Synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of ZnO nanoparticles by N-(trimethoxysilylpropyl) ethylenediamine triacetic acid (TMSEDTA): Investigation of the interactions between Phloroglucinol and ZnO@TMSEDTA

Garlic Cellulosic Powders with Immobilized AgO and CuO Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization of the Nanocomposites, and Application to the Catalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes

Nanomaterials have attracted specific consideration due to their specific characteristics and uses in several promising fields. In the present study, Chondrilla juncea was employed as a biological extract to facilitate the reduction of copper and silver ions within garlic peel powders. The resulting garlic-CuO and garlic-AgO nanocomposites were characterized using several analytical methods including FTIR, TGA/DTG, SEM, TEM, and XRD analyses. The garlic peel exhibited a rough surface. The nanoparticles were evenly dispersed across its surface. The incorporation of CuO and AgO nanoparticles affected the crystal structure of garlic peel. The establishment of CuO and AgO nanoparticles was evidenced by the highest residual mass values observed for the prepared nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the prepared nanocomposites had lower thermal stability compared with garlic peel powders. The prepared nanocomposites were used for catalytic degradation of naphthol blue black B and calmagite. The decolorization process depended on the quantity of H2O2, initial concentration of azo dyes, duration of contact, and temperature of the bath. The calculated activation energy (Ea) values for the garlic-CuO nanocomposites were found to be 18.44 kJ mol-1 and 23.28 kJ mol-1 for calmagite and naphthol solutions, respectively. However, those calculated for garlic-AgO nanocomposites were found to be 50.01 kJ mol-1 and 12.44 kJ mol-1 for calmagite and naphthol, respectively.

Nanotechnology-based fungal detection and treatment: current status and future perspective

Fungal infections impose a significant impact on global health and encompass major expenditures in medical treatments. Human mycoses, a fungal co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2, is caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Recently, there is increasing threat about spread of antimicrobial resistance in fungus, mostly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections are associated with several issues, including tedious and non-selective detection methods, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, severe side effects, and ineffective drug delivery. Thus, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method and a high-efficacy and low-toxicity therapeutic approach are needed. Nanomedicine has emerged as a viable option for overcoming these limitations. Due to the unique physicochemical and optical properties of nanomaterials and newer biosensing techniques, nanodiagnostics play an important role in the accurate and prompt differentiation and detection of fungal diseases. Additionally, nano-based drug delivery techniques can increase drug permeability, reduce adverse effects, and extend systemic circulation time and drug half-life. This review paper is aimed at highlighting recent, promising, and unique trends in nanotechnology to design and develop diagnostics and treatment methods for fungal diseases.

A bionanocomposite of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/ZnO-nanoparticles intended for food packaging

Films-based bionanocomposites have gained a great importance in food plastic packaging because they are eco-friendly materials and have the potential to improve food protection, while limiting the accumulation of synthetic plastics on the planet. In this paper, biofilms were prepared using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) reinforced with Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to develop new bionanocomposite materials intended for food packaging. The samples were fabricated using first solvent casting method followed by melt compounding at various loading rates, i.e., 1.5, 3 and 6 wt%. The obtained results showed that the incorporation of ZnO-NPs to PHBHHx at 3 wt% leads to higher crystallinity, improved mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity, compared with neat polymer and other bionanocomposites. This was attributed to the finer and homogeneous nanofiller dispersion in the polymer matrix evidenced by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Whereas at 6 wt%, the bionanocomposite sample exhibited low mechanical properties due to the formation of ZnO-NPs aggregates. In view of the obtained results, the study highlights the potential of using the PHBHHx/ZnO-NPs bionanocomposite at 3 wt% in food packaging without any prior filler treatment.

Synthesis and Spectral Characterisation of Fabricated Cerium-Doped Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles: Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential and Its Membranolytic Activity through Large Unilamellar Vesicles

Considerable attention has been given to Magnesium oxide nanoparticles lately due to their antimicrobial potential, low toxicity to humans, high thermal stability, biocompatibility, and low cost of production. However, their successful transformation into sustainable drugs is limited due to their low membrane permeability, which reduces their bioavailability in target cells. Herein we propose Cerium-doped magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgOCeNPs) as a powerful solution to above mentioned limitations and are compared with MgO NPs for their membrane permeability and antimicrobial activity. Both pure and Ce-doped were characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, in which an X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination reveals the lattice patterns for doped nanoparticles. Furthermore, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed the three-dimensional (3D) structure and height of the nanoparticle. The crystal structure (FCC) of MgO did not change with Ce doping. However, microstructural properties like lattice parameter, crystallite size and biological activity of MgO significantly changed with Ce doping. In order to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of MgOCeNPs in comparison to MgO NPs and to understand the underlying mechanisms, the antibacterial activity was investigated against human pathogenic bacteria E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and antifungal activity against THY-1, a fungal strain. MgOCeNPs were studied by several methods, which resulted in a strong antibacterial and antifungal activity in the form of an elevated zone of inhibition, reduced growth curve, lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₈₀) and enhanced cytotoxicity in both bacterial and fungal strain as compared to MgO nanoparticles. The study of the growth curve showed early and prolonged stationary phase and early decline log phase. Both bacterial and fungal strains showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity with enhancement in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and formation of pores in the membrane when interacting with egg-phosphatidylcholine model Large Unilamellar Vesicles (LUVs). The proposed mechanism of MgOCeNPs toxicity evidently is membranolytic activity and induction of ROS production, which may cause oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity. These results confirmed that MgOCeNPs are a novel and very potent antimicrobial agent with a great promise of controlling and treating other microbes.

Covalently-Bonded Coating of L-Arginine Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles with Dextran Using Co-Precipitation Method

In this study, L-arginine (Arg) modified magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (RMNPs) were firstly synthesized through a one-step co-precipitation method, and then these aminated nanoparticles (NPs) were, again, coated by pre-oxidized dextran (Dext), in which aldehyde groups (DextCHO) have been introduced on the polymer chain successfully via a strong chemical linkage. Arg, an amino acid, acts as a mediator to link the Dext to a magnetic core. The as-synthesized Arg-modified and Dext-coated arginine modified Fe₃O₄ NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Both synthesized samples, XRD pattern and FT-IR spectra proved that the core is magnetite. FT-IR confirmed that the chemical bonds of Arg and Dext both exist in the samples. SEM images showed that the NPs are spherical and have an acceptable distribution size, and the VSM analysis indicated the superparamagnetic behavior of samples. The saturation magnetization was decreased after Dext coating, which confirms successive coating RMNPs with Text. In addition, the TGA analysis demonstrated that the prepared magnetic nanocomposites underwent various weight loss levels, which admitted the modification of magnetic cores with Arg and further coating with Dext.

Hybrid Organic-Inorganic-Organic Isoporous Membranes with Tunable Pore Sizes and Functionalities for Molecular Separation

Accomplishing on-demand molecular separation with a high selectivity and good permeability is very desirable for pollutant removal and chemical and pharmaceutical processing. The major challenge for sub-10 nm filtration of particles and molecules is the fabrication of high-performance membranes with tunable pore size and designed functionality. Here, a versatile top-down approach is demonstrated to produce such a membrane using isoporous block copolymer membranes with well-defined pore sizes combined with growth of metal oxide using sequential infiltration synthesis and atomic layer deposition (SIS and ALD). The pore size of the membranes is tuned by controlled metal oxide growth within and onto the polymer channels, enabling up to twofold pore diameter reduction. Following the growth, the distinct functionalities are readily incorporated along the membrane nanochannels with either hydrophobic, cationic, or anionic groups via straightforward and scalable gas/liquid-solid interface reactions. The hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the membrane nanochannel is significantly changed by the introduction of hydrophilic metal oxide and hydrophobic fluorinated groups. The functionalized membranes exhibit a superior selectivity and permeability in separating 1-2 nm organic molecules and fractionating similar-sized proteins based on size, charge, and hydrophobicity. This demonstrates the great potential of organic-inorganic-organic isoporous membranes for high-performance molecular separation in numerous applications.

A Physical-Chemical Study of the Interference of Ceftriaxone Antibiotic with Copper Chloride Salt

The nano-CuCl₂.2H₂O salt was prepared by the ball milling method. The association parameters for bulk and nano-CuCl₂ salts in H₂O are estimated at different temperatures using the conductivity method by applying the Fuoss-Shedlovsky equation and it was higher for nano-CuCl₂ than bulk CuCl₂ salt. The interaction between the cation (Cu²⁺) and ligand (ceftriaxone) in H₂O was determined also by the conductometric method. Two stoichiometric complexes 1/2 and 1/1 (M/L) are estimated and follow the order K _f (1/1) > K _f (1 : 2) and ∆G _f (1/1) > ∆G _f (1/2) for (M : L) (in negative values) indicate the favorable of formation of (1/1) complex compared to the (1 : 2) complex. The Gibbs free energies change was increased in negative signs with increasing the temperature. The antimicrobial activities of CFT, bulk Cu-CFT complex, and nano-Cu-CFT complex were studied on LB agar by the disc diffusion technique against clinical isolates of gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Fungi (Candida albicans). It was observed that (CFT) has a higher zone of inhibition and antibacterial activity than that of bulk and nano-Cu-CFT complexes in Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram-negative bacteria). The nano-Cu-CFT complex showed a higher clear zone of inhibition and antifungal activity against candida than bulk Cu-CFT complex while the absence of the inhibition zone in CFT, so nano-Cu-CFT complex, can be used as an antifungal drug.

Nanomaterial-Based Antifungal Therapies to Combat Fungal Diseases Aspergillosis, Coccidioidomycosis, Mucormycosis, and Candidiasis

Over the last years, invasive infections caused by filamentous fungi have constituted a serious threat to public health worldwide. Aspergillus, Coccidioides, Mucorales (the most common filamentous fungi), and Candida auris (non-filamentous fungus) can cause infections in humans. They are able to cause critical life-threatening illnesses in immunosuppressed individuals, patients with HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, hematological diseases, transplantation, and chemotherapy. In this review, we describe the available nanoformulations (both metallic and polymers-based nanoparticles) developed to increase efficacy and reduce the number of adverse effects after the administration of conventional antifungals. To treat aspergillosis and infections caused by Candida, multiple strategies have been used to develop new therapeutic alternatives, such as incorporating coating materials, complexes synthesized by green chemistry, or coupled with polymers. However, the therapeutic options for coccidioidomycosis and mucormycosis are limited; most of them are in the early stages of development. Therefore, more research needs to be performed to develop new therapeutic alternatives that contribute to the progress of this field.

One Step In-Situ Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Cotton Fabrics

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have acquired great significance in the textile sector due to their impressive efficiency and multifold utilization, such as antimicrobials, UV protection, photo catalytic activity, and self-cleaning. The aim of this work is in-situ growth of ZnO NPs on 100% cotton fabrics with the one-step hydrothermal method for preparation of multifunctional textile with UV protecting, antibacterial, and photo catalytic properties. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Zinc nitrate hexahydrate [Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O] were used as reactants for the growth of zinc oxide on the 100% cotton fabrics. The loaded amount of Zn contents on the cotton fabric was determined by using induced coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The surface morphological characterization of deposited ZnO NPs was examined, employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characterization results showed the presence of ZnO NPs on cotton fabrics having hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure. The synthesized ZnO NPs on fabrics exhibited promising results for antibacterial, UV protection, and photo catalytic performance.

Melatonin-Loaded Nanocarriers: New Horizons for Therapeutic Applications

The use of nanosized particles has emerged to facilitate selective applications in medicine. Drug-delivery systems represent novel opportunities to provide stricter, focused, and fine-tuned therapy, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemical agents at the molecular level while reducing their toxic effects. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytriptamine) is a small indoleamine secreted essentially by the pineal gland during darkness, but also produced by most cells in a non-circadian manner from which it is not released into the blood. Although the therapeutic promise of melatonin is indisputable, aspects regarding optimal dosage, biotransformation and metabolism, route and time of administration, and targeted therapy remain to be examined for proper treatment results. Recently, prolonged release of melatonin has shown greater efficacy and safety when combined with a nanostructured formulation. This review summarizes the role of melatonin incorporated into different nanocarriers (e.g., lipid-based vesicles, polymeric vesicles, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, charge carriers in graphene, electro spun nanofibers, silica-based carriers, metallic and non-metallic nanocomposites) as drug delivery system platforms or multilevel determinations in various in vivo and in vitro experimental conditions. Melatonin incorporated into nanosized materials exhibits superior effectiveness in multiple diseases and pathological processes than does free melatonin; thus, such information has functional significance for clinical intervention.

Synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Pergularia tomentosa leaves and decolorization studies

In this investigation, Pergularia tomentosa leaves were used as a promising source of bioproducts for the reduction of copper sulfate into copper oxide nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FI-IR showed the presence of hydroxyl, ester, and aromatic groups, which are characteristics of phenolics and other bioproducts. SEM features exhibited spherical and agglomerated particles. In EDX data, the peak at 1 Kev, is an index of metallic nanoparticles of copper. The signals related to C and O peaks indicated the presence of phytochemicals in the studied extract. The synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles had a face-centered cubic structure. The size of the nanoparticles varied from 1.7 to 15.2 nm. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue using copper oxide nanoparticles reached 93.2 mg/g (pH = 6, T = 22 °C, adsorbent dose = 0.0125 g). Additionally, methylene blue solution was completely decolorized after 2 min of reaction (pH = 6, 0.0057 mg NaBH₄, C₀ = 10 mg/L, catalyst = 0.005 g). NOVELTY STATEMENTIn this study, Pergularia tomentosa leaves were used, for the first time, as a biomaterial rich in bioproducts for the reduction of copper sulfate into copper oxide nanoparticles. The prepared particles act as promising materials for the decolorization of contaminated water via both adsorption and degradation processes.

Immobilization of copper oxide nanoparticles onto chitosan biopolymer: Application to the oxidative degradation of Naphthol blue black

In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles, prepared using pistacia vera hull extract, were immobilized onto chitosan. FT-IR spectrum of copper oxide-chitosan exhibited chemical shifting of the main peaks of the biopolymer indicating that hydroxyl and amino groups were reacted with copper oxide nanoparticles. SEM features showed spherical surface and physical stability of the composite. The shifting of the burning temperature in DTA from 278.5 °C to 212.6 °C in the composite proved the interaction between chitosan and copper oxide nanoparticles. The composite was applied for the oxidative degradation of naphthol blue black in the presence of H₂O₂. The change of copper oxide nanoparticles loading, time, dye concentration, temperature, and oxidant dose were studied. The degradation yield reached 86 % (C₀ = 30 mg/L, T=20 °C, H₂O₂ = 8 mL/L). The activation energy (E_a), entropy (ΔS*) and enthalpy (ΔH*) were equal to 45.558 KJ. mol^-1, -116.203 J mol^-1 K^-1 and 42.986 kJ mol^-1, respectively.

A Review on Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Effective Applications in Membranes and Adsorbents for Water Treatment and Gas Separation

Globally, environmental challenges have been recognised as a matter of concern. Among these challenges are the reduced availability and quality of drinking water, and greenhouse gases that give rise to change in climate by entrapping heat, which result in respirational illness from smog and air pollution. Globally, the rate of demand for the use of freshwater has outgrown the rate of population increase; as the rapid growth in town and cities place a huge pressure on neighbouring water resources. Besides, the rapid growth in anthropogenic activities, such as the generation of energy and its conveyance, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, warming the planet. Polymer nanocomposite has played a significant role in finding solutions to current environmental problems. It has found interest due to its high potential for the reduction of gas emission, and elimination of pollutants, heavy metals, dyes, and oil in wastewater. The revolution of integrating developed novel nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and activated carbon, in polymers, have instigated revitalizing and favourable inventive nanotechnologies for the treatment of wastewater and gas separation. This review discusses the effective employment of polymer nanocomposites for environmental utilizations. Polymer nanocomposite membranes for wastewater treatment and gas separation were reviewed together with their mechanisms. The use of polymer nanocomposites as an adsorbent for toxic metals ions removal and an adsorbent for dye removal were also discussed, together with the mechanism of the adsorption process. Patents in the utilization of innovative polymeric nanocomposite membranes for environmental utilizations were discussed.

Comparative Study on the Influence of Noble Metal Nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Pd) on the Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO NPs Embedded in Renewable Castor Oil Polymer Matrices

Hybrid polymeric materials, due to the unique combination of properties that can be obtained by the convenient variation of organic and inorganic components, represent an attractive alternative for many applications, especially photocatalysis. Herein, we report the preparation of nanocomposite films containing functionalized ZnO nanoparticles, as well as in situ photogenerated noble metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Pd), for the achieving of materials with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light. The flexible free-standing nanocomposite films were synthesized by photopolymerization of a monomer mixture (silane castor oil urethane dimethacrylate and polypropylene oxide urethane dimethacrylate) in the presence of a Irgacure 819 photoinitiator. The efficiency of ZnO NPs functionalization was established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis, while the polymer composites were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to evidence the formation, size and distribution of the nanoparticles inside the photocrosslinked matrix. To establish the photocatalytic capacity of nanocomposite films, the decomposition of various pollutants (methyl orange, phenol, metronidazole) was monitored under visible light irradiation, the best results being obtained for Au/ZnO film. Also, the advantage of immobilizing the catalysts in a polymeric support and its recycling ability without a significant decrease in photocatalytic efficiency was analysed.

Variable Wall Permeability Effects on Flow and Heat Transfer in a Leaky Channel Containing Water-Based Nanoparticles

This work presents the effects of variable wall permeability on two-dimensional flow and heat transfer in a leaky narrow channel containing water-based nanoparticles. The nanofluid is absorbed through the walls with an exponential rate. This situation arises in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and transpiration cooling in industry. The mathematical model is developed by using the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. Using stream function, the transport equations are reduced and solved by using regular perturbation method. The expressions for stream function and temperature distribution are established, which helps in finding the components of velocity, wall shear stress, and heat transfer rate inside the channel. The results show that velocity components, temperature, wall shear stress, and rate of heat transfer are minimum at the entrance region due to the reabsorption of fluid containing nanoparticles. Additionally, with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles, the rate of heat transfer enhances at all positions inside the channel. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles show higher wall shear stress compared to copper and alumina. The streamlines confirms that all the fluid is reabsorbed before reaching the exit region of the channel for high reabsorption.

Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites of Selected Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Corrosion Inhibition Studies on Mild Steel in HCl Solution

Nanocomposites of ZnO and some selected polymers, namely, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), and polyacrylonitrile, were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The FTIR and UV-vis spectra confirmed the successful formation of the polymer nanocomposites. TGA results revealed that the synthesized polymer nanocomposites are more thermally stable than the polymers alone. ZnO nanoparticles were about 50-75 nm in size, assumed a rodlike shape, and got embedded in the polymer matrices, as revealed by TEM images. Corrosion inhibition potentials of the synthesized ZnO/polymer nanocomposites were investigated for mild steel in 5% HCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results showed that each ZnO/polymer nanocomposite inhibits mild steel corrosion in 5% HCl solution better than the respective polymer alone. The nanocomposites, according to PDP studies, behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor. The predominant mode of adsorption of the nanocomposites to a mild steel surface was found to be mixed type, and the adsorption process obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Scanning electron microscopy images also revealed the protective attributes of the ZnO/polymer nanocomposites for mild steel in 5% HCl solution.