ion exchange. Therefore, the prepared magnetic BC/FM composite, as an excellent adsorbent, exhibited potential applications for the removal of Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) from wastewater.

standard hydrogen electrode). Combining these two abundant elements as raw materials in an energy storage context leads to the sodium-sulfur battery (NaS). This review focuses solely on the progress, prospects and challenges of the high and intermediate temperature NaS secondary batteries (HT and IT NaS) as a whole. The already established HT NaS can be further improved in terms of energy density and safety record. The IT NaS takes advantage of the lower operating temperature to lower manufacturing and potentially operating costs whilst creating a safer environment. A thorough technical discussion on the building blocks of these two battery systems is discussed here, including electrolyte, separators, cell configuration, electrochemical reactions that take place under the different operating conditions and ways to monitor and comprehend the physicochemical and electrochemical processes under these temperatures. Furthermore, a brief summary of the work conducted on the room temperature (RT) NaS system is given seeking to couple the knowledge in this field with the one at elevated…

). The zinc ion battery with bio-polymer electrolyte also shows excellent cycling stability and high bending durability. This work brings new research opportunities in developing low-cost flexible solid-state zinc ion batteries using green natural polymer.

. The sensor shows short response/recovery time (less than two minutes), complete reversibility and repeatability which are attributed to the physisorption of the gases into the MOF pores and high stability of the device.

membranes exhibited very high water permeance and competitive salt rejections in cross-flow nanofiltration, which shows the huge potential for the application of novel TFN membranes with controlled nanoparticle incorporation in industrial separation.

, the CaO electrode showed typical redox-type behaviour with well-defined peaks illustrating battery-type behaviour. The outcome of the calcite/CaO transformation, exhibiting technological importance for energy storage applications, may help to re-evaluate biowaste before throwing it away. The current work explores the viability of eggshell derived materials as a cathode/anode for use in batteries and capacitors.

This paper details a successful synthesis and comparison of a range of tri-metal hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using urea hydrolysis. Transition-metal-substituted MgMAl-LDHs were synthesized with M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn. 5 mol% and 10 mol% substitutions were performed, where Mg was substituted with Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, and Al with Fe. The successful synthesis of crystalline MgMAl-LDHs was confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was used to identify substituted metals and determine changes in composition. Changes in morphology were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the effect of Fe-, Co-, Ni-, Cu- or Zn-substitution on the thermal degradation of the MgMAl-LDH phase. The structure, morphology and thermal behavior of the LDHs were shown to be influenced by the substituted transition metals. The observed thermal stability took the order MgNiAl- > MgFeAl- = MgAl- ≥ MgCoAl- > MgCuAl- > MgZnAl-LDH. The urea hydrolysis method was shown to be a…

= 0.08 having an RL of -40 dB @ 10.5 GHz and an absorption bandwidth of 8.4 GHz @ -10 dB. With these high values of RL and absorbing bandwidth, LaY doped NiCuZn NSF products would be promising candidates for radar absorbing materials in the X-band.

), but also could be used for five cycles, maintaining its efficiency above 92.2%. These capacities made the flower-like MgO a potential candidate for polluted water treatment. Also, the underlying photocatalysis mechanism of MgO was proposed through radical trapping experiments.

The increasing number of scientific publications focusing on nanomaterials in the biomedical field indicates growing interest from the broader scientific community. Nanomedicine is a modern science, and research continues into the application of nanoscale materials for the therapy and diagnosis of damaged tissues. In this regard, substantial progress has been made in the synthesis of magnetic materials with desired sizes, morphologies, chemical compositions, and surface chemistry. Among these, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have demonstrated great promise as unique carriers in the delivery of chemical drugs due to their combinations of hollow structures. Importantly, due to the combination of the ability to respond to an external magnetic field and the rich possibilities of their coatings, magnetic materials are universal tools for the magnetic separation of small molecules, biomolecules, and cells. This review provides an overview of the synthesis and biological applications of hollow magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery systems.

, retaining 85.2% of its initial energy density after 5000 cycles, which is significant in comparison with the previously reported literature. Additionally, to check the performance of the device in real time, two HEESDs were connected in series to power a light-emitting diode. The results obtained provide significant insight into hybrid coupling, where two different faradaic electrodes can be combined in a synergistic combination for a high-performance HEESD.

by extending the onset light absorption edge. These results are important for understanding the effects of strain on the halide perovskites and guiding the experiments to improve the photovoltaic performance of the perovskite solar cells.

Competitive adsorption and diffusion behaviours of CO 2 /CH 4 /H 2 O in brown coal were explored by GCMC and MD simulations.

various strategies to overcome major obstacles such as insufficient mechanical property and uncontrollable degradation. This review presents the research status of GelMA, its structure and function, GelMA-based biomaterials and the development of methods along with their existing challenges.

. Physical adsorption and chemical adsorption are the two major mechanisms of adsorption methods used for mercury removal in aqueous sources. The recent decades' research progress is reviewed to elaborate varieties of adsorption materials ranging from materials with large surface area for physical adsorption to metal oxides for chemical adsorption. Many examples are presented to illustrate the adsorption principles and clarify the relationship between the structure and performance of the adsorbents. The combination of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption gives rise to numbers of potential mercury removal composites. This review demonstrates the adsorption mechanism and the performance of varieties of adsorbents, which would provide a comprehensive understanding on the design and fabrication of new materials for the removal of heavy metal ions in water.

of UV-C light source were used. The MB photodegradation activity of rGO-160 displayed no obvious decrease after five successive cycles. This study provides a potential metal-free adsorbent-cum-photocatalyst for the decontamination of dyes from wastewater.

The fabrication, characterization, and antibacterial activity of novel nanocomposites based on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets decorated with silver, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and zinc oxide nanoflowers were examined.

RHE) than the Pt/C counterpart. More importantly, this hybrid presented a superb durability, with only 2.6% decay after a 20 000 s continuous test, much better than the 15.8% degradation for Pt/C. This work not only demonstrates the promising performance of the FeNC/MXene hybrid nanosheet for ORR, but more importantly provides new insight into the rational design of non-noble-metal catalysts using an MXene support.