The polyol process: a unique method for easy access to metal nanoparticles with tailored sizes, shapes and compositions

Colloidal synthesis of two-dimensional nanocrystals by the polyol route

The field of 2D nanomaterials is ever-growing with a myriad of synthetic advancements that have been used to obtain such materials. There are top-down, as well as bottom-up, fabrication methods for obtaining 2D nanomaterials; however, synthesis of 2D nanomaterials from solution offers a simple scalable way to control size, shape, and surface. This review outlines the recent advances in colloidal polyol synthesis of 2D nanomaterials and provides perspectives on the similarities and differences in various syntheses. Various materials classes are presented and discussed, including metals, oxides, chalcogenides, and halides, that can be synthesized as 2D nanomaterials via a polyol process. Throughout the literature, polyol media is demonstrated to be versatile not only as a solvent and reducing agent for metal precursors but also as a binding and shape-directing agent for many 2D nanomaterials. Polyols also offer the ability to dissolve various surfactants and additives that can further control the morphology and composition of various nanomaterials. In this review, we outline the various 2D materials that have been realized via the solution polyol route.

RhRu Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Catalysts for Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Arenes and Carboxylic Acids

Noble-metal-based bimetallic oxide clusters are promising novel catalysts. In this study, we developed carbon-supported RhRu bimetallic oxide clusters (RhRuOx/C) with a mean diameter of 1.2 nm, which showed remarkable catalytic activity for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of arenes and carboxylic acids with O2 as the sole oxidant. RhRu bimetallic oxide cluster formation was confirmed by aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Kinetic isotope and substituent effects indicated that arene C-H bond cleavage was the rate-determining step and proceeded via electrophilic concerted metalation-deprotonation mechanism, with a carboxylate as an internal base. Density functional theory calculations supported the proposed mechanism and indicated that the active center for C-H bond activation was Rh(V) rather than Rh(III), while Ru enhanced the electrophilicity of the Rh(V) site by decreasing the negative charge of the surrounding oxygen atoms. Electron-rich arenes showed relatively high reactivity for the RhRuOx/C-catalyzed CDC reaction, and both aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids were applicable to the reaction. The RhRuOx/C catalyst is promising for the CDC reaction of arenes and carboxylic acids to produce aryl esters. This work promotes the development of noble-metal-based bimetallic oxide clusters for C-H bond activation reactions.

Shape-controlled synthesis of micro-/nanosized Cu particles with spherical and polyhedral shapes using the polyol process

This study reports the synthesis of Cu micro-/nanosized particles through the polyol process. Cu particles were synthesized by reducing copper(ii) chloride in ethylene glycol (EG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and potassium bromide (KBr) at low temperatures with or without the use of sodium borohydride (NaBH4).

Into the Void: Single Nanopore in Colloidally Synthesized Bi2Te3 Nanoplates with Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity

Bi2Te3 is a well-known thermoelectric material that was first investigated in the 1960s, optimized over decades, and is now one of the highest performing room-temperature thermoelectric materials to-date. Herein, we report on the colloidal synthesis, growth mechanism, and thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 nanoplates with a single nanopore in the center. Analysis of the reaction products during the colloidal synthesis reveals that the reaction progresses via a two-step nucleation and epitaxial growth: first of elemental Te nanorods and then the binary Bi2Te3 nanoplate growth. The rates of epitaxial growth can be controlled during the reaction, thus allowing the formation of a single nanopore in the center of the Bi2Te3 nanoplates. The size of the nanopore can be controlled by changing the pH of the reaction solution, where larger pores with diameter of ∼50 nm are formed at higher pH and smaller pores with diameter of ∼16 nm are formed at lower pH. We propose that the formation of the single nanopore is mediated by the Kirkendall effect and thus the reaction conditions allow for the selective control over pore size. Nanoplates have well-defined hexagonal facets as seen in the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. The single nanopores have a thin amorphous layer at the edge, revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Thermoelectric properties of the pristine and single-nanopore Bi2Te3 nanoplates were measured in the parallel and perpendicular directions. These properties reveal strong anisotropy with a significant reduction to thermal conductivity and increased electrical resistivity in the perpendicular direction due to the higher number of nanoplate and nanopore interfaces. Furthermore, Bi2Te3 nanoplates with a single nanopore exhibit ultralow lattice thermal conductivity values, reaching ∼0.21 Wm-1K-1 in the perpendicular direction. The lattice thermal conductivity was found to be systematically lowered with pore size, allowing for the realization of a thermoelectric figure of merit, zT of 0.75 at 425 K for the largest pore size.

Reversible phase transformations between Pb nanocrystals and a viscous liquid-like phase

Phase transformations have been a prominent topic of study for both fundamental and applied science. Solid-liquid reaction-induced phase transformations can be hard to characterize, and the transformation mechanisms are often not fully understood. Here, we report reversible phase transformations between a metal (Pb) nanocrystal and a viscous liquid-like phase unveiled by in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy. The reversible phase transformations are obtained by modulating the electron current density (between 1000 and 3000 electrons Å-2 s-1). The metal-organic viscous liquid-like phase exhibits short-range ordering with a preferred Pb-Pb distance of 0.5 nm. Assisted by density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations, we show that the viscous liquid-like phase results from the reactions of Pb with the CH3O fragments from the triethylene glycol solution under electron beam irradiation. Such reversible phase transformations may find broad implementations.

Role of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the polyol synthesis of platinum nanoparticles

In this work, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via the reduction of Pt salts in an ethylene glycol induced polyol process with an altered polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/Pt molar ratio. With the systematic elucidation of the hydrodynamic size in a liquid; the solid-state size and morphology, crystal structure, surface chemical state and thermal decomposition behavior of the synthesized Pt NPs; as well as the reducing dynamic of Pt cations, the role of PVP in the polyol synthesis of Pt NPs is clarified for the first time. It was found that the amount of PVP does not affect the reducing dynamic of Pt cations, but the chemical state of PVP capped on Pt NPs and the resultant particle size significantly depend on the initial PVP/Pt molar ratio in the precursor solution. Dense-packed PVP via the chemisorption of carbonyl oxygen on the surface of Pt NPs occurs in the case of a higher PVP/Pt ratio, suppressing particle growth and resulting in smaller Pt NPs. On the contrary, the chemical structure of PVP is tuned by the cleavage of the N-C bond and results in the chemisorption of the N atom on the surface of Pt NPs, which promotes the production of larger Pt NPs when a lower PVP/Pt ratio is applied.

Advancements in polyol synthesis: expanding chemical horizons and Néel temperature tuning of CoO nanoparticles

The polyol synthesis of CoO nanoparticles (NPs) is typically conducted by dissolving and heating cobalt acetate tetrahydrate and water in diethylene glycol (DEG). This process yields aggregates of approximately 100 nm made of partially aligned primary crystals. However, the synthesis demands careful temperature control to allow the nucleation of CoO while simultaneously preventing reduction, caused by the activity of DEG. This restriction hinders the flexibility to freely adjust synthesis conditions, impeding the ability to obtain particles with varied morpho-structural properties, which, in turn, directly impact chemical and physical attributes. In this context, the growth of CoO NPs in polyol was studied focusing on the effect of the polyol chain length and the synthesis temperature at two different water/cations ratios. During this investigation, we found that longer polyol chains remove the previous limits of the method, allowing the tuning of aggregate size (20-150 nm), shape (spherical-octahedral), and crystalline length (8-35 nm). Regarding the characterization, our focus revolved around investigating the magnetic properties inherent in the synthesized products. From this point of view, two pivotal findings emerged. Firstly, we identified small quantities of a layered hydroxide ferromagnetic intermediate, which acted as interference in our measurements. This intermediate exhibited magnetic properties consistent with features observed in other publications on CoO produced in systems compatible with the intermediate formation. Optimal synthetic conditions that prevent the impurity from forming were found. This resolution clarifies several ambiguities existing in literature about CoO low-temperature magnetic behavior. Secondly, a regular relationship of the NPs' TN with their crystallite size was found, allowing us to regulate TN over ~ 80 K. For the first time, a branching was found in this structure-dependent magnetic feature, with samples of spheroidal morphology consistently having lower magnetic temperatures, when compared to samples with faceted/octahedral shape, providing compelling evidence for a novel physical parameter influencing the TN of a material. These two findings contribute to the understanding of the fundamental properties of CoO and antiferromagnetic materials.

DNA-modified Prussian blue nanozymes for enhanced electrochemical biosensing

Prussian blue nanoparticles exhibit the potential to be employed in bioanalytical applications due to their robust stability, peroxidase-like catalytic functionality, straightforward synthesis, and biocompatibility. An efficient approach is presented for the synthesis of nucleic acid-modified Prussian blue nanoparticles (DNA-PBNPs), utilizing nanoparticle porosity to adsorb nucleic acids (polyT). This strategic adsorption leads to the exposure of nucleic acid sequences on the particle surface while retaining catalytic activity. DNA-PBNPs further couple with functional nucleic acid sequences and aptamers through complementary base pairing to act as transducers in biosensors and amplify signal acquisition. Subsequently, we integrated a copper ion-dependent DNAzyme (Cu2+-DNAzyme) and a vascular endothelial growth factor aptamer (VEGF aptamer) onto screen-printed electrodes to serve as recognition elements for analytes. Significantly, our approach leverages DNA-PBNPs as a superior alternative to traditional enzyme-linked antibodies in electrochemical biosensors, thereby enhancing both the efficiency and adaptability of these devices. Our study conclusively demonstrates the application of DNA-PBNPs in two different biosensing paradigms: the sensitive detection of copper ions and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These results indicate the promising potential of DNA-modified Prussian blue nanoparticles in advancing bioanalytical sensing technologies.

Agriculture and environmental management through nanotechnology: Eco-friendly nanomaterial synthesis for soil-plant systems, food safety, and sustainability

Through the advancement of nanotechnology, agricultural and food systems are undergoing strategic enhancements, offering innovative solutions to complex problems. This scholarly essay thoroughly examines nanotechnological innovations and their implications within these critical industries. Traditional practices are undergoing radical transformation as nanomaterials emerge as novel agents in roles traditionally filled by fertilizers, pesticides, and biosensors. Micronutrient management and preservation techniques are further enhanced, indicating a shift towards more nutrient-dense and longevity-oriented food production. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their unique physicochemical properties, such as an extraordinary surface-to-volume ratio, find applications in healthcare, diagnostics, agriculture, and other fields. However, concerns about their potential overuse and bioaccumulation raise unanswered questions about their health effects. Molecule-to-molecule interactions and physicochemical dynamics create pathways through which nanoparticles cause toxicity. The combination of nanotechnology and environmental sustainability principles leads to the examination of green nanoparticle synthesis. The discourse extends to how nanomaterials penetrate biological systems, their applications, toxicological effects, and dissemination routes. Additionally, this examination delves into the ecological consequences of nanomaterial contamination in natural ecosystems. Employing robust risk assessment methodologies, including the risk allocation framework, is recommended to address potential dangers associated with nanotechnology integration. Establishing standardized, universally accepted guidelines for evaluating nanomaterial toxicity and protocols for nano-waste disposal is urged to ensure responsible stewardship of this transformative technology. In conclusion, the article summarizes global trends, persistent challenges, and emerging regulatory strategies shaping nanotechnology in agriculture and food science. Sustained, in-depth research is crucial to fully benefit from nanotechnology prospects for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Unlocking the potential of Opuntia species mucilage in chemistry

Herein, we describe a detailed protocol to extract the mucilage from different species of the genus Opuntia spp. (i.e., Opuntia Ficus (OFi), Opuntia Dillenii (ODi) and Opuntia Robusta (ORo)). The extracted mucilage was characterized by NMR, FTIR-ATR, HPLC, and TGA. OFi was found to have the highest phenolic content, 7.84 ± 1.93 mg catechol/g mucilage. The mucilage from the three species were characterized by having a high content of monosaccharides, being mannose and glucose the most abundant components (ca. 48-73 % and 23-35 %, respectively). In the context of biomass revalorization, the mucilage was proven to serve as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNP/mucilage). The synthesis was optimized with a mucilage concentration of 2 mg/mL using 12.5 μL of KAuCl4 and was carried out at 80 °C for 90 min. This protocol afforded spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 9.7 ± 4.0 nm that were stable for at least 14 days, as demonstrated by TEM. Synthesized AuNP/mucilage was evaluated as a plasmonic catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as model reaction, showing a considerable enhancement in its kapp of 97 % under white light and a decrease of 24.8 % in its activation energy.

One Precursor, Two Different Outcomes: SnO-Graphite Composite and Anion-Doped SnO2 with Ester Surface Functionality

The technological importance of SnO2 and SnO has invited scientists to explore various aspects, including their synthesis in the nanosize regime, surface functionalization, and composite formation. In the present work, a binuclear Sn2-EDTA complex has been demonstrated to produce a SnO-graphite composite and C, N-codoped SnO2 nanocrystals with ester functionality in quantitative yields by thermal and solvothermal dissociation processes. The products were characterized extensively. While SnO in the SnO-graphite composite exhibited tetragonal symmetry, graphitic carbon had defects. The composite had 12 wt % of graphitic carbon. The role of the SnO-graphite composite as an anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) has been evaluated. Solvothermal dissociation of the Sn2-EDTA complex in a propylene glycol medium yielded nanocrystalline SnO2 with yellow color. Agglomerated crystallites had ester functionality on their surfaces. The surface functionality was thermally stable up to 200 °C, and its complete removal yielded tetragonal white-colored SnO2. Co-doping of carbon and nitrogen in yellow SnO2 reduced its optical band gap (2.9 eV). Despite the negative surface charge of the functionalized SnO2, its affinity to rapidly adsorb anionic azo dyes (Congo red and Eriochrome black T) from aqueous solutions has been validated. Following pseudo-second-order kinetics, adsorption data analysis revealed chemisorption as the primary driving force in this process.

Mechanochemical hydroquinone regeneration promotes gold salt reduction in sub-stoichiometric conditions of the reducing agent

Bottom-up mechanochemical synthesis (BUMS) has been demonstrated to be an efficient approach for the preparation of metal nanoparticles (NPs), protected by surface agents or anchored on solid supports. However, there are limitations, such as precise size and morphological control, due to a lack of knowledge about the mechanically induced processes of NP formation under milling. In this article, we further investigate the BUMS of AuNPs. Using SiO2 as a solid support, we studied the effect of typical reducing agents, namely NaBH4, L-ascorbic acid, and hydroquinone (HQ), on the conversion of a AuIII source. XANES showed that HQ is the strongest reducing agent under our experimental conditions, leading to the quantitative conversion of gold salt in a few minutes. Interestingly, even when HQ was used in sub-stoichiometric amounts, AuIII could be reduced to ratios higher than 85% after two minutes of milling. Investigations into the byproducts by 1H NMR and GC-FID/MS enabled the identification HQ regeneration and the formation of its derivatives. We mainly focused on benzoquinone (BQ), which is the product of the oxidation of HQ as it reduces the gold salt. We could demonstrate that HQ is regenerated from BQ exclusively under milling and acidic conditions. The regenerated HQ and other HQ-chlorinated molecules could then reduce gold-oxidized species, leading to higher conversions and economy of reactants. Our study highlights the intriguing and complex mechanisms of mechanochemical systems, in addition to fostering the atom and energy economy side of mechanochemical means to produce metal nanoparticles.

Anisotropy in magnetic materials for sensors and actuators in soft robotic systems

The field of soft intelligent robots has rapidly developed, revealing extensive potential of these robots for real-world applications. By mimicking the dexterities of organisms, robots can handle delicate objects, access remote areas, and provide valuable feedback on their interactions with different environments. For autonomous manipulation of soft robots, which exhibit nonlinear behaviors and infinite degrees of freedom in transformation, innovative control systems integrating flexible and highly compliant sensors should be developed. Accordingly, sensor-actuator feedback systems are a key strategy for precisely controlling robotic motions. The introduction of material magnetism into soft robotics offers significant advantages in the remote manipulation of robotic operations, including touch or touchless detection of dynamically changing shapes and positions resulting from the actuations of robots. Notably, the anisotropies in the magnetic nanomaterials facilitate the perception and response with highly selective, directional, and efficient ways used for both sensors and actuators. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the origins of magnetic anisotropy from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors and summarizes diverse magnetic materials with enhanced anisotropy. Recent developments in the design of flexible sensors and soft actuators based on the principle of magnetic anisotropy are outlined, specifically focusing on their applicabilities in soft robotic systems. Finally, this review addresses current challenges in the integration of sensors and actuators into soft robots and offers promising solutions that will enable the advancement of intelligent soft robots capable of efficiently executing complex tasks relevant to our daily lives.

Synthesis and Reduction Processes of Silver Nanowires in a Silver(I) Sulfamate-Poly (Vinylpyrrolidone) Hydrothermal System

Silver (Ag) nanowires, as an important one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterial, have garnered wide attention, owing to their applications in electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, and other fields. In this study, an alternative hydrothermal route was developed to synthesize Ag nanowires via modified reduction of Ag+. Silver sulfamate plays an important role in the formation of Ag nanowires via controlled release of free Ag+. Results of controlled experiments and characterizations such as UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS, and 1H NMR revealed that sulfamic acid does not function as a reductant, supporting by the generation of free Ag+ instead of Ag nanostructures in hydrothermally treated silver sulfamate solution. The initial reduction of Ag+ was induced by the combination of poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) end group and degradation products. This phenomenon was supported by abundant free Ag+ in the mixed preheated silver sulfamatic and preheated PVP aqueous solutions, indicating a second and distinct Ag+ autocatalytic reduction. Thus, the roles of different reagents and Ag+ reduction must be studied for nanomaterial syntheses.

Extremely Monodispersed Micrometer-Scale Spherical Particle Synthesis of Ag Inside a Microdroplet Vaporizing in Plasma

Spherical Ag particles have received considerable attention because of their unique properties as well as their applications in various fields. In the present study, the synthesis of micrometer-scale spherical Ag particles with an extremely narrow size distribution is demonstrated using a simple capacitively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma reactor with an inkjet head. Droplets of a Ag nitrate aqueous solution are ejected from the inkjet head to synthesize Ag particles. The gaseous temperature in the reactor is adjusted such that Ag can be melted with a negligibly small vapor pressure. These particles exhibit a spherical shape with a smooth surface. The mean diameter of the particles is 0.91 ± 0.013 μm with a small coefficient of variation of 1.5%, the smallest value ever reported for Ag particles of less than 1 μm. The grain sizes of the particles are larger than 100 nm, as expected from the broadening of the X-ray diffraction peaks. The excellent monodispersity of the particles synthesized by this method may expand the applications with micrometer-scale spheres such as ball spacer, microsized ball bearing, and inks for printed electronics.

Tuning the dimensional order in self-assembled magnetic nanostructures: theory, simulations, and experiments

A major obstacle to building nanoscale magnetic devices or even experimentally studying novel nanomagnetic spin textures is the present lack of a simple and robust method to fabricate various nano-structured alloys. Here, theoretical and experimental investigations were conducted to understand the underlying physical mechanisms of magnetic particle self-assembly in zero applied magnetic field. By changing the amount of NaOH added during the synthesis, we demonstrate that the resulting morphology of the assembled FeCo structure can be tuned from zero-dimensional (0D) nanoparticles to one-dimensional (1D) chains, and even three-dimensional (3D) networks. Two numerical simulations were developed to predict aspects of nanostructure formation by accounting for the magnetic interactions between individual magnetic nanoparticles. The first utilized the Boltzmann distribution to determine the equilibrium structure of a nanochain, iteratively predicting the local deviation angle θ of each particle as it attaches to a forming chain. The second simulation illustrates the differences in nanostructure arrangement and dimensionality (0D, 1D, or 3D) that arise from random interactions at various nanoparticle densities. The simulation results closely match the experimental findings, as seen from SEM images, demonstrating their ability to capture the system's structural properties. In addition, magnetic hysteresis measurements of the samples were performed along two orthogonal directions to show the influence of dimensional order on the magnetic behavior. The normalized remanence (MR/MS||) of the FeCo alloys increases as the dimensions of nanostructures are increased. Of the three cases, the FeCo 3D network structures exhibit the highest normalized nanostructure remanence of 0.33 and an increased coercivity to above 200 Oe at 300 K. This combined numerical and experimental investigation aims to shed light on the preparation of FeCo nanostructures with tailorable dimensional order and it opens new avenues for exploring the complex spin textures and coercive behavior of these multi-dimensional nanomagnetic structures.

Decoupled supercapacitive electrolyzer for membrane-free water splitting

Green hydrogen production via water splitting is vital for decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. Its integration with renewable energy sources remains to be a challenge, due to the susceptibility to hazardous gas mixture during electrolysis. Here, we report a hybrid membrane-free cell based on earth-abundant materials for decoupled hydrogen production in either acidic or alkaline medium. The design combines the electrocatalytic reactions of an electrolyzer with a capacitive storage mechanism, leading to spatial/temporal separation of hydrogen and oxygen gases. An energy efficiency of 69% lower heating value (48 kWh/kg) at 10 mA/cm2 (5 cm-by-5 cm cell) was achieved using cobalt-iron phosphide bifunctional catalyst with 99% faradaic efficiency at 100 mA/cm2. Stable operation over 20 hours in alkaline medium shows no apparent electrode degradation. Moreover, the cell voltage breakdown reveals that substantial improvements can be achieved by tunning the activity of the bifunctional catalyst and improving the electrodes conductivity. The cell design offers increased flexibility and robustness for hydrogen production.

Investigating the synthesis parameters of durian skin-based activated carbon and the effects of silver nanocatalysts on its recyclability in methylene blue removal

Activated carbon (AC) is the most common and economically viable adsorbent for eliminating toxic organic pollutants, particularly dyes, from wastewater. Its widespread adoption is due to the simplicity and affordable production of AC, wherein low-cost agricultural wastes, such as durian skin can be used. Converting durian skin into AC presents a promising solution for its solid waste management. However, inherent drawbacks such as its non-selectivity, relatively short lifespan and laborious replacement and recovery processes diminish the overall efficacy of AC as an adsorbent. To address these challenges, the immobilisation of metal nanocatalysts such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is one of the emerging solutions. AgNPs can facilitate the regeneration of the adsorption sites of AC by catalysing the conversion of the adsorbed dyes into harmless and simpler molecules. Nevertheless, the immobilisation of AgNPs on AC surface can be challenging as the pore size formation of AC is hard to control and the nanomaterials can easily leach out from the AC surface. Hence, in this study, we synthesised AC from durian skin (DS) and immobilised AgNPs on the AC-DS surface. Then, we used methylene blue (MB) removal for studying the adsorption capability and recyclability of the AC-DS. In the synthesis of AC-DS, the influences of reaction temperature, activating agent, and acid-washing to its capability in adsorptive removal of  MB in solution were first determined. It was found that 400 °C, KOH activating agent, and the presence of acid-washing (50% of HNO3) resulted in AC-DS with the highest percentage of MB removal (91.49 ± 2.86%). Then, the overall results from three recyclability experiments demonstrate that AC-DS with immobilised AgNPs exhibited higher MB removal after several cycles (up to 6 cycles) as compared to AC-DS alone, proving the benefit of AgNPs for the recyclability of AC-DS. We also found that AgNPs/Citrate@AC-DS exhibited better adsorption capability and recyclability as compared to AgNPs/PVP@AC-DS indicating significant influences of type of stabilisers in this study. This study also demonstrates that the presence of more oxygen-containing functional groups (i.e., carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups) after acid-washing on AC-DS and in citrate molecules, has greater influence to the performance of AC-DS and AgNPs/Citrate@AC-DS in the removal of MB as compared to the influences of their BET surface area and pore structure. The findings in this study have the potential to promote and serve as a guideline for harnessing the advantages of nanomaterials, such as AgNPs, to enhance the properties of AC for environmental applications.

Package delivered: folate receptor-mediated transporters in cancer therapy and diagnosis

Neoplasias pose a significant threat to aging society, underscoring the urgent need to overcome the limitations of traditional chemotherapy through pioneering strategies. Targeted drug delivery is an evolving frontier in cancer therapy, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy while mitigating undesirable side effects. One promising avenue utilizes cell membrane receptors like the folate receptor to guide drug transporters precisely to malignant cells. Based on the cellular folate receptor as a cancer cell hallmark, targeted nanocarriers and small molecule-drug conjugates have been developed that comprise different (bio) chemistries and/or mechanical properties with individual advantages and challenges. Such modern folic acid-conjugated stimuli-responsive drug transporters provide systemic drug delivery and controlled release, enabling reduced dosages, circumvention of drug resistance, and diminished adverse effects. Since the drug transporters' structure-based de novo design is increasingly relevant for precision cancer remediation and diagnosis, this review seeks to collect and debate the recent approaches to deliver therapeutics or diagnostics based on folic acid conjugated Trojan Horses and to facilitate the understanding of the relevant chemistry and biochemical pathways. Focusing exemplarily on brain and breast cancer, recent advances spanning 2017 to 2023 in conjugated nanocarriers and small molecule drug conjugates were considered, evaluating the chemical and biological aspects in order to improve accessibility to the field and to bridge chemical and biomedical points of view ultimately guiding future research in FR-targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Interface engineering of heterostructured vanadium oxides for enhanced energy storage in Zinc-Ion batteries

Rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (RAZIBs) with the merits of cost effectiveness and high safety have been rejuvenated as tantalizing energy storage systems to meet the demand for grid-scale applications. Currently, the energy storage capability of the positive electrode (cathode) holds the key for the overall performance of RAZIBs. In this work, we reveal VO2, V10O24·12H2O (HVO), and VO2/HVO can be prepared via hydrothermal reaction by using different reducing agents. VO2 exhibits high capacity of 237 mAh/g at 4 A/g, while it suffers from quick capacity decay with 48 % retention after 2000 charge/discharge cycles. On the contrary, HVO demonstrates moderate capacity but meritorious cycle stability (i.e., 173 mAh/g at 4 A/g and 82 % after 2000 cycles). By integrating the merits of high-capacity VO2 and high-stability HVO, the biphasic VO2/HVO sample exhibits promising electrochemical performance with high capacity (317 and 239 mAh/g at 1 and 4 A/g, respectively) and good cycle stability (80 % after 2000 cycles). As examined by band structure analysis, the superior electrochemical performance of VO2/HVO is attributed to the presence of a heterojunction between VO2 and HVO enabling a built-in electric field to boost electron transport kinetics, leading to high attainable capacity and reliable cycle performance in RAZIBs.

Enhancing the Properties of Photo-Generated Metallized Nanocomposite Coatings through Thermal Annealing

In this work, the effect of thermal annealing on silver nanoparticles@polymer (AgNPs@polymer) nanocomposite coatings was investigated. These photo-generated metallized coatings have a spatial distribution of metal nanoparticles, with a depth-wise decrease in their concentration. During annealing, both structural and morphological variations, as well as a spatial reorganization of AgNPs, were observed, both at the surface and in the core of the AgNPs@polymer coating. Owing to their increased mobility, the polymer chains reorganize spontaneously, and, at the same time, a hopping diffusion process, caused by the minimization of the surface energy, promotes the migration and coalescence of the silver nanoparticles towards the surface. The layer of discrete nanoparticles gradually transforms from a weakly percolative assembly to a denser and more networked structure. Consequently, the surface of the coatings becomes significantly more electrically conductive, hydrophobic, and reflective. The general trend is that the thinner the nanohybrid coating, the more pronounced the effect of thermal annealing on its spatial reorganization and properties. These results open up interesting prospects in the field of metallized coating technology and pave the way for integration into a wide variety of devices, e.g., efficient and inexpensive reflectors for energy-saving applications, electrically conductive microdevices, and printed electronic microcircuits.

Understanding the role of solvents in bottom-up synthesis of multi-element hydroxides

Here we report a comparative study on the bottom-up synthesis of multi-element hydroxides composed of Mg, Al, Fe and Zn cations to understand the role of solvents. Two common solvents, water and ethylene glycol, a typical polyol, are used. The polyol-derived MgAlFeZn-OH are nanosheets with homogeneous elemental distribution, while the hydrothermal-derived MgAlFeZn-OH are mixtures of plate-like hydroxide layers and rod-like spinel oxides. The coordinating properties and the high viscosity of the ethylene glycol provide the possibility to mediate the hydrolysis rates and to control the particle growth. The high specific surface area of the polyol-derived multi-element hydroxide nanosheets (352.4 m2 g-1) guarantees them as excellent adsorbents for adsorbing anionic dyes in aqueous solution.

Ultrasound-Driven enhancement of Pt/C catalyst stability in oxygen reduction reaction

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have reached the commercialization phase, representing a promising approach to curbing carbon emissions. However, greater durability of PEMFCs is of paramount importance to ensure their long-term viability and effectiveness, and catalyst development has become a focal point of research. Pt nanoparticles supported on carbon materials (Pt/C) are the primary catalysts used in PEMFCs. Accomplishing both a high dispersion of uniform metal particles on the carbon support and robust adhesion between the metal particles and the carbon support is imperative for superior stability, and will thereby, advance the practical applications of PEMFCs in sustainable energy solutions. Ultrasound-assisted polyol synthesis (UPS) has emerged as a suitable method for synthesizing catalysts with a well-defined metal-support structure, characterized by the high dispersion and uniformity of metal nanoparticles. In this study, we focused on the effect of ultrasound on the synthesis of Pt/C via UPS and the resulting enhanced stability of Pt/C catalysts. Therefore, we compared Pt/C synthesized using a conventional polyol synthesis (Pt/C_P) and Pt/C synthesized via UPS (Pt/C_U) under similar synthesis conditions. The two catalysts had a similar Pt content and the average particle size of the Pt nanoparticles was similar; however, the uniformity and dispersion of Pt nanoparticles in Pt/C_U were better than those of Pt/C_P. Moreover, ex/in-situ analyses performed in a high-temperature environment, in which nanoparticles tend to agglomerate, have revealed that Pt/C_U exhibited a notable improvement in the adhesion of Pt particles to the carbon support compared with that of Pt/C_P. The enhanced adhesion is crucial for maintaining the stability of the catalyst, ultimately contributing to a better durability in practical applications. Ultrasound was applied to the carbon support without the Pt precursor under the same UPS conditions used to synthesize Pt/C_U to identify the reason for the increased adhesion between the Pt particles and the carbon support in Pt/C_U, and we discovered that oxygen functional groups (C-O, C = O, and O-C = O) for anchoring site of Pt particles were generated in the carbon support. Pt/C_U displayed an increase in stability in an electrochemical accelerated stress test (AST) in an acidic electrolyte. The physical and chemical effects of ultrasound on the synthesis of Pt/C via UPS were identified, and we concluded that UPS is suitable for synthesizing carbon supported electrocatalysts with high stability.

Metal nanoparticles and carbohydrate polymers team up to improve biomedical outcomes

The convergence of carbohydrate polymers and metal nanoparticles (MNPs) holds great promise for biomedical applications. Researchers aim to exploit the capability of carbohydrate matrices to modulate the physicochemical properties of MNPs, promote their therapeutic efficiency, improve targeted drug delivery, and enhance their biocompatibility. Therefore, understanding various attributes of both carbohydrates and MNPs is the key to harnessing them for biomedical applications. The many distinct types of carbohydrate-MNP systems confer unique capabilities for drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, cancer treatment, and even food packaging. Here, we introduce distinct physicochemical/biological properties of carbohydrates and MNPs, and discuss their potentials and shortcomings (alone and in combination) for biomedical applications. We then offer an overview on carbohydrate-MNP systems and how they can be utilized to improve biomedical outcomes. Last but not least, future perspectives toward the application of such systems are highlighted.

Two-Photon Polymerization Printing with High Metal Nanoparticle Loading

Two-photon polymerization (2PP) is an efficient technique to achieve high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D)-printed complex structures. However, it is restricted to photocurable monomer combinations, thus presenting constraints when aiming at attaining functionally active resist formulations and structures. In this context, metal nanoparticle (NP) integration as an additive can enable functionality and pave the way to more dedicated applications. Challenges lay on the maximum NP concentrations that can be incorporated into photocurable resist formulations due to the laser-triggered interactions, which primarily originate from laser scattering and absorption, as well as the limited dispersibility threshold. In this study, we propose an approach to address these two constraints by integrating metallic Rh NPs formed ex situ, purposely designed for this scope. The absence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) within the visible and near-infrared spectra, coupled with the limited absorption value measured at the laser operating wavelength (780 nm), significantly limits the laser-induced interactions. Moreover, the dispersibility threshold is increased by engineering the NP surface to be compatible with the photocurable resin, permitting us to achieve concentrations of up to 2 wt %, which, to our knowledge, is significantly higher than the previously reported limit (or threshold) for embedded metal NPs. Another distinctive advantage of employing Rh NPs is their role as promising contrast agents for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) bioimaging. We demonstrated the presence of Rh NPs within the whole 2PP-printed structure and emphasized the potential use of NP-loaded 3D-printed nanostructures for medical devices.

Recent Update Roles of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC)/Non-CTC Separation

Metastasis of cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important in the metastatic process of cancer. CTCs are able to circulate in the bloodstream. Therefore, they can be used as biomarkers of metastasis. However, CTCs are rare when compared to a large number of blood cells in the blood. Many CTC detection methods have been developed to increase CTC detection efficiency. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted immense attention owing to their potential medical applications. They are particularly appealing as a tool for cell separation. Because of their unique properties, MNPs are of considerable interest for the enrichment of CTCs through CTC or non-CTC separation. Herein, we review recent developments in the application of MNPs to separate CTCs or non-CTCs in samples containing CTCs. This review provides information on new approaches that can be used to detect CTCs in blood samples. The combination of MNPs with other particles for magnetic-based cell separation for CTC detection is discussed. Furthermore, different approaches for synthesizing MNPs are included in this review.

Thermal self-reduction of metal hydroxide acrylate monolayer nanoparticles leads formation of nanoparticulate and porous structured alloys

Chemical and physical designs of alloy nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention for the development of highly functional materials. Although polyol processes using ionic precursors are widely used to synthesise alloy nanoparticles, the reduction potential of polyols limits their chemical composition, making it difficult to obtain 3d transition metals. In this study, we employed pre-synthesized metal hydroxide salt monolayer nanoparticles as precursors to obtain alloy nanoparticles. Simultaneous dehydroxylation of the hydroxide moiety and decomposition of the organic moiety allowed the formation of stable face-centred cubic metals passing through the metal carbide and metastable hexagonal close-packed metal phases. This self-reduction process enabled the formation of nanoparticulate bimetallic alloys and macroporous/mesoporous-structured bimetallic alloys by compositing hard/soft templates with pre-synthesized metal hydroxide salt nanoparticles. We believe that the strategy presented in this study can be used to design nanostructures and chemical compositions of multimetallic alloy nanoparticles as well as bimetallic systems.

Peroxidase mimics of platinum-group metals for in vitro diagnostics: opportunities and challenges

Platinum-group metal (PGM) nanostructures with peroxidase-like catalytic activities (i.e., peroxidase mimics) have been actively developed and applied to in vitro diagnostics in recent years. This article provides our viewpoints on this emerging field from the perspectives of materials science and solid-state chemistry angles. We start with an introduction to PGM peroxidase mimics, their catalytic efficiencies, and insights into catalysis from computational simulations. We then discuss chemical approaches to the synthesis of PGM peroxidase mimics with desired physicochemical parameters and catalytic properties. Then, we elaborate on general methods for functionalizing the surfaces of PGM mimics with bioreceptors. Thereafter, we highlight the applications of PGM mimics in in vitro diagnostics, emphasizing the interactions of PGM mimics with other components of a diagnostic system. We conclude this article with our opinions on the challenges and opportunities in this field.

Gold and Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Assemblies on Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus for In-Solution Photothermal Experiments

The ability to construct three-dimensional architectures via nanoscale engineering is important for emerging applications in sensors, catalysis, controlled drug delivery, microelectronics, and medical diagnostics nanotechnologies. Because of their well-defined and highly organized symmetric structures, viral plant capsids provide a 3D scaffold for the precise placement of functional inorganic particles yielding advanced hierarchical hybrid nanomaterials. In this study, we used turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), grafting gold nanoparticles (AuNP) or iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) onto its outer surface. It is the first time that such an assembly was obtained with IONP. After purification, the resulting nano-biohybrids were characterized by different technics (dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microcopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy…), showing the robustness of the architectures and their colloidal stability in water. In-solution photothermal experiments were then successfully conducted on TYMV-AuNP and TYMV-IONP, the related nano-biohybrids, evidencing a net enhancement of the heating capability of these systems compared to their free NP counterparts. These results suggest that these virus-based materials could be used as photothermal therapeutic agents.

Copper(i) as a reducing agent for the synthesis of bimetallic PtCu catalytic nanoparticles

This work investigates the potential utilization of Cu(i) as a reducing agent for the transformation of the platinum salt K2PtCl4, resulting in the production of stable nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibit a bimetallic composition, incorporating copper within their final structure. This approach offers a convenient and accessible methodology for the production of bimetallic nanostructures. The catalytic properties of these novel nanomaterials have been explored in various applications, including their use as artificial metalloenzymes and in the degradation of dyes. The findings underscore the significant potential of Cu(i)-mediated reduction in the development of functional nanomaterials with diverse catalytic applications.

Mechanism of formation of Co-Ru nanoalloys: the key role of Ru in the reduction pathway of Co

The chemical synthesis of alloy nanoparticles requires adequate conditions to enable co-reduction instead of separate reduction of the two metal cations. The mechanism of formation of bimetallic cobalt-ruthenium nanoalloys by reducing metal salts in an alcohol medium was explored to draw general rules to extrapolate to other systems. The relative kinetics of the reduction of both metal cations were studied by UV-visible and in situ Quick-X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as H2 evolution. The addition of Co(II) ions does not influence the reduction kinetics of Ru(III) but adding Ru(III) to a Co(II) solution promotes the reduction of cobalt cations. Indeed, while CoO is formed when reaching the boiling temperature of the solvent for the monometallic system, a direct reduction of Co is observed at this temperature without formation of the oxide for the bimetallic one. The co-reduction of the metal cations results in the formation of bimetallic nanoplatelets, the size of which can be tuned by changing the Ru content.

New insights into pertinent Fe-complexes for the synthesis of iron via the instant polyol process

Chemically synthesized iron is in demand for biomedical applications due to its large saturation magnetization compared to iron oxides. The polyol process, suitable for obtaining Co and Ni particles and their alloys, is laborious in synthesizing Fe. The reaction yields iron oxides, and the reaction pathway remains unexplored. This study shows that a vicinal polyol, such as 1,2-propanediol, is suitable for obtaining Fe rather than 1,3-propanediol owing to the formation of a reducible Fe intermediate complex. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis reveals the ferric octahedral geometry and tetrahedral geometry in the ferrous state of the reaction intermediates in 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol, respectively. The final product obtained using a vicinal polyol is Fe with a γ-Fe2O3 shell, while the terminal polyol is favourable for Fe3O4. The distinct Fe-Fe and Fe-O bond lengths suggest the presence of a carboxylate group and a terminal alkoxide ligand in the intermediate of 1,2-propanediol. A large Fe-Fe bond distance suggests diiron complexes with bidentate carboxylate bridges. Prominent high-spin and low-spin states indicate the possibility of transition, which favors the reduction of iron ions in the reaction using 1,2-propanediol.

Ag Sinter Bonding to Si Substrate via Temporal Formation and Decomposition of Ag Carboxylate

This paper demonstrates the in situ sinter bonding of Ag microparticle pastes to a Si substrate via the temporal formation and decomposition of Ag carboxylate on the surface of Ag microparticles. This was proposed via the investigation of Ag sinter bonding using the redox reaction between Ag2O and ethylene glycol, which achieved a bonding strength above 30 MPa even for the bonding temperature at 220 °C. Thermal analysis was used to identify the product of the redox reaction between Ag2O and ethylene glycol and determine the bonding temperature because the final reaction facilitates the interfacial sinter bonding with the substrate. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance results indicated the in situ formation of Ag salts of carboxylic acids, such as Ag oxalate on the surface of Ag microparticles. Therefore, the sinter bonding process enabled by the in situ formation and subsequent decomposition of these Ag salts was investigated using Ag microparticles and oxalic acid. Observations of the surface and interfacial morphology of the Ag particles after heating revealed the formation of Ag nanoparticles on the surfaces of the microparticles and the formation of sintering necks between the particles. The bonding experiments demonstrated a significant increase in strength with the addition of oxalic acid to the Ag paste due to the enhanced interfacial sinter bonding with the substrate. The in situ formation and decomposition of Ag salts are promising strategies for improving sintered bonds in electronic devices because they can provide enhanced localized sinter bonding using stable insert materials.

Deciphering the role of water and a zinc-doping process in a polyol-based approach for obtaining Zn/Co/Al-based spinels: toward "green" mesoporous inorganic pigments

Two new families of zinc/cobalt/aluminum-based pigments, with a unique composition, were obtained through the polyol method. The hydrolysis process of a mixture of Co(CH3COO)2, Zn(acac)2 and Al(acac)3 (acac- = acetylacetonate ion) in 1,4-butanediol afforded dark blue gels (wPZnxCo1-xAl), in the presence of a supplementary amount of water, and light green powders (PZnxCo1-xAl), respectively, for the water-free procedure (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4). The calcination of the precursors yielded dark green (wZnxCo1-xAl) and blue (ZnxCo1-xAl) products. XRD measurements and Rietveld refinement indicate the co-existence of three spinel phases, in different proportions: ZnxCo1-xAl2O4, Co3O4 and the defect spinel, γ-Al2.67O4. The Raman scattering and XPS spectra are in agreement with the compositions of the samples. The morphology of wZnxCo1-xAl consists of large and irregular spherical particle aggregates (ca. 5-100 mm). Smaller agglomerates (ca. 1-5 mm) with a unique silkworm cocoon-like hierarchical morphology composed of cobalt aluminate cores covered with flake-like alumina shells are formed for ZnxCo1-xAl. TEM and HR-TEM analyses revealed the formation of crystalline, polyhedral particles of 7-43 nm sizes for wZnxCo1-xAl, while for ZnxCo1-xAl, a duplex-type morphology, with small (7-13 nm) and larger (30-40 nm) particles, was found. BET assessment showed that both series of oxides are mesoporous materials, with different pore structures, with the water-free samples exhibiting the largest surface areas due, most likely, to the high percent of aluminum oxide. A chemical mechanism is proposed to highlight the role of the water amount and the nature of the starting compounds in the hydrolysis reaction products and, further, in the morpho-structural features and composition of the resulting spinel oxides. The CIE L*a*b* and C* colorimetric parameters indicate that the pigments are bright, with a moderate degree of luminosity, presenting an outstanding high blueness.

Effects of NO3-, Cl-, and CH3COO- anions and diethylene glycol on the morphological, structural, antidiabetic, and cell viability properties of CeO2 nanoparticles

Cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a modified conventional polyol method. The ratio of diethylene glycol (DEG) and water in the synthesis was varied, and three different cerium precursor salts (Ce(NO₃)₃, CeCl₃, and Ce(CH₃COO)₃) were used. The structure, size, and morphology of the synthesized CeO₂ NPs were studied. An average crystallite size of 13 to 33 nm was obtained from the XRD analysis. Spherical and elongated morphologies of the synthesized CeO₂ NPs were acquired. Average particle sizes in the range of 16-36 nm were obtained by varying different ratios of DEG and water. The presence of DEG molecules on the surface of CeO₂ NPs was confirmed using FTIR. Synthesized CeO₂ NPs were used to study the antidiabetic and cell viability (cell cytotoxicity) properties. Antidiabetic studies were carried out using α-glucosidase enzymes inhibition activity. CeO₂ synthesized using Ce(NO₃)₃ and CeCl₃ precursors showed approximately 40.0% α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition activity, while CeO₂ synthesized using Ce(CH₃COO)₃ showed the lowest α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition activity. Cell viability properties of CeO₂ NPs were investigated using an in vitro cytotoxicity test. CeO₂ NPs prepared using Ce(NO₃)₃ and CeCl₃ were non-toxic at lower concentrations, while CeO₂ NPs prepared using Ce(CH₃COO)₃ were non-toxic at all concentrations. Therefore, polyol-mediated synthesized CeO₂ NPs showed quite good α-glucosidase inhibition activity and biocompatibility.

Nd Recovery from Wastewater with Magnetic Calcium Alginate ((1,4)-β-d-Mannuronic Acid and α-L-Guluronic Acid) Hydrogels

In this study, a magnetic adsorbent material was produced, by environmentally friendly and inexpensive precursor materials, to clean wastewater that may result from primary and secondary rare earth metal (REM) production. Then, the absorption of Nd³⁺ ions from wastewater was done and this process's kinetic and isotherm models were developed. Thus, the removal of Nd³⁺ from wastewater with magnetic materials was accomplished, and then, this precious metal was recovered by using different acid media. First, Fe sub-micron particles were successfully produced by the polyol method. To increase the stability of Fe-based particles, their surfaces were covered with an oxide layer, and the average thickness was determined as 16 nm. The synthesized Fe particles were added into the calcium alginate beads and then coated with chitosan to increase the pH stability of the gels. The chemical composition of the gels was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the thermal properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and the magnetic properties were determined by vibrating-sample magnetometer analysis. The magnetic saturation of the hydrogels was 0.297 emu/g. After the production of magnetic calcium alginate hydrogels, Nd³⁺ ion removal from wastewater was done. Wastewater was cleaned with 94.22% efficiency. The kinetic models of the adsorption study were derived, and isotherm studies were done. Adsorption reaction fitted different kinetic models at different time intervals and the Freundlich isotherm model. The effect of pH, temperature, and solid-liquid ratio on the system was determined and the thermodynamic constants of the system were calculated. After the adsorption studies, Nd³⁺ ions were regenerated in different acid environments and achieved an 87.48% efficiency value. The removal of Nd³⁺ ions from wastewater was carried out with high efficiency, the gels obtained as a result of adsorption were regenerated with high efficiency by using acid media, and it was predicted that the gels could be reused. This study is thought to have reference results not only for the removal of REM from wastewater by magnetic adsorption materials but also for the adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater.

PDDA induced step-pyramidal growth of nickel-platinum (Ni-Pt) nanoparticles for enhanced 4-nitrophenol reduction

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel platinum-based nanoparticles with step-pyramidal growth induced by poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The complex stepped pyramidal shape became the central point for outstanding catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol, overcoming the activity of bare Pt nanoparticles. These results are valuable for the catalytic degradation of reactive molecules.

Immobilizing Metal Nanoparticles on Hierarchically Porous Organic Cages with Size Control for Enhanced Catalysis

Incorporating metal nanoparticles (MNPs) into porous composites with controlled size and spatial distributions is beneficial for a broad range of applications, but it remains a synthetic challenge. Here, we present a method to immobilize a series of highly dispersed MNPs (Pd, Ir, Pt, Rh, and Ru) with controlled size (<2 nm) on hierarchically micro- and mesoporous organic cage supports. Specifically, the metal-ionic surfactant complexes serve as both metal precursors and mesopore-forming agents during self-assembly with a microporous imine cage CC3, resulting in a uniform distribution of metal precursors across the resultant supports. The functional heads on the ionic surfactants as binding sites, together with the nanoconfinement of pores, guide the nucleation and growth of MNPs and prevent their agglomeration after chemical reduction. Moreover, the as-synthesized Pd NPs exhibit remarkable activity and selectivity in the tandem reaction due to the advantages of ultrasmall particle size and improved mass diffusion facilitated by the hierarchical pores.

Temperature Responsive Diblock Polymer Brushes as Nanoreactors for Silver Nanoparticles Catalysis

Metal nanoparticles are widely used in catalysis. Loading metal nanoparticles into polymer brushes has aroused wide attention, but regulation of catalytic performance still needs to be improved. The novel diblock polymer brushes, polystyrene@sodium polystyrene sulfonate-b-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PSV@PSS-b-PNIPA) and PSV@PNIPA-b-PSS with reversed block sequence, were prepared by surface initiated photoiniferter-mediated polymerization (SI-PIMP) and used as nanoreactors to load silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The block sequence caused the difference of conformation and further affected the catalytic performance. PSV@PNIPA-b-PSS@Ag was found to be able to control the amount of AgNPs exposed to external reactant of 4-nitrophenol at different temperatures to achieve regulation of the reaction rate due to the hydrogen bonds and further physical crosslinking between PNIPA and PSS.

Defective multi-element hydroxides nanosheets for rapid removal of anionic organic dyes from water and oxygen evolution reaction

Water pollution by dyes is one of the biggest environmental problems. Adsorption technology has been widely used in wastewater treatment. In this work, high-entropy concept is used to design surface defective hydroxides realizing the rapid removal of dyes from water. Multi-element hydroxides (MEHs) containing three (CoMnNi, MEH-Ternary), four (CoMnNiZn, MEH-Quaternary), and five (CoMnNiZnFe, MEH-Quinary) metal elements are successfully synthesized through a polyol process. These as-synthesized MEHs are composed of nanosheets with a brucite-like structure. Along with the increase in compositional complexity (i.e., configurational entropy), the thickness of the nanosheets in these MEHs decreases, while the degree of surface defects increase. These surface defects are probably the active sites for anionic dyes adsorption, suggesting rapid adsorption kinetics with shortened diffusion path length. For MEH-Quinary in 0.2 mM Congo red (CR) and MEH-Ternary in 0.4 mM methyl orange (MO) aqueous solutions, respectively, high removal efficiency > 99.0% is achieved in the first 30 s. Their pseudo-second-order rate constants are two orders of magnitude higher than that of activated carbon and hydrotalcite. MEH-Quinary has maximum CR and MO adsorption quantity of 546.4 and 404.9 mg g^-1, respectively, by Langmuir model. The MEH-Quinary is also a potential electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction.

Development of Pd-based catalysts for hydrogenation of nitrite and nitrate in water: A review

Pd-based catalytic hydrogenation for nitrate decontamination has been the subject of extensive research over the past 30 years. Advances in computational simulation, nanomaterial synthesis, and experimental characterization in the past decade have generated new understandings of the reaction mechanisms, guided the development of various catalysts with enhanced performance, and brought revolutionary upgrades to conventional nitrate treatment technologies. However, technical and economic challenges are still limiting its large-scale implementation. In this review, we provide a brief summary of the up-to-date reaction pathways. We then critically examine the methods for the synthesis of supported Pd-based catalysts and the supports that are used for the immobilization of Pd-based catalysts, identifying candidate catalysts with the most promising future. To facilitate practical deployment and niche applications of catalytic hydrogenation, we introduce alternative easy-to-handle hydrogen carriers and cost-effective metal catalysts that can potentially substitute precious Pd. Afterwards, we emphasize the significance of new development in hybrid catalytic systems that couple catalytic processes with other modules, enabling economically and sustainably treating nitrate-contaminated water. Future research needs are accordingly proposed. Through this review, we aim to provide guidance for standardized catalyst synthesis strategies and candidate catalyst evaluation and motivate future research that produces catalysts with industrially relevant performance.

Synthesis and Characterization of Stable Cu-Pt Nanoparticles under Reductive and Oxidative Conditions

We report a synthesis method for highly monodisperse Cu-Pt alloy nanoparticles. Small and large Cu-Pt particles with a Cu/Pt ratio of 1:1 can be obtained through colloidal synthesis at 300 °C. The fresh particles have a Pt-rich surface and a Cu-rich core and can be converted into an intermetallic phase after annealing at 800 °C under H₂. First, we demonstrated the stability of fresh particles under redox conditions at 400 °C, as the Pt-rich surface prevents substantial oxidation of Cu. Then, a combination of in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and CO oxidation measurements of the intermetallic CuPt phase before and after redox treatments at 800 °C showed promising activity and stability for CO oxidation. Full oxidation of Cu was prevented after exposure to O₂ at 800 °C. The activity and structure of the particles were only slightly changed after exposure to O₂ at 800 °C and were recovered after re-reduction at 800 °C. Additionally, the intermetallic CuPt phase showed enhanced catalytic properties compared to the fresh particles with a Pt-rich surface or pure Pt particles of the same size. Thus, the incorporation of Pt with Cu does not lead to a rapid deactivation and degradation of the material, as seen with other bimetallic systems. This work provides a synthesis route to control the design of Cu-Pt nanostructures and underlines the promising properties of these alloys (intermetallic and non-intermetallic) for heterogeneous catalysis.

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Thioether-Stabilized Ruthenium Nanocubes and Their Optical Properties

Controlling the nucleation and growth processes for nanoparticle synthesis allows the development of well-defined structures that offer unique chemical and physical properties. Here, we report a wet chemical reduction method for synthesizing ruthenium nanocubes (Ru NCs) that display plasmonic properties at room temperature (RT). The growth of the particles to form nanostructured cubes was established by varying the carbon chain length of the thioether stabilizing ligands and the reaction time to produce stable and controlled growth. In this study, we found that the longer the thioether chain length, the less isotropic the shape of the particles. Short chain lengths of thioethers (ethyl sulfide and butyl sulfide) produced spherical nanoparticles, whereas longer chain lengths (hexyl sulfide and octyl sulfide) produced cubic nanoparticles. In addition, parameters such as the ligand to precursor ratio also played an important role in the homogeneity of the nanocubes. The Ru NCs were characterized by UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which supported a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. Moreover, to demonstrate catalytic efficiency, we studied their ability to reduce benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol, and the Ru NCs demonstrated an overall 78% efficiency at room temperature.

Metal Nanoclusters Synthesized in Alkaline Ethylene Glycol: Mechanism and Application

The "unprotected" metal and alloy nanoclusters (UMCs) prepared by the alkaline ethylene glycol method, which are stabilized with simple ions and solvent molecules, have the advantages of a small particle size, a narrow size distribution, good stability, highly efficient preparation, easy separation, surface modification and transfer between different phases. They can be composited with diverse materials to prepare catalytic systems with controllable structures, providing an effective means of studying the different factors' effects on the catalytic properties separately. UMCs have been widely used in the development of high-performance catalysts for a variety of functional systems. This paper will review the research progress on the formation mechanism of the unprotected metal nanoclusters, exploring the structure-function relationship of metal nanocluster catalysts and the preparation of excellent metal catalysts using the unprotected metal nanoclusters as building blocks or starting materials. A principle of the influence of carriers, ligands and modifiers in metal nanocluster catalysts on the catalytic properties is proposed.

Tailoring Heat Transfer and Bactericidal Response in Multifunctional Cotton Composites

Through the execution of scientific innovations, "smart materials" are shaping the future of technology by interacting and responding to changes in our environment. To make this a successful reality, proper component selection, synthesis procedures, and functional active agents must converge in practical and resource-efficient procedures to lay the foundations for a profitable and sustainable industry. Here we show how the reaction time, temperature, and surface stabilizer concentration impact the most promising functional properties in a cotton-based fabric coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@cotton), i.e., the thermal and bactericidal response. The coating quality was characterized and linked to the selected synthesis parameters and correlated by a parallel description of "proof of concept" experiments for the differential heat transfer (conversion and dissipation properties) and the bactericidal response tested against reference bacteria and natural bacterial populations (from a beach, cenote, and swamp of the Yucatan Peninsula). The quantification of functional responses allowed us to establish the relationship between (i) the size and shape of the AgNPs, (ii) the collective response of their agglomerates, and (iii) the thermal barrier role of a surface modifier as PVP. The procedures and evaluations in this work enable a spectrum of synthesis coordinates that facilitate the formulation of application-modulated fabrics, with grounded examples reflected in "smart packaging", "smart clothing", and "smart dressing".

Colloidal Approaches to Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals

Zinc oxide is an extensively studied semiconductor with a wide band gap in the near-UV. Its many interesting properties have found use in optics, electronics, catalysis, sensing, as well as biomedicine and microbiology. In the nanoscale regime the functional properties of ZnO can be precisely tuned by manipulating its size, shape, chemical composition (doping), and surface states. In this review, we focus on the colloidal synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) and provide a critical analysis of the synthetic methods currently available for preparing ZnO colloids. First, we outline key thermodynamic considerations for the nucleation and growth of colloidal nanoparticles, including an analysis of different reaction methodologies and of the role of dopant ions on nanoparticle formation. We then comprehensively review and discuss the literature on ZnO NC systems, including reactions in polar solvents that traditionally occur at low temperatures upon addition of a base, and high temperature reactions in organic, nonpolar solvents. A specific section is dedicated to doped NCs, highlighting both synthetic aspects and structure-property relationships. The versatility of these methods to achieve morphological and compositional control in ZnO is explicated. We then showcase some of the key applications of ZnO NCs, both as suspended colloids and as deposited coatings on supporting substrates. Finally, a critical analysis of the current state of the art for ZnO colloidal NCs is presented along with existing challenges and future directions for the field.