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The heterogeneous photocatalysis process has been known to provide significant levels of degradation and mineralization of emerging contaminants including antibiotics. For that, nanoparticle CuCr 2 O 4 (CCO) ceramics were successfully prepared via sol-gel (SG) and co-precipitation (CP) methods to obtain spinel with desired structural features and properties and also to improve the photocatalytic performances. The CCO crystallite phase was produced at 750 °C all ceramics, disregarding the synthesis route. CCO physical and chemical properties were checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and diffuse reflectance solid (DRS). The XRD patterns demonstrated that the synthesized catalysts displayed a small crystallite size between 17.45 and 26.24 nm for SG and 20.97 and 36.86 nm for the CCO CP samples. The observation by SEM and TEM of the nanopowders showed a typical morphology with comparable particle sizes for both synthesized routes (20-30 nm). SG agglomeration rates were higher, and particles stick together more efficiently considering the CP method, while the CCO CP method led to a more significant porosity. Their photocatalytic and adsorption performances were examined for cefaclor (CFC) removal chosen as a target pharmaceutical contaminant in water. The results obtained by the methods differed since nanoparticles prepared by SG led to high photocatalytic activity. In contrast, a high CFC adsorption was observed for those prepared via the CP method, and that agreed with the findings of the characterization analysis. The kinetics of the adsorption process was found to follow the pseudo-second-order rate law. In contrast, the data of the photodegradation process were further found to comply with the Lagergren kinetic law. Nevertheless, the global reaction rate is probably controlled by the intra-particular diffusion of CFC, regardless of the elimination process.

Magnetic Fe3 O4 /SiO2 composite core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized, and applied for the surfactant-assisted solid-phase extraction of five benzodiazepines diazepam, oxazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam, and midazolam, from human hair and wastewater samples before high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The nanocomposite was synthesized in two steps. First, Fe3 O4 nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical co-precipitation method of Fe(III) and Fe(II) as reaction substrates and NH3 /H2 O as precipitant. Second, the surface of Fe3 O4 nanoparticles was modified with shell silica by Stober method using tetraethylorthosilicate. The Fe3 O4 /SiO2 composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. To enhance their adsorptive tendency toward benzodiazepines, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was added, which was adsorbed on the surface of the Fe3 O4 /SiO2 nanoparticles and formed mixed hemimicelles. The main parameters affecting the efficiency of the method were thoroughly investigated. Under optimum conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.10-15 μgmL(-1) . The relative standard deviations ranged from 2.73 to 7.07%. The correlation coefficients varied from 0.9930 to 0.9996., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

To inhibit the photocatalytic degradation of organic material supports induced by small titania (TiO2 ) nanoparticles, four kinds of TiO2 nanoparticles, that is, commercial P25-TiO2 , commercial rutile phase TiO2 , rutile TiO2 nanorods and rutile TiO2 spheres, prepared from TiCl4 , were coated with a thin, but dense, coating of silica (SiO2 ) using a conventional sol-gel technique to form TiO2 /SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles. These core/shell particles were deposited and fixed as a very thin coating onto the surface of cellulose paper samples by a wet-chemistry polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer approach. The TiO2 /SiO2 nanocoated paper samples exhibit higher whiteness and brightness and greater stability to UV-bleaching than comparable samples of blank paper. There are many potential applications for this green chemistry approach to protect cellulosic fibres from UV-bleaching in sunlight and to improve their whiteness and brightness., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The catalytic activity of Mg-based spinel oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on the combustion behavior of gasoline and their effects on the atomization behavior were determined by droplet scale combustion experiments. MgFe2O4, MgCo2O4 and MgMnO3 spinel oxide NPs were produced by the sol-gel technique and doped into gasoline. The particles with the highest surface oxygen were MgCo2O4 and MgFe2O4 NPs, while the NPs with the largest surface area were MgCo2O4 NPs (517.8433 m2/g). The size of the flame envelope tends to shrink as the oxygen concentration of the particles rises, but an increase in their surface area tends to shorten ignition delay periods. MgFe2O4 NPs increased the flame temperature by 163°C compared to the pure gasoline. While MgFe2O4 and MgMnO3 NPs increased the extinction time of gasoline, MgCo2O4 NPs decreased the severe time by about 75% with the violent micro-explosions they created. In this study, we focused on the production of spinel oxide agents customized for combustion with improved catalytic activity, high flammability, and different component designs, and the results showed that these particles can reduce the soot formation of conventional hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) or 4, 4'-isopropylidene diphenol, a common endocrine disruptor was carried out by ultrasound irradiation at 40 kHz in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles, NaCl, Na2SO4, H2O2, and CCl4. The BPA degradation is carried out at pH 6.3(stock solution), pH 2, and 8 in the presence and absence of the aforesaid additives at different concentrations. The degradation behavior of BPA was measured through the UVvisible spectrophotometer. The ZnO nanoparticle was synthesized by the Sol-Gel method and characterized by SEM, EDX, and XRD. The experimental result shows that the rate of degradation increased with the addition of additives. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticle drastically favored the degradation rate of BPA. The BPA degradation rate is also improved in acidic conditions compared to the basic conditions. Therefore, the BPA can be efficiently removed from the aqueous medium using ultrasound irradiation in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles, NaCl, Na2SO4, H2O2, and CCl4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 FeO 3 /In 2 O 3 composites were prepared by sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, elemental valence and ethanol gas sensing performance were characterized and studied. At 330 °C, Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 FeO 3 /In 2 O 3 composite sensor exhibits a response of 112 when exposed to 100 ppm ethanol, roughly 7 times higher than Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 FeO 3. The response/recovery time of the sensor is 5 s/75 s, alongside good selectivity, anti-interference and stability. The improved performance in gas sensing may be ascribed to heterojunctions between Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 FeO 3 nanoparticles and In 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 FeO 3 /In 2 O 3 composites have larger specific surface area, which increases adsorption sites and supports reactions more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present work is to get insight into the polarization switching and dielectric response of PVDF-TrFE with incorporation of BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles. For this purpose, cost-effective solvent casting technique was used, to prepare PVDF-TrFE/BaTiO3 composite free-standing films. It is necessary to prepare films in which BTO nanoparticles are distributed homogenously without agglomeration. Surface functionalization technique is reported to be useful in homogenous distribution of the nanofiller in polymer matrix. However, addition of surface modifier causes reduction in the permittivity of the polymer nanocomposite and deteriorates the desired properties. Therefore, the main aim of the present work is to obtain homogenous free-standing PVDF-TrFE/BaTiO3 composite films in which filler is dispersed without any use of surface modifier. Hence ferroelectric particles are dispersed in the ferroelectric polymer matrix. It has been observed that nanocomposite is much more complex compared to the simple models based on spheres dispersed in a medium. Complexities arise due to the strain and interfacial effects of the BTO nanoparticles on the ferroelectric matrix which exhibits marked effect on structural and electrical response of the system. Consequently, specific concentration of filler has been identified at which optimum ferroelectric and dielectric properties of PVDF-TrFE/BaTiO3 composite have been achieved. Incorporation of more than a desired concentration of filler affects the chain alignment and causes reduction in the β-phase content. Correlation between structural and electrical response has been discussed in detail to explain the non-monotonic trend of polarization as a function of BTO content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have studied the effect of annealing temperature (T S) on the structural properties and the critical behavior of Nd 0.5 Sr 0.5 MnO 3 compound prepared by sol-gel method (T S = 600, 700, 800 and 1000 °C). Scanning electronic microscope images indicate that all the samples are nanosized. The refinement of X-ray diffraction data shows that the samples sintered at 600 °C and 700 °C have three structural phases and that the monoclinic phase is linked to a superstructure (superlattice). The samples sintered at 800 °C and 1000 °C crystallize in the orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group, indicating the occurrence of a structural transition with increasing particle size. The magnetic measurements reveal that all our samples exhibit a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with the absence of the long-range charge-ordered antiferromagnetic state. Through the magnetic field dependent magnetization, the observed overlapping between the isotherms suggests the persistence of some antiferromagnetic ordering in the nanosized samples. The reduction of saturation magnetization at 5 K for the sample sintered at 1000 °C indicates the beginning of the establishment of long-range charge ordering. The study of critical exponents has shown that the mean-field model is the most suitable model to describe the magnetic interactions for all our samples, suggesting the presence of long-range ferromagnetic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, amorphous nanoparticles were extracted from fly ash using a sol-gel method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using XRF spectroscopy, XRD, FT-IR and TEM. The XRD curves show the presence of both crystalline and amorphous phases. FT-IR analysis indicated the presence of silanol and siloxane groups. Upon analysis, the primary nanoparticles were found to exhibit a roughly spherical shape with an average size of approximately 65 nm. The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility of applying the sol-gel method to synthesize nanoparticles derived from coal fly ash (CFA), thereby avoiding other expensive and energy-intensive methods of nanoparticle synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of iron oxide nanoparticles with different textural and structural characteristics were synthesized using the sol-gel method. The iron oxide nanoparticles were made with synthetic (Pluronic P123 Amphiphilic Block Copolymer) and natural (gelatin) double templates and single P123 templates. The influences of the addition of the gelatin template on the microstructure, methylene blue degradation, and thermal photocatalyst regeneration were investigated. The Xray Diffraction (XRD) examination revealed the formation of iron-P123-gelatin (iron oxide made with P123 and gelatin templates) and iron-P123 (iron oxide made with only P123 template) with hematite and maghemite phases, where the crystallinity and crystallite size increased due to the presence of gelatin. Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) studies indicated a peak at 500 cm-1, revealing the iron groups in both samples and increased intensity in the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups due to gelatin. Furthermore, the surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter of iron-P123-gelatin exhibited an increment due to gelatin addition. According to the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analyzer (DTA) data, the sample with gelatin had higher thermal stability and weight loss than that without gelatin. The photodegradation of methylene blue utilizing iron-P123-gelatin reached 91.5%, showing a better performance than that of iron-P123. Finally, iron-P123-gelatin demonstrated a promising photocatalyst thermal regeneration for methylene blue photodegradation for 5 cycles at various temperatures, and it is suggested that 450 °C was the ideal temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano Si3N4 powder was successfully synthesized using a combination of sol foaming and carbothermal reduction and nitridation techniques. The process utilized fumed silica (amorphous nano SiO2 powder) as the silicon source, sucrose (C12H22O11) as the carbon source, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as the foaming agent, and nitric acid (HNO3) as the oxidant, to prepare precursor of the Si3N4 powder. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of various factors on the size of the Si3N4 particles. Specifically, the molar ratio of NH4Cl to SiO2 (ε), the foaming temperature, the sintering temperature, and the holding time were analyzed in detail. The results revealed that under the optimized conditions of ε = 1, a SiO2 : C12H22O11 = 1 : 1.5, and a foaming temperature of 350 °C, a fluffy precursor was obtained. This precursor featured amorphous SiO2 evenly coated with organic carbon, which was crucial for the subsequent synthesis process. Subsequently, the precursor was subjected to a nitridation process at 1500 °C for 2 h. This resulted in the formation of nano α-Si3N4 powder. The powder displayed a specific surface area of about 52 m2/g, an average particle size of approximately 20 nm, and a high degree of sphericity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the structural, magnetic, and blood compatibility properties of Sr2+ substituted for Cu2+ in Cu 1−x Sr x Fe 2 O 4 (x = 0.0 to 1 with a 0.25 increment) nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel auto-combustion technique. Regardless of the substitution rate, the sol-gel auto-combustion method consistently yields powders with sizes ranging from 20 to 40 nm. The specific surface area of the produced powders is determined as 12 m2/g. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that CuFe 2 O 4 exhibits a singular phase; however, as the Sr2+ ion substitution increases, the emergence of various secondary phases becomes apparent, with their proportions increasing with the substitution rate. The magnetic characteristics of the synthesized powders exhibit variations in magnetization, correlating with the distribution of cations in the sublattice points. Coercivities are influenced by both anisotropy and secondary phases. Saturation magnetization decreases from 31.3 (CuFe 2 O 4) to 7.6 (SrFe 2 O 4) emu/g with Sr replacement. The lowest observed coercivity is 429.5 Oe in powders prepared with CuFe 2 O 4 composition, while the highest is measured at 583.8 Oe in nanopowders prepared with Cu 0.5 Sr 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 composition. Moreover, blood compatibility experiments indicate significantly low hemolysis ratios for Cu 1−x Sr x Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. Additionally, all examined samples exhibit an increase in Soret band intensity compared to the negative control test, suggesting potential biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the present study, citrus pectin-stabilized copper/iron bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst has been used for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in wastewater produced from the food industry. Methods: The P@Cu/Fe composites were synthesized by co-precipitation and the sol-gel methods. Results and discussion: The characterization of the composites was carried out using UV, FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques, revealing that P1@Cu/FeNPs synthesized through co-precipitation had a particle size of 150-35 nm with an irregular spherical and hexagonal shape. P2@Cu/FeNPs, synthesized using the gel combustion method using triethylamine as fuel, proved to be a better nanocatalyst with spherical particles having a uniform structure and size distribution of 105-23 nm. The mean zeta potential value of P1@Cu/FeNPs was found to be between 0 and 5mv, showing the composite to be less stable and 13 mv for more stable P2@Cu/FeNPs. The degradation of MB by P1@Cu/FeNPs was recorded up to 23.57% after 35 min and the nanocomposite synthesized by the sol-gel method exhibited 97.28% degradation in 30 min. The P2@Cu/FeNPs performed the best degradation due to their synergistic impact. In essence, this research represents a step toward the synthesis of bimetallic NPs using a biomaterial (citrus pectin) with improved synergistic photocatalytic potential that can induce different features in nanomaterials. Pectin-functionalized NPs using different metals should be synthesized and tested for different catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aqueous room temperature mono-dehydration of sugar alcohols (D-sorbitol and D-mannitol) was conducted using functionalized yttrium oxide nanocatalysts prepared via sol-gel methods. Materials exhibited high selectivity to mono-dehydration products. Solvent and catalyst effects were also investigated and discussed. The introduction of titanium into the yttrium oxide framework would decrease both substrate conversion and mono-dehydration efficiency. In addition, studies of the catalytic mechanism indicate high mono-dehydration efficiency may come from the stability of the formed intermediate during catalysis. This work provides a highly efficient and benign system for catalytic mono-dehydration of sugar alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe 2 O 4 NPs) using the sol-gel precipitation process via mixing a stoichiometric ratio of cobalt chloride (1 M) and ferric chloride (2 M). The molar of ferric to cobalt was mentioned (2:1) and then 2 M of sodium hydroxide was added. The structural and morphological features of the material were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrical properties were analyzed using an LCR meter, while the magnetic properties were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigated the material's molecular vibrations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that all the samples exhibited a cubic spinal structure, and no additional peak was detected. Interestingly, the average size of the crystallites (D) decreased from 17.74 nm to 16.58 nm as the pH level increased from 7 to 13. This finding provides important insights into the behaviour of the tested samples under different pH conditions. The formation of the ferrite spine was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, with the primary detected bands (408.92–470.65 cm−1) attributed to the octahedral complexes and (516.94–588.31 cm−1) assigned to the tetrahedral ones. The dielectric and imaginary part of the dielectric constant decreased with increasing pH values excluding samples prepared at pH = 11. All samples with different pH values exhibit resonance peaks at frequencies up to (1 KHz). The magnetic measurements carried out by the VSM instrument, the result show that the saturation magnetization increases with increasing pH and the higher saturation magnetization is 68 emu. g1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Zr-TiO2 catalysts were prepared using a facile sol-gel method and were used for N-methylmorpholine (NMM) oxidation to N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). The structure features of Zr-TiO2 catalysts were studied in detail through a variety of characterization methods, such as XRD, SEM, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, XPS, EPR, and O2-TPD. As-obtained 5%Zr-TiO2 catalysts had superior catalytic performance and stability with a 97.6% NMMO yield at 40 °C, which related to Zr doping, a higher surface area, more oxygen vacancies, and oxygen chemisorption on the catalytic surface. This work provides an efficient preparation strategy of TiO2-based catalysts for selective oxidation reactions by a facile method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, raw materials, namely zinc acetate dihydrate, iron nitrate nonahydrate, and solvent 2-methoxyethanol, were utilized to synthesize zinc ferrite nanoparticles by sol–gel method. The synthesized material was annealed at different temperatures of 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C to study its effect on morphological, optical, and magnetic properties. Formation of single phase spinel cubic structure with intense peak orientation along (311) direction was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction pattern. FESEM and EDX spectra of the annealed samples confirmed the surface morphology and elemental composition. UV–visible spectral analysis was used to examine the optical properties of the samples. VSM at room temperature revealed the ferromagnetic behavior of zinc ferrite nanoparticles. All the prepared samples at different annealing temperatures showed good antibacterial properties against different bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron vanadate (FeVO4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the sol‐gel auto‐combustion technique, yielding a triclinic nanostructure as revealed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The average size, crystalline structure, and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to investigate the elemental content and purity of the FeVO4 NPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the surface stretching frequency of the FeVO4 NPs. Using a doctor blade, the produced FeVO4 NPs were applied to the surface of a stainless steel (SS) substrate. The fabricated electrode was examined using GCD, EIS, and CV techniques. The absorption spectra exhibited strong absorbance in the visible range, with a band gap of 3.43 eV. Additionally, the FeVO4 electrode showed supercapacitor properties, with a maximum specific capacitance of 1151.05 F/g in a 1 M KOH electrolyte at a scan rate of 5 mV/s. These results indicate that the prepared FeVO4 electrode is promising for supercapacitor application due to their excellent electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports preparation of CuEr 2 TiO 6 nanoparticles using Pechini sol-gel method. The characterization of nanoparticles was carried out using FESEM, EDX, XRD, PL, DRS, Raman, and FTIR. DRS analysis shows that the prepared nanoparticles can serve as an effective visible light photocatalyst. Photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles was investigated toward degradation of aqueous solution of acid red 88 (AR88) under visible light irradiation. The highest photoactivity (91.2 %) was achieved after 150 min illumination using 40 mg of the photocatalyst. Effect of some contributing factors was studied on degradation rate of AR 88, including amount of photocatalyst and H 2 O 2 concentration. Also, in order to examine stability of the prepared nanoparticles for long-time applications, the recyclability experiments were conducted at 7 successive reaction cycles which confirm the great stability of the prepared nanoparticles. Also, radical scavenging experiments reveal that the dominant species in photocatalytic reactions are hydroxyl radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which determined the effects of optimized and developed formulation on softness and wrinkle resistance properties of cotton fabric. The researchers synthesized polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilized nano-Zinc Oxide (ZnO) particles using the sol-gel method. The results showed a significant enhancement in fabric softness, crease recovery and low stress mechanical properties.

The current study, accurately designed and created a two-dimensional (2D) structure of SnO 2 nano-flowers and In 2 O 3 nanoparticles using a simple hydrothermal technique and sol-gel method, respectively. On the outer surface of SnO 2 nanoflowers the In 2 O 3 nanoparticles were uniformly growing, clearly revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopic. Besides, crystal phase structure, surface area and elementals composition were characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, EDS, XPS and the gas sensing properties of In 2 O 3 @SnO 2 NFs. The results exhibited that 2 wt% In 2 O 3 @SnO 2 NFs sensor is highly sensitive to NO 2 , the response (R g /R a) to 30 ppm NO 2 is 94.5, and at 50 ppb the response measured 0.61 at 150 °C, the response time is 32 and 51s, respectively, along with good moisture resistance. Besides along with excellent selectivity, long-term stability, and relative humidity (RH) in high-humidity environment, the 2 wt% In 2 O 3 @SnO 2 NFs still maintain high response 91 at 30 ppm. More importantly, at room temperature the response was (Rg/Ra = 1.01) at detection limit 300 ppb towards NO 2 , which could use be for trace NO 2 gas detection. The large specific surface areas of SnO 2 , the abundance of oxygen species adsorbed on the surface, the distinctive electron transformation between heterojunction materials, and high electron transmission channel of SnO 2 and In 2 O 3 transition layer were all considered to have a synergistic effect thatin2 contributed to excellent sensing properties of In 2 O 3 @SnO 2 NFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 , also called zirconia) is used for restoration or as an implant in dentistry due to its properties and the aesthetics that can be achieved. In the present work, zirconia particles were obtained by the sol-gel method using acid or basic medium to study its influence on the nucleation and growth of the particle size and determine the crystallite size of the high-temperature phase. Also, to control the particle size and improve the solubility and dispersion of the colloidal particles resulting from the hydrolysis-condensation reactions, a mixture of alcohol of different chain lengths were used. The zirconia samples were heat treated at 400, 600, and 800 °C and up to 250 h of holding times to follow the growth of crystallite size of zirconia phases. The results showed tetragonal (ZrO 2 -t) and monoclinic (ZrO 2 -m) zirconia as predominant phases, regardless of the synthesis conditions and heat treatment used. The monoclinic phase is favored at elevated temperatures and prolonged holding times, while the tetragonal ones are favored at low temperatures. The holding time promotes the transformation from the tetragonal to the monoclinic phase in both media (acid and basic). However, this transformation is promoted by the basic catalyst, while the acid medium favors the stability of the tetragonal phase at 400 and 600 °C. The phase transformation, particle size, and crystallite size depend on the synthesis conditions and heat treatment used to obtain the zirconia particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are becoming increasingly popular in the scientific community because of their many desirable properties. These features include solution processability, low weight, low cost, and the ability to process on a wide scale using roll-to-roll technology. Enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, particularly high-performance OSCs, requires study into not only material design but also interface engineering. This study demonstrated that two different types of OSCs based on the PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F and PM6:Y6 active layers use a ZnO bilayer electron transport layer (ETL). The ZnO bilayer ETL comprises a ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO NP) and a ZnO layer created from a sol-gel. The effect of incorporating ZnO NPs into the electron transport layer (ETL) was studied; in particular, the effects on the electrical, optical, and morphological properties of the initial ZnO ETL were analyzed. The ability of ZnO films to carry charges is improved by the addition of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), which increase their conductivity. The bilayer structure had better crystallinity and a smoother film surface than the single-layer sol-gel ZnO ETL. This led to a consistent and strong interfacial connection between the photoactive layer and the electron transport layer (ETL). Therefore, inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) with PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F and PM6:Y6 as photoactive layers exhibit improved power conversion efficiency and other photovoltaic properties when using the bilayer technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study introduces an uncomplicated approach to produce Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles through the sol-gel method, eliminating the need for a washing procedure, and assessing its antibacterial properties. The characteristics of the nanoparticles were examined through advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The resulting Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles displayed a spherical morphology. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles was evaluated. Prepared ZnO had a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. The incorporation of Mg into ZnO led to a modification of its band gap from 3.23 eV for pure ZnO to 3.18 eV for doped ZnO. MgO has a wider band gap compared to ZnO, and by doping ZnO with Mg, the band gap of the resulting Mg doped ZnO particles can be adjusted. The results exhibited inhibition sizes of 7.7 mm and 6.1 mm against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Following Mg doping, the inhibition zone against E. coli and S. aureus increased to 8.3 mm and 9.1 mm, respectively. The decrease in band gap values could be the reason behind the enhanced bactericidal activity as it increases the likelihood of hydroxyl radical generation. The results clearly show that the Mg doping have positive effect on the antimicrobial effects against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel hybrid deep neural network (DNN) with the White Shark optimization (WSO) algorithm to predict and optimize the gas sensing performance of Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4 nanoparticles at different sizes (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5). In order to create Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4, the sol–gel process was employed, with x varying from 0.1 to 0.5 ppm. This study utilized precursors such as Ni(NO3)2·6H2O, Mg(NO3)2·6H2O, Co(NO3)2·6H2O, and Fe(NO3)3·9H2O. Response–recovery curves were analyzed, and a hybrid DNN-WSO model was created to predict gas sensing properties for Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4 ferrite materials with different Mg levels. Fit statistics like the sum of squares (SSE), R-squared (R2), degrees of freedom (DFE), adjusted R2, and RMSE were calculated. In XRD analysis, the (311) peak shifted from 35.6561° to 35.5614° for Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4. At 200 °C, the sensor is more responsive to NO2 gas than NH3 gas, with Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4(x = 0.5) showing the highest response due to increased oxygen adsorption sites for gas oxidation. Smaller particle sizes (x = 0.1) in SEM analysis exhibited well-defined nanocrystalline structures with high crystallinity and smooth surfaces, enhancing sensitivity. The TGA results confirm the stability and functionality of the proposed materials up to the operating temperature of 250 °C. The Ni0.6−xMgxCo0.4Fe2O4(x=0.2) concentration exhibited the best predictive accuracy with high R2, high adjusted R2, enhanced DFE, and low RMSE. The hybrid DNN-WSO algorithm effectively predicts and optimizes gas sensing performance, which is significant for advancing efficient gas sensor development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO 2 photocatalyst was synthesised via a low-temperature sol-gel process using organic solvents (TO) and aqueous extract of mangrove leaves (TM) as media. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated by degrading reactive red 195 (RR195) dye under UV irradiation. An increase in the dosage of both TO and TM photocatalysts, coupled with a decrease in the initial concentration of RR195 dye, enhanced the dye degradation rate. Reactive species scavenger analysis revealed that •O 2 − radicals and electrons were the primary species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of RR195 dye. The antibacterial properties of both TO and TM NPs were also tested against S. aureus , E. faecalis and V. damsela bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The green method utilising TM demonstrated resistance to all three bacteria types, while TO exhibited greater resistance, specifically against V. damsela. Notably, TM NPs exhibiting inhibition comparable to Ciprofloxacin when used as a positive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, as‐prepared and Ag‐decorated ZnO/Zn(OH)2 composite nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained using the sol–gel technique. First, the effect of aging on the structural, optical, and morphological features was examined. Ag NPs can interact with the electronic structure of ZnO/Zn(OH)2 NPs, resulting in changes in their energy levels. It was found that the composite NPs obtained after 6 h solution aging increased in full width at half maximum and good crystallinity of the structures from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The Raman spectrum supports the experimental data obtained from XRD and Fourier transform infrared, a material containing a mixture of ZnO and Zn(OH)2. From the morphological study, Ag NPs were successfully decorated on the ZnO/Zn(OH)2 surface, and composite NPs did not change the morphological appearance of the structure. Second, the photocatalytic performance of the samples was investigated. In the experimental setting, ultra‐violet A light was employed as the irradiation source, whereas rhodamine B (RhB) was used as the dyestuff. The photo‐degradation of the RhB dyestuff on composite NPs was observed to be 98.5% and 92.5% for 6 and 2 h aged samples, respectively. On Ag NPs, the catalytic performance of the sample was increased up to 95% after 180 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of nanostructures to polymeric materials allows for a direct interaction between polymeric chains and nanometric structures, resulting in a synergistic process through the physical (electrostatic forces) and chemical properties (bond formation) of constituents for the modification of their properties and potential cutting-edge materials. This study explores a novel in situ synthesis method for PDMS-%SiO2 nanoparticle composites with varying crosslinking degrees (PDMS:TEOS of 15:1, 10:1, and 5:1); particle concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%); and sol-gel catalysts (acidic and alkaline). This investigation delves into the distinct physical and chemical properties of silicon nanoparticles synthesized under acidic (SiO2-a) and alkaline (SiO2-b) conditions. A characterization through Raman, FT-IR, and XPS analyses confirms particle size and agglomeration differences between both the SiO2-a and SiO2-b particles. Similar chemical environments, with TEOS and ethanol by-products, were detected for both systems. The results on polymer composites elucidate the successful incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles into the PDMS matrix without altering the PDMS's chemical structure. However, the presence of nanoparticles did affect the relative intensities of specific vibrational modes over composites from −35% to 24% (Raman) and from −14% to 59% (FT-IR). The XPS results validate the presence of Si, O, and C in all composites, with significant variations in atomic proportions (C/Si and O/Si) and Si and C component analyses through deconvolution techniques. This study demonstrates the successful in situ synthesis of PDMS-SiO2 composites with tunable properties by controlling the sol-gel and crosslinking synthesis parameters. The findings provide valuable insights into the in situ synthesis methods of polymeric composite materials and their potential integration with polymer nanocomposite processing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections triggered by patient or healthcare worker contact with surfaces are a major cause of medically acquired infections. By controlling the kinetics of tetrabutyl titanate hydrolysis and condensation during the sol–gel process, it is possible to regulate the content of Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies (OVs) in TiO2, and adjust the associated visible light-induced photocatalytic performance and anti-bacterial adhesion properties. The results have shown that the Ti3+ content in TiO2 was 9.87% at the calcination temperature of the reaction system was 300 °C and pH was 1.0, corresponding to optimal photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties. The formation of a hydrated layer on the superhydrophilic surface provided resistance to bacterial adhesion, preventing cross-contamination on high-touch surfaces. The excellent photocatalytic self-cleaning performance and anti-bacterial adhesion properties can be attributed to synergistic effects associated with the high specific surface area of TiO2 nanoparticles, the mesoporous structure, and the presence of Ti3+ and OVs. The formation of superhydrophilic self-cleaning surfaces under visible light can serve as the basis for the development of a new class of anti-bacterial adhesion materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO/Ag and ZnO/Ag2O nanocomposites were produced using ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via a starch-mediated sol–gel method. XRD and Rietveld refinement confirmed the wurtzite-like structure of spherical 16-nm ZnO nanocrystals. These nanocrystals were further decorated with cubic nearly spherical ~ 7-nm Ag and irregular ~ 6-nm Ag2O nanocrystals, resulting in nanocomposites with distinct structural characteristics. The morphological analysis confirmed the distinct shapes and sizes of Ag, Ag2O, and ZnO nanoparticles. The nanocomposites exhibited a tuned optical bandgap and structural defects like V Zn , VO, and V O + . In vitro biological tests revealed that the Ag2O/ZnO nanocomposite displayed significantly enhanced antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. These enhanced biological properties were attributed in part to the unique morphology of Ag2O nanoparticles and the defective nature of ZnO/Ag2O nanocomposite. These results demonstrate that the green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles decorated with Ag2O emerge as a promising material for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fallen yellowish bamboo leaves around bamboo crops are always overlooked even though they contain high silica in their ash. Bamboo leaf valorization consequently has the potential to be a green process for synthesizing amorphous silica. Unfortunately, the optimum process parameters have not been widely disclosed. Hence, this study intends to optimize the synthesis of amorphous bio‐silica nanoparticles from bamboo leaves using Box–Behnken design (BBD). Bamboo leaves were initially washed with HCl, followed by combustion at 700°C, and then ash washing, extraction of silica with NaOH (sol–gel method), gelation, and drying. According to the results, optimum conditions occur under no acid washing of leaves, solvent‐to‐feed ratio = 5 mL/g, and extraction duration = 1.5 h. The optimum conditions give the highest purity (94.1 wt.%) and yield (42.33%) as well as the highest surface area (328.61 m2/g), smallest pore diameter (8.69 nm), and largest pore volume (0.71 cc/g) of bio‐silica nanoparticles. Furthermore, bio‐silica nanoparticles are amorphous, spherical‐shaped aggregates, and have a white powdered colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, MFe2O4 nanoparticles (M = Ca, Mg) are synthesized by sol– gel method using different stabilizer (acetic acid, pectin and β- carrageenan). The stability of the formed gel is studied extensively by determining the affective conditions (type of stabilizer, molar ratio of stabiliser: M(OH)2:Fe(OH)3, time, and temperature) on the preparation process. The most stabilized gel obtained using β-carrageenan for both Ca, Mg with (1.2·10-2:1:2), (1.37·10-2:1:2) molar ratios, respectively, during 72 h at 25°C. The obtained gel is calcinated and analysed using DTA, XRD and IR spectroscopy. The results show that the calcium ferrite is formed at 493.2°C by orthorhombic lattice cell with particle size of 13.01 nm and the magnesium ferrite is formed at 621.4°C by cubic crystal phase with particle size of 15.93 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of lignite into aromatic compounds by highly active catalysts is a key strategy for lignite valorization. In this study, Ni/NiO@NC nanocomposites with a high specific surface area and a vesicular structure were successfully prepared via a facile sol–gel method. The Ni/NiO@NC catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the catalytic hydroconversion (CHC) of benzyloxybenzene (as lignite-related modeling compounds) under mild conditions (120 °C, 1.5 MPa H2, 60 min). The possible mechanism of the catalytic reaction was investigated by analyzing the type and content of CHC reaction products at different temperatures, pressures, and times. More importantly, the magnetic catalyst could be conveniently separated by a magnet after the reaction, and it maintained high catalytic efficiency after six reuses. This study provides an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the cleavage of >CH–O bonds in lignite, thereby offering another way for improved utilization of lignite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, porous amorphous aluminosilicates nanoparticles (PAS NPs) have been synthesized by the sol-gel method. The crystals particle sizes of PAS NPs were about 90 nm by SEM. Carbon paste modified PAS NPs/Cu (CPE/PAS NPs/Cu) was placed into a potassium hexacyanoferrate solution by continuous cycling of the potential for deposition of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) at the surface of CPE/PAS NPs/Cu. The cyclic voltammograms of CPE/PAS NPs/CuHCF show two pairs (Fe(CN)63−/Fe(CN)64− and Cu2+/Cu+) of redox couples due to the system. The total surface coverage of immobilized CuHCF was calculated at about 1.65 × 10−7 mol cm−2. Finally, this modified electrode responded to the different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The linear range and limit of detection (LOD) were 0.8–1.8 × 102 μmol L−1 and 0.65 μmol L−1, respectively. The fabrication of this electrode is easy and it is simple and low-cost. The stability, reproducibility, and repeatability of this modified electrode are acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver bismuth sulphide is a ternary material that has attracted attention due to its good properties and several applications. Here, the detailed methods of synthesizing silver bismuth sulphide including successive ionic layer and reaction, Bridgman, microwave, mechanical milling, pyrolysis, deposition, sol–gel and chemical methods are discussed. To understand the properties of the silver bismuth sulphide, characterization tools are required, some of these tools are highlighted. Its photocatalytic, sensing, photovoltaic, photothermal, hydrogen generation, usage in the treatment of cancer and other medical applications are also comprehensively reviewed. Lastly, future perspectives on the synthesis and applications of silver bismuth sulphide are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, MgCuAl2O5 heterogeneous nanocatalysts were prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method, which displayed great yield and suitable activity for the preparation of 1,4-DHP derivatives with high efficiency in green solvent ethanol/water (1:1) at 80 °C under one pot condition. The synthesis materials were separated in short reaction times with excellent yield (80-95) %. Moreover, the synthesized nanocatalyst was easily retrieved and continuously reused for six reactions without a noticeable significant loss of proficiency. The solid catalyst was confirmed by XRD, BET, FTIR, FESEM and EDX, and the substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines were characterized by melting point, 1H and 13C NMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work shows experimental results on the catalytic oxidation of C3H8 and CO by Pd nanoparticles supported on MnOx/TiO2 synthesized by the sol–gel method. The results show a strong interaction between Pd and MnOx/TiO2; likewise, the annealing temperature of the TiO2 support modified the catalytic properties of the Pd–MnOx/TiO2 catalyst. In this line, the catalysts with 1 and 2 wt% of Pd loading supported on MnOx/TiO2 showed outstanding catalytic activity oxidizing C3H8 and CO within two temperature intervals: 200–400 °C and 25–200 °C, respectively. The Pd–MnOx/TiO2 catalyst also displayed very high stability during long-term tests and the addition of Pd nanoparticles reduced greatly the oxidation temperature of MnOx/TiO2. The outcomes revealed that the Pd–Mn interaction promoted the formation of new Pd0/Pd2+ active sites as well as the formation of oxygen vacancies and reduced Ti4+ to Ti3+ species, which led to the improvement of the Mn3+ and Mn4+ redox features, thus boosting the catalytic oxidation capacity of the Pd–MnOx/TiO2 catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sol gel auto-combustion was used to create gadolinium doped nickel ferrite nano-particles, which have chemical composition NiFe2-xGdxO4 (x = 0.00, 0.010, 0.15, 0.20 & 0.25). The investigation focused on how the composition of Gd+3 affected the magnetic properties and structural parameters. Magnetic properties were investigated using VSM technique, structural properties were determined using XRD and SEM techniques. XRD graphs verified the establishment of the spinel ferrite phase. With an increase in Gd composition, the crystallite size and lattice parameter increased from 21.0288 to 27.04125 nm and 8.3325 to 8.3367Å, respectively. It was also evident how the composition of Gd+3 affected the estimation of bond-angles and lengths in tetrahedral and octahedral structures. SEM micrographs showed that all of the grains had a small amount of agglomeration and that all of the synthesized compositions were homogenous. The range of 140.5--176.2 nm was found to be the average grain size. Using VSM at 300K, magnetic parameters like coercivity, residual magnetization, and saturation magnetization were computed. Until the composition was 0.20, the saturation magnetization and residual magnetization dropped from 30.28 emu/g to 15.35 emu/g and 5.07 emu/g to 3.65 emu/g, respectively. After that, they increased to 34.40 emu/g and 6.52 emu/g, respectively. Until composition 0.20, coercivity was raised from 154 to 261 Oe; after that, it was lowered to 233 Oe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of hBN nanoparticles in improving the response times of PEO-based electrochromic devices. The study focuses on creating cost-effective ECDs using a sol-gel spin coating method. The addition of hBN nanoparticles was found to enhance the bleaching and coloring times of the devices. The article also discusses the fabrication process and performance of all solid-state ECDs using polymer electrolytes and WO3 cathode layers, which were characterized using various techniques. Overall, the study aims to develop efficient and affordable ECDs for electrochromic applications. [Extracted from the article]

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are under consideration for their use as bioimaging probes with enhanced optical performance for real time follow-up under non-invasive conditions. Photostable and core-shell NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+-SiO2 UCNPs obtained by a novel and simple co-precipitation method from lanthanide nitrates or oxides were herein synthesized for the first time. The sol–gel Stöber method followed by oven or supercritical gel drying was used to confer biocompatible surface properties to UCNPs by the formation of an ultrathin silica coating. Upconversion (UC) spectra were studied to evaluate the fluorescence of UCNPs upon red/near infrared (NIR) irradiation. ζ-potential measurements, TEM analyses, XRD patterns and long-term physicochemical stability were also assessed and confirmed that the UCNPs co-precipitation synthesis is a shape- and phase-controlling approach. The bio- and hemocompatibility of the UCNPs formulation with the highest fluorescence intensity was evaluated with murine fibroblasts and human blood, respectively, and provided excellent results that endorse the efficacy of the silica gel coating. The herein synthesized UCNPs can be regarded as efficient fluorescent probes for bioimaging purposes with the high luminescence, physicochemical stability and biocompatibility required for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the sol-gel method was used to synthesize powders of LaMnO3 (LMO), La0.85Ca0.15MnO3 (LCM), and La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 (LSM). The effect of substituting Ca and Sr at the A-site on the perovskite crystal structure and electrochemical capabilities of LMO was investigated. LCM retained its orthogonal structure in comparison to the parent LMO components, whereas LSM transitioned to a rhombic structure. At 0.5 A/g, the specific capacitance of LCM and LSM electrodes is 185.5 F/g and 248 F/g, respectively. The specific capacitance of LCM was three times greater than that of the LMO electrode. Among the three samples (LMO, 22.25 m2 g−1; LSM, 31.56 m2 g−1), the LCM sample exhibited the highest specific surface area of 38.79 m2 g−1. The charge transfer resistances of the LMO, LCM, and LSM are 0.48 Ω, 0.36 Ω, and 0.38 Ω, respectively. The LCM electrode exhibits the greatest capacitance performance due to its more refined morphology, increased concentration of oxygen vacancy, and more complete utilization of the perovskite bulk structure. The above results demonstrate that Ca or Sr substitution of A-site compounds has great potential for supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene editing has many promising applications for the treatment of diseases with unmet clinical needs, including cancers and autoimmune. There are two main routes for gene delivery: viral and non-viral. Recent research shows viral methods are emerging in clinical trials. Nevertheless, there are still a couple of technological obstacles that require further improvements, these include virus concentration and low efficiency of transduction. This research aimed to employ superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) to solve these problems. Three sizes of 10, 40, and 120 nm SPION were synthesized by co-precipitation and Sol-Gel methods, and characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and VSM. Conjugating SPION to viruses by polyethylene glycol (PEG) can increase the sedimentation of viruses due to magnetic and gravity forces even without ultracentrifuge. Moreover, this magnetic force can guide viruses toward cells and tremendously facilitate the transduction process. As shown, average size SPION (40 nm) revealed the best performance, especially in combination with salting-out precipitation and increased transduction efficiency of more than 20-fold. SPION size has significant effects and should be considered for this application. The combination of the salting-out method and SPION has a synergic effect and elevates transduction results tremendously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report the first attempt to investigate the dependence of thioacetamide (TAA) on the size of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in forming ZnS nanostructures from ZnO. Size-controlled B(blue)_, G(green)_, and Y(yellow)_ZnO quantum dots (QDs) and NC (nanocrystalline)_ZnO NPs were synthesized using a sol–gel process and a hydrothermal method, respectively, and then reacted with an ethanolic TAA solution as a sulfur source. ZnO QDs/NPs began to decompose into ZnS QDs through a reaction with TAA for 5~10 min, so rather than forming a composite of ZnO/ZnS, ZnO QDs and ZnS QDs were separated and remained in a mixed state. At last, ZnO QDs/NPs were completely decomposed into ZnS QDs after a reaction with TAA for 1 h irrespective of the size of ZnO QDs up to ~50 nm. All results indicate that ZnS formation is due to direct crystal growth and/or the chemical conversion of ZnO to ZnS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resin coating often exhibits good anticorrosive properties. The present study evaluates the corrosion of aluminum coupons using bacterial and fungal isolates and the synthesis of aluminum nanoparticles using sol–gel method for anticorrosion assay of coupons. Isolates were collected from the sewage area, VIT, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Surface or topological analyses were performed using SEM and AFM analytical methods. The weight loss results revealed that a higher corrosion rate was observed in bacterial treated (0.032 ± 0.1 mm/y) compared with that of fungal-treated (0.026 ± 0.01 mm/y) at the end of the exposure period of 336 h. This is because microbial colonies boost corrosion rates locally by establishing a corrosive environment. Corrosion rate of bacterial treated aluminum coupon was found to be 0.051 mm/year, and fungal-treated metal was found to be 0.041 mm/year. Nanoparticles synthesized showed good anticorrosion property due to their larger surface area and growth inhibition property. Scanning electron microscopic images of epoxy nanoparticle coated workpiece exhibited no pitting showing good anticorrosive nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]