Nanosized Vanadium, Tungsten and Molybdenum Oxide Clusters Grown in Porous Chitosan Microspheres as Promising Hybrid Materials for Selective Alcohol Oxidation

Enhanced Gas Adsorption in HKUST-1@Chitosan Aerogels, Cryogels, and Xerogels: An Evaluation Study

This study investigates the use of chitosan hydrogel microspheres as a template for growing an extended network of MOF-type HKUST-1. Different drying methods (supercritical CO2, freeze-drying, and vacuum drying) were used to generate three-dimensional polysaccharide nanofibrils embedding MOF nanoclusters. The resulting HKUST-1@Chitosan beads exhibit uniform and stable loadings of HKUST-1 and were used for the adsorption of CO2, CH4, Xe, and Kr. The maximum adsorption capacity of CO2 was found to be 1.98 mmol·g-1 at 298 K and 1 bar, which is significantly higher than those of most MOF-based composite materials. Based on Henry's constants, thus-prepared HKUST-1@CS beads also exhibit fair selectivity for CO2 over CH4 and Xe over Kr, making them promising candidates for capture and separation applications.

Improving the Durability of Chitosan Films through Incorporation of Magnesium, Tungsten, and Graphene Oxides for Biomedical Applications

Bacterial infections that cause chronic wounds provide a challenge to healthcare worldwide because they frequently impede healing and cause a variety of problems. In this study, loaded with tungsten oxide (WO3 ), Magnesium oxide (MgO), and graphene oxide (GO) on chitosan (CS) membrane, an inexpensive polymer casting method was successfully prepared for wound healing applications. All fabricated composites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the synthesized film samples' morphology as well as their microstructure. The formed WO3/MgO@CS shows a great enhancement in the UV/VIS analysis with a highly intense peak at 401 nm and a narrow band gap (3.69 eV) compared to pure CS. The enhanced electron-hole pair separation rate is responsible for the WO3/MgO/GO@CS scaffold's antibacterial activity. Additionally, human lung cells were used to determine the average cell viability of nanocomposite scaffolds and reached 121 % of WO3 /MgO/GO@CS nanocomposite, and the IC50 value was found to be 1654 μg/mL. The ability of the scaffold to inhibit the bacteria has been tested against both E. coli and S. aureus. The 4th sample showed an inhibition zone of 11.5±0.5 mm and 13.5±0.5 mm, respectively. These findings demonstrate the enormous potential for WO3 /MgO/GO@CS membrane as wound dressings in the clinical management of bacterially infected wounds.

The green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanocomposite-based solid phase for the extraction of arsenic, cadmium, and lead from drinking water

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) has attracted the attention of scientists because it can increase the selectivity and sensitivity measurements of analytes. Therefore, this study is designed to synthesise magnesium oxide nanoparticles (D-MgO-NPs) by an eco-friendly method using biogenic sources Duranta erecta followed by fabricating its chitosan-based polymeric composite (D-MgO-NC) for the SPE of heavy metals (HMs), i.e., arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) from drinking water. Various analytical techniques were used for the surface characterization of D-MgO-NPs and D-MgO-NC. FTIR findings confirmed the formation of D-MgO-NC based on MgO association with the -OH/-NH2 of the chitosan. D-MgO-NC showed the smallest size of particles with rough surface morphology, followed by the crystalline cubic structure of MgO in its nanoparticle and composites. The synthesised D-MgO-NC was used as an adsorbent for the SPE of HMs from contaminated water, followed by their detection by atomic absorption spectrometry. Various experimental parameters, including pH, flow rate, the concentration of HMs, eluent composition, and volume, were optimised for the preconcentration of HMs. The limits of detection for As, Cd, and Pb of the proposed D-MgO-NC-based SPE method were found to be 0.008, 0.006, and 0.012 μm L-1, respectively. The proposed method has an enrichment factor and relative standard deviation of >200 and <5.0%, respectively. The synthesised D-MgO-NC-based SPE method was successfully applied for the quantitative detection of As, Cd, and Pb in groundwater samples, which were found in the range of 18.3 to 15.2, 3.20 to 2.49, and 8.20 to 6.40 μg L-1, respectively.

Palladium Supported on Porous Chitosan-Graphene Oxide Aerogels as Highly Efficient Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation from Formate

Adsorption of Pd(NH₃)₄²⁺ in preformed chitosan–graphene oxide (CS-GO) beads and their subsequent reduction with NaBH₄ afford well-dispersed, high dispersion (~21%) of uniformly sized Pd nanoparticles (~1.7 nm). The resulting Pd/CS-GO exhibits interesting catalytic activity for hydrogen generation by ammonium formate decomposition. The optimal GO proportion of 7 wt% allows reaching, at 60 °C, a turnover frequency above 2200 h⁻¹—being outstanding among the highest values reported for this process to date. Interestingly, no formation of CO or CH₄ was detected. The catalyst did not leach, although it underwent gradual deactivation, probably caused by the increase in the Pd average size that became over 3 nm after three uses. Our results are relevant in the context of efficient on-board hydrogen generation from liquid organic hydrogen carriers in transportation.

Phosphorylated micro- vs. nano-cellulose: a comparative study on their surface functionalisation, growth of titanium-oxo-phosphate clusters and removal of chemical pollutants

Phosphorylation imparts cellulose (amorphous or crystalline) with original surface reactivity to bridge metal oxide clusters and to scavenge for chemicals.

Chitosan-MgO Nanocomposite: One Pot Preparation and Its Utility as an Ecofriendly Biocatalyst in the Synthesis of Thiazoles and [1,3,4]thiadiazoles

A chitosan-MgO hybrid nanocomposite was prepared using a simple chemical precipitation method and characterized using Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanocomposite was served as a powerful ecofriendly basic catalyst under microwave irradiation in the synthesis of two novel series of 5-arylazo-2-hydrazonothiazoles 4a–j and 2-hydrazono[1,3,4]thiadiazoles 8a–d, incorporating a sulfonamide group. The structures of the synthesized products were elucidated by spectral data and elemental analyses. Also, their yield percentages were calculated using triethylamine (as a traditional catalyst) and chitosan-MgO nanocomposite (as a green recyclable catalyst) in a comparative study.

Review on the Production of Polysaccharide Aerogel Particles

A detailed study of the production of polysaccharide aerogel (bio-aerogel) particles from lab to pilot scale is surveyed in this article. An introduction to various droplets techniques available in the market is given and compared with the lab scale production of droplets using pipettes and syringes. An overview of the mechanisms of gelation of polysaccharide solutions together with non-solvent induced phase separation option is then discussed in the view of making wet particles. The main steps of particle recovery and solvent exchange are briefly described in order to pass through the final drying process. Various drying processes are overviewed and the importance of supercritical drying is highlighted. In addition, we present the characterization techniques to analyse the morphology and properties of the aerogels. The case studies of bio-aerogel (agar, alginate, cellulose, chitin, κ-carrageenan, pectin and starch) particles are reviewed. Potential applications of polysaccharide aerogel particles are briefly given. Finally, the conclusions summarize the prospects of the potential scale-up methods for producing bio-aerogel particles.

The recent development of efficient Earth-abundant transition-metal nanocatalysts

Whereas noble metal compounds have long been central in catalysis, Earth-abundant metal-based catalysts have in the same time remained undeveloped. Yet the efficacy of Earth-abundant metal catalysts was already shown at the very beginning of the 20th century with the Fe-catalyzed Haber-Bosch process of ammonia synthesis and later in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Nanoscience has revolutionized the world of catalysis since it was observed that very small Au nanoparticles (NPs) and other noble metal NPs are extraordinarily efficient. Therefore the development of Earth-abundant metals NPs is more recent, but it has appeared necessary due to their "greenness". This review highlights catalysis by NPs of Earth-abundant transition metals that include Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, early transition metals (Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb and W) and their nanocomposites with emphasis on basic principles and literature reported during the last 5 years. A very large spectrum of catalytic reactions has been successfully disclosed, and catalysis has been examined for each metal starting with zero-valent metal NPs followed by oxides and other nanocomposites. The last section highlights the catalytic activities of bi- and trimetallic NPs. Indeed this later family is very promising and simultaneously benefits from increased stability, efficiency and selectivity, compared to monometallic NPs, due to synergistic substrate activation.

The recent development of efficient Earth-abundant transition-metal nanocatalysts

This review presents the recent remarkable developments of efficient Earth-abundant transition-metal nanocatalysts.

Conferring Natural-Derived Porous Microspheres with Surface Multifunctionality through Facile Coordination-Enabled Self-Assembly Process

In this study, multifunctional chitin microspheres are synthesized and utilized as a platform for multiple potential applications in enzyme immobilization, catalytic reduction and adsorption. Porous chitin microspheres with an average diameter of 111.5 μm and a porous architecture are fabricated through a thermally induced phase separation method. Then, the porous chitin microspheres are conferred with surface multifunctionality through facile coordination-enabled self-assembly of tannic acid (TA) and titanium (Ti(IV)) bis(ammonium lactate)dihydroxide (Ti-BALDH). The multipoint hydrogen bonds between TA and chitin microspheres confer the TA-Ti(IV) coating with high adhesion capability to adhere firmly to the surface of the chitin microspheres. In view of the biocompatibility, porosity and surface activity, the multifunctional chitin microspheres are used as carriers for enzyme immobilization. The enzyme-conjugated multifunctional porous microspheres exhibit high catalytic performance (102.8 U·mg(-1) yeast alcohol dehydrogenase). Besides, the multifunctional chitin microspheres also find potential applications in the catalytic reduction (e.g., reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles) and efficient adsorption of heavy metal ions (e.g., Pb(2+)) taking advantages of their porosity, reducing capability and chelation property.

Biopolymer colloids for controlling and templating inorganic synthesis

Biopolymers and biopolymer colloids can act as controlling agents and templates not only in many processes in nature, but also in a wide range of synthetic approaches. Inorganic materials can be either synthesized ex situ and later incorporated into a biopolymer structuring matrix or grown in situ in the presence of biopolymers. In this review, we focus mainly on the latter case and distinguish between the following possibilities: (i) biopolymers as controlling agents of nucleation and growth of inorganic materials; (ii) biopolymers as supports, either as molecular supports or as carrier particles acting as cores of core-shell structures; and (iii) so-called "soft templates", which include on one hand stabilized droplets, micelles, and vesicles, and on the other hand continuous scaffolds generated by gelling biopolymers.

Copper nanoparticles supported on doped graphenes as catalyst for the dehydrogenative coupling of silanes and alcohols

Copper nanoparticles (NPs) supported on a series of undoped and doped graphene materials (Gs) have been obtained by pyrolysis of alginate or chitosan biopolymers, modified or not with boric acid, containing Cu(2+) ions at 900 °C under inert atmosphere. The resulting Cu-G materials containing about 17 wt % Cu NPs (from 10 to 200 nm) exhibit high catalytic activity for the dehydrogenative coupling of silanes with alcohols. The optimal material consisting on Cu-(B)G is more efficient than Cu NPs on other carbon supports.

Always look on the "light" side of life: sustainable carbon aerogels

The production of carbon aerogels based on the conversion of inexpensive and abundant precursors using environmentally friendly processes is a highly attractive subject in materials chemistry today. This article reviews the latest developments regarding the rapidly developing field of carbonaceous aerogels prepared from biomass and biomass-derived precursors, highlighting exciting and innovative approaches to green, sustainable nanomaterial synthesis. A review of the state-of-the-art technologies will be provided with a specific focus on two complimentary synthetic approaches developed upon the principles of green chemistry. These carbonaceous aerogel synthesis strategies, namely the Starbon and carbogel approaches, can be regarded as "top-down" and "bottom-up" strategies, respectively. The structural properties can be easily tailored by controlling synthetic parameters such as the precursor selection and concentration, the drying technique employed and post-synthesis temperature annealing. In addition to these parameters, the behavior of these sustainable carbon aerogel platforms in a variety of environmental and energy-related applications will also be discussed, including water remediation and fuel cell chemistry (i.e., the oxygen reduction reaction). This Review reveals the fascinating variety of highly porous, versatile, nanostructured, and functional carbon-based aerogels accessible through the highlighted sustainable synthetic platforms.