Facile preparation of nanocubes zinc-based metal-organic framework by an ultrasound-assisted synthesis method; precursor for the fabrication of zinc oxide octahedral nanostructures

Biocompatible hydrophobic cross-linked cyclodextrin-based metal-organic framework as quercetin nanocarrier for enhancing stability and controlled release

Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic framework (CD-MOF) has been widely used in various delivery systems due to its excellent edibility and high drug loading capacity. However, its typically bulky size and high brittleness in aqueous solutions pose significant challenges for practical applications. Here, we proposed an ultrasonic-assisted method for rapid synthesis of uniformly-sized nanoscale CD-MOF, followed by its hydrophobic modification through ester bond cross-linking (Nano-CMOF). Proper ultrasound treatment effectively reduced particle size to nanoscale (393.14 nm). Notably, carbonate ester cross-linking method significantly improved water stability without altering its cubic shape and high porosity (1.3 cm3/g), resulting in a retention rate exceeding 90% in various media. Furthermore, the loading of quercetin did not disrupt cubic structure and showcased remarkable storage stability. Nano-CMOF achieved controlled release of quercetin in both aqueous environments and digestion. Additionally, Nano-CMOF demonstrated exceptional antioxidant (free radical scavenging 82.27%) and biocompatibility, indicating its significant potential as novel nutritional delivery systems in food and biomedical fields.

Investigating composite electrode materials of metal oxides for advanced energy storage applications

Electrochemical energy systems mark a pivotal advancement in the energy sector, delivering substantial improvements over conventional systems. Yet, a major challenge remains the deficiency in storage technology to effectively retain the energy produced. Amongst these are batteries and supercapacitors, renowned for their versatility and efficiency, which depend heavily on the quality of their electrode materials. Metal oxide composites, in particular, have emerged as highly promising due to the synergistic effects that significantly enhance their functionality and efficiency beyond individual components. This review explores the application of metal oxide composites in the electrodes of batteries and SCs, focusing on various material perspectives and synthesis methodologies, including exfoliation and hydrothermal/solvothermal processes. It also examines how these methods influence device performance. Furthermore, the review confronts the challenges and charts future directions for metal oxide composite-based energy storage systems, critically evaluating aspects such as scalability of synthesis, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and integration with advanced nanomaterials and electrolytes. These factors are crucial for advancing next-generation energy storage technologies, striving to enhance performance while upholding sustainability and economic viability.

Recent advances in metal-organic frameworks: Synthesis, application and toxicity

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of crystalline porous hybrid materials with high porosity, large specific surface area and adjustable channel structure and biocompatibility, which are being investigated with increasing interest for energy storage and conversion, gas adsorption/separation, catalysis, sensing and biomedicine. However, the practical applications of MOFs make them release into the environment inevitable, posing a threat to humans and organisms. In this article, we cover advances in the currently available MOFs synthesis methods and the emerging applications of MOFs, especially in the biomedical field (therapeutic agents and bioimaging). Additionally, after evaluating the current status of main exposure routes and affecting factors in the field of MOFs-toxicity, the molecular mechanism is also clarified and identified. Knowledge gaps are identified from such a summarization and frontier development are explored for MOFs. Afterwards, we also present the limitations, challenges, and future perspectives in the study of the entire life cycle of MOFs. This review emphasizes the need for a more targeted discussion of the latest, widely used and effective versatile material class in order to exploit the full potential of high-performance and non-toxicity MOFs in the future.

Zinc-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks in Drug Delivery, Cell Imaging, and Sensing

The design and structural frameworks for targeted drug delivery of medicinal compounds and improved cell imaging have been developed with several advantages. However, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are supplemented tremendously for medical uses with efficient efficacy. These MOFs are considered as an absolutely new class of porous materials, extensively used in drug delivery systems, cell imaging, and detecting the analytes, especially for cancer biomarkers, due to their excellent biocompatibility, easy functionalization, high storage capacity, and excellent biodegradability. While Zn-metal centers in MOFs have been found by enhanced efficient detection and improved drug delivery, these Zn-based MOFs have appeared to be safe as elucidated by different cytotoxicity assays for targeted drug delivery. On the other hand, the MOF-based heterogeneous catalyst is durable and can regenerate multiple times without losing activity. Therefore, as functional carriers for drug delivery, cell imaging, and chemosensory, MOFs' chemical composition and flexible porous structure allowed engineering to improve their medical formulation and functionality. This review summarizes the methodology for fabricating ultrasensitive and selective Zn-MOF-based sensors, as well as their application in early cancer diagnosis and therapy. This review also offers a systematic approach to understanding the development of MOFs as efficient drug carriers and provides new insights on their applications and limitations in utility with possible solutions.

A power-triggered preparation strategy of nano-structured inorganics: sonosynthesis

Ultrasound irradiation covers many chemical reactions crucially aiming to design and synthesize various structured materials as an enduring trend in frontier research studies. Here, we focus on the latest progress of ultrasound-assisted synthesis and present the basic principles or mechanisms of sonosynthesis (or sonochemical synthesis) from ultrasound irradiation in a brand new way, including primary sonosynthesis, secondary sonosynthesis, and synergetic sonosynthesis. This current review describes in detail the various sonochemical synthesis strategies for nano-structured inorganic materials and the unique aspects of products including the size, morphology, structure, and properties. In addition, the review points out the probable challenges and technological potential for future advancement. We hope that such a review can provide a comprehensive understanding of sonosynthesis and emphasize the great significance of structured materials synthesis as a power-induced strategy broadening the updated applications of ultrasound.

Sonochemical fabrication of inorganic nanoparticles for applications in catalysis

Catalysis covers almost all the chemical reactions or processes aiming for many applications. Sonochemistry has emerged in designing and developing the synthesis of nano-structured materials, and the latest progress mainly focuses on the synthetic strategies, product properties as well as catalytic applications. This current review simply presents the sonochemical effects under ultrasound irradiation, roughly describes the ultrasound-synthesized inorganic nano-materials, and highlights the sonochemistry applications in the inorganics-based catalysis processes including reduction, oxidation, degradation, polymerization, etc. Or all in all, the review hopes to provide an integrated understanding of sonochemistry, emphasize the great significance of ultrasound-assisted synthesis in structured materials as a unique strategy, and broaden the updated applications of ultrasound irradiation in the catalysis fields.

Ultrasound irradiation effect on morphological and adsorptive properties of a nanoscale 3D Zn-coordination polymer and derived oxide

In this work, Zn-based coordination polymer [Zn₂(1,3-bdc)bzim₂]_n was successfully synthesized by the sonochemical method using a 13 mm probe-type ultrasound operating at 20 kHz and amplitudes of 30, 40 and 50% corresponding to an acoustic power of 5.5, 8.6, and 10.3 W, respectively. Additionally, a sample was prepared by the slow-diffusion method for comparison. The samples were characterized by FTIR, PXRD, SEM, and BET techniques. The influence of the time and sonication amplitude on the yield of the reaction, crystallite size, and morphology were also studied. It was found that the sonochemical method provided the desired product in 83.9% within 20 min of sonication using the highest level of sonication amplitude. Moreover, this approach resulted in regular, controlled morphology, smaller particles, and higher surface area of the Zn-sample and derived oxide, than the slow diffusion method. The samples prepared by different methodologies were tested for the adsorption of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) components in six different systems, and the uptakes were quantified by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Both samples showed excellent adsorption of benzene, 119.8 mmol/g, and 88.1 mmol/g, for the coordination polymers prepared via the sonochemical and slow-diffusion methods, respectively, corresponding to 63.9%, and 46.9%. These results are in agreement with the non-polar surface of these samples.

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and ultrasound: A review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received a lot of attention due to their unique properties and abundant functionalities. Permanent porosity and high surface area are just a few traits that have made them attractive to researchers. They can be prepared as task-specific materials by exploiting the functional group variety and tuning their size and geometry. The main purpose of this review is to present an alternative method of preparing MOF crystals and underline the advantages of ultrasound assisted (sonochemical) synthesis. State of the art ultrasound assisted techniques for the preparation of MOFs in nanoscale are presented. Optimization of morphology and particle size is highlighted throughout this work, as we discuss the effects of various factors, such as energy input, reagent concentration, adequate solvents, reaction time and more.

Sonochemical synthesis of amide-functionalized metal-organic framework/graphene oxide nanocomposite for the adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution

Graphene oxide-[Zn₂(oba)₂(bpfb)]·(DMF)₅ metal-organic framework nanocomposite (GO-TMU-23; H₂oba=4,4'-oxybisbenzoic acid, bpfb=N,N'-bis-(4-pyridylformamide)-1,4-benzenediamine, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide) is prepared through a simple and large-scale sonochemical preparation method at room temperature. The obtained nanocomposite is characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Additionally, the absorption ability of GO-TMU-23 nanocomposite toward cationic dye methylene blue was also performed. Significantly, GO-TMU-23 nanocomposite exhibits remarkably accelerated adsorption kinetics for methylene blue in comparison with the parent materials. The adsorption process shows that 90% of the dye has been removed and the equilibrium status has been reached in 2min by using the nanocomposites as the adsorbent.