A facile synthetic strategy for the creation of hollow noble metal/transition metal oxide nanocomposites

Metal Oxides Nanomaterials and Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Healthcare Applications

Wide-ranging research efforts have been directed to prioritize scientific and technological inventions for healthcare monitoring. In recent years, the effective utilization of functional nanomaterials in various electroanalytical measurements realized a rapid, sensitive, and selective detection and monitoring of a wide range of biomarkers in body fluids. Owing to good biocompatibility, high organic capturing ability, strong electrocatalytic activity, and high robustness, transition metal oxide-derived nanocomposites have led to enhancements in sensing performances. The aim of the present review is to describe key advancements of transition metal oxide nanomaterials and nanocomposites-based electrochemical sensors, along with current challenges and prospects towards the development of a highly durable and reliable detection of biomarkers. Moreover, the preparation of nanomaterials, electrode fabrication, sensing mechanism, electrode-bio interface, and performance of metal oxides nanomaterials and nanocomposite-based sensor platforms will be described.

Noble Metal Nanoparticles Incorporated Siliceous TUD-1 Mesoporous Nano-Catalyst for Low-Temperature Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide

This report, for the first time, demonstrated the low-temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) using nano-catalysts consisting of noble metal nanoparticles incorporated in TUD-1 mesoporous silica nano-structures synthesized via a one-pot surfactant-free sol–gel synthesis methodology. Herein, we investigated a nano-catalyst, represented as M-TUD-1 (M = Rh, Pd, Pt and Au), which was prepared using a constant Si/M ratio of 100. The outcome of the analytical studies confirmed the formation of a nano-catalyst ranging from 5 to 10 nm wherein noble metal nanoparticles were distributed uniformly onto the mesopores of TUD-1. The catalytic performance of M-TUD-1 catalysts was examined in the environmentally impacted CO oxidation reaction to CO₂. The catalytic performance of Au-TUD-1 benchmarked other M-TUD-1 catalysts and a total conversion of CO was obtained at 303 K. The activity of the other nano-catalysts was obtained as Pt-TUD-1 > Pd-TUD-1 > Rh-TUD-1, with a total CO conversion at temperatures of 308, 328 and 348 K, respectively. The Au-TUD-1 exhibited a high stability and reusability as indicated by the observed high activity after ten continuous runs without any treatment. The outcomes of this research suggested that M-TUD-1 are promising nano-catalysts for the removal of the toxic CO gas and can also potentially be useful to protect the environment where a long-life time, cost-effectiveness and industrial scaling-up are the key approaches.

Metal/semiconductor interfaces in nanoscale objects: synthesis, emerging properties and applications of hybrid nanostructures

Hybrid nanostructures, composed of multi-component crystals of various shapes, sizes and compositions are much sought-after functional materials. Pairing the ability to tune each material separately and controllably combine two (or more) domains with defined spatial orientation results in new properties. In this review, we discuss the various synthetic mechanisms for the formation of hybrid nanostructures of various complexities containing at least one metal/semiconductor interface, with a focus on colloidal chemistry. Different synthetic approaches, alongside the underlying kinetic and thermodynamic principles are discussed, and future advancement prospects are evaluated. Furthermore, the proved unique properties are reviewed with emphasis on the connection between the synthetic method and the resulting physical, chemical and optical properties with applications in fields such as photocatalysis.

Facile construction of hierarchical ellipsoid-shaped TiO2 porous nanostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Hierarchical ellipsoid-shaped TiO₂ porous nanostructures with efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB are constructed by hierarchical assembly of TiO₂ nanoparticles.