Integrated polyaniline with graphene oxide-iron tungsten nitride nanoflakes as ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for precise detection of 4-nitrophenol within aquatic media

2D MXene-Based Nanoscale Materials for Electrochemical Sensing Toward the Detection of Hazardous Pollutants: A Perspective

MXenes (Mn+1XnTx), a subgroup of 2-dimensional (2D) materials, specifically comprise transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides. They exhibit exceptional electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties, making them well-suited for the detection and removal of pollutants from aqueous environments. Because of their high surface area and remarkable properties, they are being utilized in various applications, including catalysis, sensing, and adsorption, to combat pollution and mitigate its adverse effects. Different characterization techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy have been used for the structural elucidation of 2D MXene. Current responses against applied potential were measured during the electrochemical sensing of the hazardous pollutants in an aqueous system using a variety of electroanalytical techniques, including differential pulse voltammetry, amperometry, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry, etc. In this review, a comprehensive discussion on structural patterns, synthesis, properties of MXene and their application for electrochemical detection of lethal pollutants like hydroquionone, phenol, catechol, mercury and lead, etc. are presented. This review will be helpful to critically understand the methods of synthesis and application of MXenes for the removal of environmental pollutants.

Biosensors for metastatic cancer cell detection

Early detection and effective cancer treatment are critical to improving metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and management today. In particular, accurate qualitative diagnosis of metastatic cancer cell represents an important step in the diagnosis of cancer. Today, biosensors have been widely developed due to the daily need to measure different chemical and biological species. Biosensors are utilized to quantify chemical and biological phenomena by generating signals that are directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte present in the reaction. Biosensors are widely used in disease control, drug delivery, infection detection, detection of pathogenic microorganisms, and markers that indicate a specific disease in the body. These devices have been especially popular in the field of metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and treatment due to their portability, high sensitivity, high specificity, ease of use and short response time. This article examines biosensors for metastatic cancer cells. It also studies metastatic cancer cells and the mechanism of metastasis. Finally, the function of biosensors and biomarkers in metastatic cancer cells is investigated.

Pencil Graphite Electrocatalytic Sensors Modified by Pyrene Coated Reduced Graphene Oxide Decorated with Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoroses for Hydrazine and 4-Nitrophenol Detection in Real Water Samples

Novel nanostructured platforms based on Pencil Graphite Electrodes (PGEs), modified with pyrene carboxylic acid (PCA) functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), and then decorated by chronoamperometry electrodeposition of MoS2 nanoroses (NRs) (MoS2NRs/PCA-rGO/PGEs) were manufactured for the electrocatalytic detection of hydrazine (N2H4) and 4-nitrophenol, pollutants highly hazardous for environment and human health. The surface morphology and chemistry of the MoS2NRs/PCA-rGO/PGEs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), assessing the coating of the PCA-rGO/PGEs by dense multilayers of NRs. N2H4 and 4-nitrophenol have been monitored by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV), and the MoS2NRs/PCA-rGO/PGEs electroanalytical properties have been compared to the PGEs, as neat and modified by PCA-rGO. The MoS2NRs/PCA-rGO/PGEs demonstrated a higher electrochemical and electrocatalytic activity, due to their high surface area and conductivity, and very fast heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics at the interphase with the electrolyte. LODs lower than the U.S. EPA recommended concentration values in drinking water, namely 9.3 nM and 13.3 nM, were estimated for N2H4 and 4-nitrophenol, respectively and the MoS2NRs/PCA-rGO/PGEs showed good repeatability, reproducibility, storage stability, and selectivity. The effectiveness of the nanoplatforms for monitoring N2H4 and 4-nitrophenol in tap, river, and wastewater was addressed.

Graphene oxide/cellulose nanofibril composite: A high-performance catalyst for the fabrication of an electrochemical sensor for quantification of p-nitrophenol, a hazardous water pollutant

The detection and quantification of p-Nitrophenol (p-NP) in environmental samples are important for understanding the extent and impact of environmental pollution, protecting human health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding remediation efforts. The main objective of this work was to investigate the electrochemical performance of a graphene oxide/cellulose nanofibril composite (GO/CNF) modified carbon paste electrode (GO/CNF/CPE) for the sensitive and reliable detection of p-nitrophenol in water samples. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique was employed to enlighten the structure of nanocomposites. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated electrochemical sensor was characterized via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimized analytical conditions, the peak current of the analyte showed a wide linear relationship with its concentration in a range of 3.0 nM-210 μM with a low amount of the limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.8 nM determined by the DPV method. The proposed electrochemical sensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy metrics in real sample analysis of p-nitrophenol.

Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Asymmetric Membranes/Composites for Biomedical Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of porous crystalline materials composed of metal and organic material. MOFs have fascinating properties, such as fine tunability, large specific surface area, and high porosity. MOFs are widely used for environmental protection, biosensors, regenerative medicine, medical engineering, cell therapy, catalysts, and drug delivery. Recent studies have reported various significant properties of MOFs for biomedical applications, such as drug detection and delivery. In contrast, MOFs have limitations such as low stability and low specificity in binding to the target. MOF-based membranes improve the stability and specificity of conventional MOFs by increasing the surface area and developing the possibility of MOF-ligand binding, while conjugated membranes dramatically increase the area of active functional groups. This special property makes them attractive for drug and biosensor fabrication, as both the spreading and solubility components of the porosity can be changed. Asymmetric membranes are a structure with high potential in the biomedical field, due to the different characteristics on its two surfaces, the possibility of adjusting various properties such as the size of porosity, transfer rate and selectivity, and surface properties such as hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. MOF assisted asymmetric membranes can provide a platform with different properties and characteristics in the biomedical field. The latest version of MOF materials/membranes has several potential applications, especially in medical engineering, cell therapy, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine, which will be discussed in this review, along with their advantages, disadvantages, and challenges.

Sensitive detection of 4-nitrophenol based on pyridine diketopyrrolopyrrole-functionalized graphene oxide direct electrochemical sensor

For highly sensitive detection of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the environment, a novel pyridine diketopyrrolopyrrole-functionalized graphene oxide (PDPP-GO) composite was constructed for the first time by an improved Hummers' method. Herein, PDPP was completely dissolved in sulfuric acid (6 mol L^-1) and reacted with GO, promoting PDPP evenly adhering to the GO surface. Moreover, the specific surface area increased from 15.51 to 22.033 m² g^-1. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy simultaneously demonstrated that PDPP was bound to GO by the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking conjugation. During the cyclic voltammetry test, the PDPP-GO coated glassy carbon electrode (PDPP-GO/GCE) direct electrochemical sensor gave expression to the best electrocatalytic activity for 4-nitrophenol detection than GO/GCE and bare GCE. Under optimization conditions, the as-prepared PDPP-GO/GCE sensor brought out remarkable sensitivities of 18.54 (0.5-50 μM) and 6.61 μA μM^-1 cm^-2 (50-163 μM) in the linear detection of 4-NP. Besides, a low detection limit of 0.10 μM, reliable long-term stability, excellent selectivity, and reproducibility were obtained. In the real sample test, the PDPP-GO/GCE demonstrated sensitive and reliable determination.

Synergistically Enhancing the Therapeutic Effect on Cancer, via Asymmetric Bioinspired Materials

The undesirable side effects of conventional chemotherapy are one of the major problems associated with cancer treatment. Recently, with the development of novel nanomaterials, tumor-targeted therapies have been invented in order to achieve more specific cancer treatment with reduced unfavorable side effects of chemotherapic agents on human cells. However, the clinical application of nanomedicines has some shortages, such as the reduced ability to cross biological barriers and undesirable side effects in normal cells. In this order, bioinspired materials are developed to minimize the related side effects due to their excellent biocompatibility and higher accumulation therapies. As bioinspired and biomimetic materials are mainly composed of a nanometric functional agent and a biologic component, they can possess both the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials and the advantages of biologic agents, such as prolonged circulation time, enhanced biocompatibility, immune modulation, and specific targeting for cancerous cells. Among the nanomaterials, asymmetric nanomaterials have gained attention as they provide a larger surface area with more active functional sites compared to symmetric nanomaterials. Additionally, the asymmetric nanomaterials are able to function as two or more distinct components due to their asymmetric structure. The mentioned properties result in unique physiochemical properties of asymmetric nanomaterials, which makes them desirable materials for anti-cancer drug delivery systems or cancer bio-imaging systems. In this review, we discuss the use of bioinspired and biomimetic materials in the treatment of cancer, with a special focus on asymmetric nanoparticle anti-cancer agents.

Recent advances in electrochemical-based sensors amplified with carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) for sensing pharmaceutical and food pollutants

Foodborne-related infections due to additives and pollutants pose a considerable task for food processing enterprises. Therefore, the competent, cost-effective, and quick investigation of nutrition additives and contaminants is essential to reduce the threat of public fitness problems. The electrochemical sensor (ECS) shows facile and potent analytical approaches desirable for food protection and quality inspection over traditional methods. The consequence of a broad display of nanomaterials has paved the path for their relevance in designing high-performance ECSs appliances for medical diagnostics and conditions and food protection. This review article has discussed the importance of electrochemical-based sensors amplified with carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs). Initially, we have demonstrated the types of pharmaceutical and food/agriculture pollutants (such as pesticides, heavy metals, antibiotics and other medical drugs) present in water. Subsequently, we have compiled the information on electrochemical techniques (such as voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and their crucial parameters for detecting pollutants. Further, the applications of CNMs for sensing pharmaceutical and food pollutants have been demonstrated in detail. Finally, the topic has been concluded with existing challenges and future prospects.

Biomedical Applications of an Ultra-Sensitive Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Smart MXene Quantum Dots (SMQDs)

In today’s world, the use of biosensors occupies a special place in a variety of fields such as agriculture and industry. New biosensor technologies can identify biological compounds accurately and quickly. One of these technologies is the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the development of biosensors based on their optical properties, which allow for very sensitive and specific measurements of biomolecules without time delay. Therefore, various nanomaterials have been introduced for the development of SPR biosensors to achieve a high degree of selectivity and sensitivity. The diagnosis of deadly diseases such as cancer depends on the use of nanotechnology. Smart MXene quantum dots (SMQDs), a new class of nanomaterials that are developing at a rapid pace, are perfect for the development of SPR biosensors due to their many advantageous properties. Moreover, SMQDs are two-dimensional (2D) inorganic segments with a limited number of atomic layers that exhibit excellent properties such as high conductivity, plasmonic, and optical properties. Therefore, SMQDs, with their unique properties, are promising contenders for biomedicine, including cancer diagnosis/treatment, biological sensing/imaging, antigen detection, etc. In this review, SPR biosensors based on SMQDs applied in biomedical applications are discussed. To achieve this goal, an introduction to SPR, SPR biosensors, and SMQDs (including their structure, surface functional groups, synthesis, and properties) is given first; then, the fabrication of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) based on SMQDs and the biomedical applications of SMQDs are discussed. In the next step, SPR biosensors based on SMQDs and advanced 2D SMQDs-based nanobiosensors as ultrasensitive detection tools are presented. This review proposes the use of SMQDs for the improvement of SPR biosensors with high selectivity and sensitivity for biomedical applications.

Iodine/iodide-doped polymeric nanospheres for simultaneous voltammetric detection of p-aminophenol, phenol, and p-nitrophenol

A sensor was developed for the first time based on polydopamine nanospheres doped with I₂, I^-, and IO₃^- species (PDA-Iodine), to determine the concentration of p-aminophenol (p-AP), phenol (Ph), and p-nitrophenol (p-NP) simultaneously. These polymeric nanospheres were successfully characterized using a variety of techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. A carbon paste electrode was modified with the PDA-Iodine (CPE/PDA-Iodine). Because of the electrocatalytic activity of DA/DQ, I₂ and I^- species (in the structure of PDA-Iodine), CPE/PDA-Iodine shows enhancement in the electrooxidation peak currents as well as slight negative shift in peak potentials of p-AP, Ph, and p-NP compared with a bare carbon paste electrode. Under optimal experimental conditions, the linear calibration plots are linear in the ranges 0.5-120 μM for p-AP, 0.7-120 μM for Ph, and 1.0-100 μM for p-NP with limits of detection of 30, 40, and 80 nM for p-AP, Ph, and p-NP, respectively (S/N = 3). To prove the performance of the method, the repeatability of the signals of CPE/PDA-Iodine was evaluated and the RSD values obtained were 2.9%, 3.2%, and 3.1% for p-AP (45 µM), Ph (40 µM), and p-NP (40 µM), respectively. The CPE/PDA-Iodine is a promising new sensor for sensing p-AP, Ph, and p-NP simultaneously in tap and river water sample and the values of recoveries for spiked samples were in the range 94.0-104.4%.

Plasma-Enabled Smart Nanoexosome Platform as Emerging Immunopathogenesis for Clinical Viral Infection

Smart nanoexosomes are nanosized structures enclosed in lipid bilayers that are structurally similar to the viruses released by a variety of cells, including the cells lining the respiratory system. Of particular importance, the interaction between smart nanoexosomes and viruses can be used to develop antiviral drugs and vaccines. It is possible that nanoexosomes will be utilized and antibodies will be acquired more successfully for the transmission of an immune response if reconvalescent plasma (CP) is used instead of reconvalescent plasma exosomes (CPExo) in this concept. Convalescent plasma contains billions of smart nanoexosomes capable of transporting a variety of molecules, including proteins, lipids, RNA and DNA among other viral infections. Smart nanoexosomes are released from virus-infected cells and play an important role in mediating communication between infected and uninfected cells. Infections use the formation, production and release of smart nanoexosomes to enhance the infection, transmission and intercellular diffusion of viruses. Cell-free smart nanoexosomes produced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could also be used as cell-free therapies in certain cases. Smart nanoexosomes produced by mesenchymal stem cells can also promote mitochondrial function and heal lung injury. They can reduce cytokine storms and restore the suppression of host antiviral defenses weakened by viral infections. This study examines the benefits of smart nanoexosomes and their roles in viral transmission, infection, treatment, drug delivery and clinical applications. We also explore some potential future applications for smart nanoexosomes in the treatment of viral infections.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen via an Electrochemical Platform Fabricated by AuNPs/Streptavidin/Reduced Graphene Oxide

Tumor markers are one of the important indicators for early cancer diagnosis. As a new analytical method, electrochemical immunosensing analysis has the advantages of high sensitivity, good selectivity, and rapid detection, which is of great significance for the detection of tumor markers. In this work, an AuNP/reduced graphene oxide (AuNP/rGO) composite was synthesized. We used it for electrochemical sensor fabrication with the assistance of the biotin–streptavidin protein (SA) system to further amplify the signal to achieve sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In addition, AuNPs have been incorporated due to their good electrical conductivity and biocompatibility, which can accelerate electron transfer at the electrode interface and improve the loading capacity to capture antibodies. The fabricated AuNPs/SA/rGO has a large working surface area and high material utilization ratio, which improves the catalytic capacity of H₂O₂ reduction and effectively amplifies the current signal. The linear range of the response current signal of the sensor toward the CEA concentration is 20 fg/ml to 200 ng/ml, and the limit of detection can achieve 6.2 fg/ml. In addition, the fabricated immunosensor has good reproducibility, selectivity, and stability.

Recent Advances in Plasma-Engineered Polymers for Biomarker-Based Viral Detection and Highly Multiplexed Analysis

Infectious diseases remain a pervasive threat to global and public health, especially in many countries and rural urban areas. The main causes of such severe diseases are the lack of appropriate analytical methods and subsequent treatment strategies due to limited access to centralized and equipped medical centers for detection. Rapid and accurate diagnosis in biomedicine and healthcare is essential for the effective treatment of pathogenic viruses as well as early detection. Plasma-engineered polymers are used worldwide for viral infections in conjunction with molecular detection of biomarkers. Plasma-engineered polymers for biomarker-based viral detection are generally inexpensive and offer great potential. For biomarker-based virus detection, plasma-based polymers appear to be potential biological probes and have been used directly with physiological components to perform highly multiplexed analyses simultaneously. The simultaneous measurement of multiple clinical parameters from the same sample volume is possible using highly multiplexed analysis to detect human viral infections, thereby reducing the time and cost required to collect each data point. This article reviews recent studies on the efficacy of plasma-engineered polymers as a detection method against human pandemic viruses. In this review study, we examine polymer biomarkers, plasma-engineered polymers, highly multiplexed analyses for viral infections, and recent applications of polymer-based biomarkers for virus detection. Finally, we provide an outlook on recent advances in the field of plasma-engineered polymers for biomarker-based virus detection and highly multiplexed analysis.

Sensing beyond Senses: An Overview of Outstanding Strides in Architecting Nanopolymer-Enabled Sensors for Biomedical Applications

Nano-enabled sensing is an expanding interdisciplinary field of emerging science with dynamic multifunctional detecting capabilities, equipped with a wide range of multi-faceted nanomaterial having diverse dimensions and composition. They have proven to be highly robust, sensitive, and useful diagnostic tools ranging from advanced industrial processes to ordinary consumer products. As no single nanomaterial has proved to be unparalleled, recent years has witnessed a large number of nanomaterial-based sensing strategies for rapid detection and quantification of processes and substances with a high degree of reliability. Nano-furnished platforms, because of easy fabrication methods and chemical versatility, can serve as ideal sensing means through different transduction mechanisms. This article, through a unified experimental-theoretical approach, uses literature of recent years to introduce, evaluate, and analyze significant developments in the area of nanotechnology-aided sensors incorporating the various classes of nanomaterial. Addressing the broad interests, the work also summarizes the sensing mechanisms using schematic illustrations, attempts to integrate the performance of different categories of nanomaterials in the design of sensors, knowledge gaps, regulatory aspects, future research directions, and challenges of implementing such techniques in standalone devices. In view of a dependency of analysis and testing on sustained growth of sensor-supported platforms, this article inspires the scientific community for more attention in this field.

Graphene-Based Femtogram-Level Sensitive Molecularly Imprinted Polymer of SARS-CoV-2

Rapid distribution of viral-induced diseases and weaknesses of common diagnostic platforms for accurate and sensitive identification of infected people raises an urgent demand for the design and fabrication of biosensors capable of early detection of viral biomarkers with high specificity. Accordingly, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as artificial antibodies prove to be an ideal preliminary detection platform for specific identification of target templates, with superior sensitivity and detection limit (DL). MIPs detect the target template with the "lock and key" mechanism, the same as natural monoclonal antibodies, and present ideal stability at ambient temperature, which improves their practicality for real applications. Herein, a 2D MIP platform consisting of decorated graphene oxide with the interconnected complex of polypyrrole-boronic acid is developed that can detect the trace of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen in aquatic biological samples with ultrahigh sensitivity/specificity with DL of 0.326 and 11.32 fg mL^-1 using voltammetric and amperometric assays, respectively. Additionally, the developed MIP shows remarkable stability, selectivity, and accuracy toward detecting the target template, which paves the way for developing ultraspecific and prompt screening diagnostic configurations capable of detecting the antigen in 1 min or 20 s using voltammetric or amperometric techniques.

Antibody mounting capability of 1D/2D carbonaceous nanomaterials toward rapid-specific detection of SARS-CoV-2

Carbonaceous immunosensors are ideal nanoplatforms for developing rapid, precise, and ultra-specific diagnostic kits capable of early detection of viral infectious illnesses such as COVID-19. However, developing a proper carbonic immunosensor requires stepwise protocols to find optimum operating conditions to minimize drawbacks. Herein, for the first time and through a stepwise protocol, activation, and monoclonal IgG antibody mounting capability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at two diverse outer diameters (ODs), viz., 20–30 nm and 50–80 nm, and graphene deriv atives (graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)) were examined and compared with each other toward finding the prime carbonaceous nanomaterial(s) for maximized antibody loading efficiency along with an ideal detection limit (DL) and sensitivity. Next, the effect of common amplifying agents, i.e., Au nanostars (Au NSs) and Ag nanowires (Ag NWs), on the total performance of the best carbonaceous structure was carefully assessed, and the responsible detection mechanism is investigated in detail. Next, the developed carbonaceous immunosensors were assessed via voltammetric and impedance assays, and their performances toward specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen through immunoreaction were examined in detail. The study's outcome showed the superior performance of conjugated rGO-based immunosensor with Au NSs toward specific and quick (1 min) detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in biological fluids compared with other 1D/2D carbonaceous nanomaterials.

Synthesis of water-soluble, ultrabright Cu nanoclusters with core-shell structure via facile reduction approach for determination of 4-nitrophenol

In this work, we reported a facile reduction approach for fabrication of water-soluble and ultrabright Cu nanoclusters with core-shell structure. A certain amount of reducing agent as NaBH₄was introduced into the polyethyleneimine-stabilized Cu nanoclusters (CuNCs@PEI) system, which exhibited 4-fold fluorescence enhancement along with a blue shift of the emission peak. The variations of morphology, valence states and functional groups demonstrated that a Cu shell was formed surround CuNCs (defined as CuNCs-Cu@PEI), attributable to metal complex (PEI-Cu⁺and PEI-Cu²⁺) reduction. The effect of core-shell morphology on luminous and electron relaxation mechanism of CuNCs-Cu@PEI was investigated via temperature-dependent steady and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The CuNCs-Cu@PEI with a high fluorescence quantum yields of 22.59% were able to homogeneously disperse in aqueous phase, indicating their potential applications in biological labeling, sensing and invivoimaging. Finally, the CuNCs-Cu@PEI was employed as a fluorescence probe to determine 4-nitrophenol, of which the detection limit was much lower than initial CuNCs@PEI.

Insight into the Influence of Analyte Molecular Structure Targeted on MoS2-GO-Coated Electrochemical Nanosensors

MoS₂-GO composites were fabricated by an ultrasonication method at room temperature. Raman spectra, emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were used to study the structural characteristics, morphologies, and sizes of the synthesized materials. An MoS₂-GO/SPE (screen-printed electrode) was prepared by a facile dropping method and acted as an effective electrochemical sensor toward clenbuterol (CLB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) detection. Based on the obtained results, the influence of analyte molecular structure on the adsorption ability and electronic interoperability between the targeted analyte and electrode surface were investigated in detail and discussed as well, through some electrochemical kinetic parameters (electron/proton-transfer number, electron transfer rate constant (k_s), charge transfer coefficient, and adsorption capacity (Γ)). In particular, it should be stressed that 4-NP molecules possess a simple molecular structure with many positive effects (electronic, conjugation, and small steric effects) and flexible functional groups, resulting in fast electron transport/charge diffusion and effective adsorption process as well as strong interactions with the electrode surface. Therefore, 4-NP molecules have been facilitated better in electrochemical reactions at the electrode surface and electrode-electrolyte interfaces, leading to improved current response and electrochemical sensing performance, compared with those of CLB.

Sensing Methods for Hazardous Phenolic Compounds Based on Graphene and Conducting Polymers-Based Materials

It has been known for years that the phenolic compounds are able to exert harmful effects toward living organisms including humans due to their high toxicity. Living organisms were exposed to these phenolic compounds as they were released into the environment as waste products from several fast-growing industries. In this regard, tremendous efforts have been made by researchers to develop sensing methods for the detection of these phenolic compounds. Graphene and conducting polymers-based materials have arisen as a high potential sensing layer to improve the performance of the developed sensors. Henceforth, this paper reviews the existing investigations on graphene and conducting polymer-based materials incorporated with various sensors that aimed to detect hazardous phenolic compounds, i.e., phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and 2,4-dimethylphenol. The whole picture and up-to-date information on the graphene and conducting polymers-based sensors are arranged in systematic chronological order to provide a clearer insight in this research area. The future perspectives of this study are also included, and the development of sensing methods for hazardous phenolic compounds using graphene and conducting polymers-based materials is expected to grow more in the future.

A facile and green synthesis of CuO/NiO nanoparticles and their removal activity of toxic nitro compounds in aqueous medium

In this present work, we report the green synthesis of mixed bimetal oxides (CuO/NiO) for the efficient reduction of toxic nitrophenols (NP, DNP and TNP) in aqueous medium. The CuO/NiO NPs were synthesized by green hydrothermal method combined calcination process. The physiochemical properties of the synthesized CuO/NiO NPs were systematically characterized by using XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM, and HR-TEM techniques. The calcinated CuO/NiO NPs XRD pattern and SEM morphology show the high crystalline nature than the non-calcinated. Whereas, the XPS and FTIR results confirmed the formation of the metal oxide bonding and the interaction of the bimetals. The HR-TEM images showed the spherical crystals with average particle size about 25 nm. In addition, the SAED pattern confirmed the polycrystalline nature of CuO/NiO NPs. The catalytic reduction of nitro compounds to amino derivative was studied with reducing agent (NaBH₄). The CuO/NiO NPs showed the high catalytic activity and completed the reduction reaction of NP, DNP and TNP with in 2, 5 and 10 min respectively. In addition, CuO/NiO NPS exhibited the excellent kinetic rate constant k value about 1.519, 0.5102, 0.4601 min^-1 for NP, DNP and TNP respectively. Furthermore, the conversion product aminophenol was observed for these three nitro compounds. The proposed CuO/NiO NPs showed excellent crystal stability after the nitrophenol reduction reactions. An inexpensive CuO/NiO NPs is a promising catalysts for reduction of toxic nitro compounds to useful products in aqueous or non-aqueous medium.

A facile synthesis of metal ferrites and their catalytic removal of toxic nitro-organic pollutants

Nitrocompounds are the major prime water contaminants. In this investigative study, toxic nitrocompounds (4-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol) were removed by using magnetic CuFe₂O₄, CoFe₂O₄, and NiFe₂O₄ material systems. The metal ferrites were synthesized through hydrothermal method and also followed with calcination process. The properties of metal ferrites were confirmed through using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) studies and results there on were presented. For the first time, the synthesized CuFe₂O₄, CoFe₂O₄, and NiFe₂O₄ material systems were used for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in aqueous medium. The UV-visible spectrometry was employed to monitor the removal of nitro compounds and formation of aminophenol. Among, the three catalysts, the CuFe₂O₄ displayed excellent removal activity for nitrocompounds. The CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles completely removed the NP, DNP and TNP within 2, 5, 10 min, respectively. The NP reduction reaction follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. Further, the investigated and proposed CuFe₂O_4, catalyst has given and demonstrated excellent kinetic rate constants 0.990, 0.317, 0.184 min^-1 for 4-NP, DNP and TNP respectively, which was very fast kinetic than the already published reports. Also, the aminophenol formation was confirmed for the above mentioned and select nitrocompounds. The obtained results confirm suggest that CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles based material system could be one of the promising catalysts for nitro compounds removal process.