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Introduction: The potential of zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (Fe2O 3) nanoparticles (NPs) to induce toxic effects, especially genotoxicity, has been demonstrated in previous studies and is in part related to the ability of NPs to produce ROS. The use of antioxidants is an effective method to reduce NP-induced genotoxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the protective role of vitamin C as a potent antioxidant in ZnO-and Fe2O3 NP-induced genotoxicity in the HGF-1 cell line. Methods: Different concentrations of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs (50 μ g, 100 μ g, and 150 μ g/mL) were used to achieve the best concentration for further evaluation. HGF-1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of vitamin C 24 h before the NPs. The cells were then exposed to ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs at a concentration of 100 μ g/mL for 1 h. The possible genoprotective effects of vitamin C were determined using a comet assay. Results: The results of this study showed that all concentrations of vitamin C could reduce the DNA damage induced by ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs. Discussion: In conclusion, vitamin C could be considered a potent genoprotective agent against ZnO- and Fe2O3 NP-induced genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study illustrates the impact of different polymer types on the characteristics of Fe2O3. The manufacture of nanocomposites involved the use of polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymers. Nanocomposites were synthesised by combining an aqueous solution of Ferric chloride with various polymers. The Fe2O3 nanocomposite, which was polymer-based, was synthesised using an in situ chemical approach to investigate the impact of different polymer types on its primary physical characteristics. The configuration of polymer-based Fe2O3 nanocomposites was investigated using diagnostic instruments such as SEM, EDX, and XRD. The modification of the polymer had a clearly noticeable and apparent effect on the optical and structural properties of the nanocomposites. The utilisation of SEM, XRD, and EDX techniques provided confirmation of the successful synthesis of nanocomposites based on Fe2O3. The UV–visible spectra were examined to investigate the optical characteristics of the fabricated samples. The bandgaps of the nanocomposites ranged from 1.9 to 2.25 eV. The Urbach energy was also determined for all of the processed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative degradation of chloramphenicol (CAP) using a hybrid approach (US/HA+/n-Fe2O3/SPC) involving sodium percarbonate (SPC; "solid H2O2" carrier), Fe2O3 nanoparticles (n-Fe2O3; H2O2 decomposition catalyst), hydroxylamine in its protonated form (HA+; Fe (III) to Fe (II) reducer), and ultrasonic cavitation (to increase the generation of hydroxyl radicals) has been studied for the first time. The average size of n-Fe2O3 synthesized by the sonochemical method, as calculated according to the Debye–Scherrer equation, was ~ 18 nm. The maximum degradation degree of CAP (83.1%) and first-order oxidative degradation rate constant of CAP as 1.253 × 10–3 s−1 were achieved using the modified sono-Fenton process under the optimized conditions as the initial concentration of CAP – 50 mg/L, the molar ratio of CAP:HA+:n-Fe2O3:SPC of 1:100:100:100, pH as 3, the temperature as 318 K, the specific ultrasonic power as 53.3 W/L, and the treatment duration of 7200 s. In general, the efficiency and intensity of CAP degradation increased with a decrease in the pH value, an increase in the molar ratio of CAP:HA+:n-Fe2O3:SPC, a decrease in the initial concentration of CAP, an increase in temperature, and showed a minor change with the specific power of US. The synergistic coefficient for the combination of the US and the heterogeneous Fenton process was 17.9. The active participation of hydroxyl radicals in the oxidative degradation of CAP using the modified sono-Fenton process was confirmed by scavenging experiments performed using tert-butyl alcohol. The proposed process can be a promising direction in the remediation of pharmaceutical effluents with significant potential for commercial exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the enhancement of magnetic properties in Fe2O3 nanoparticles through nanostructural modification via carbon coating is investigated. Fe2O3 and carbon‐coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles are synthesized using the solvothermal method. Structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties are comprehensively analyzed. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in particle size upon carbon coating, effectively mitigating agglomeration. Furthermore, carbon‐coated nanoparticles exhibit substantial enhancement in coercivity, remanence, and saturation magnetization suggesting improved magnetic behavior in comparison to their uncoated counterparts. This enhancement is attributed to the prevention of spin misalignment at the nanoparticle surface by the carbon coating, as well as the formation of distinct magnetic domains due to the reduced particle size. The observed improvements underscore the effectiveness of carbon coating in tailoring the magnetic properties of Fe2O3 nanoparticles for applications in magnetic devices and biomedical systems, such as magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery systems, where precise control over magnetic behavior is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile approach was employed to fabricate MIL-100(Fe) materials from Fe2O3 nanoparticles through a conventional hydrothermal reaction without the presence of HF and HNO3. Effects of trimesic acid content in the reaction system on the quality and CO2/N2 separation performance of the as-prepared MIL-100(Fe) samples were investigated. Using 1.80 g of trimesic acid in the reaction system yielded the sample M-100Fe@Fe2O3#1.80, which proved to be the optimal sample. This choice struck a balance between the amount of required trimesic acid and the quality of the resulting material, resulting in a high yield of 81% and an impressive BET surface area of 1365.4 m2·g−1. At 25 °C and 1 bar, M-100Fe@Fe2O3#1.80 showed a CO2 adsorption capacity of 1.10 mmol·g−1 and an IAST-predicted CO2/N2 selectivity of 18, outperforming conventional adsorbents in CO2/N2 separation. Importantly, this route opens a new approach to utilizing Fe2O3-based waste materials from the iron and steel industry in manufacturing Fe-based MIL-100 materials.

As the global climate environment continues to change, the frequency of extreme temperature events is expected to increase. The temperature stress environments of low and high temperatures can directly or indirectly affect the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.), affecting its normal metabolism, which in turn can have an impact on yields and threaten global food security. Agriculture needs new technologies to mitigate temperature stress and improve grain yield and quality. In this study, two iron (Fe)-based nanoparticles (NPs), Fe2O3 NPs and Fe3O4 NPs, as well as groups of Fe ions corresponding to the Fe concentration, were selected for hydroponic experiments on rice under normal (25°C), low (20°C), and high (38°C) temperature conditions, respectively. It was found that low and high temperature stresses reduced stem length (3 and 7.02%), root length (49.53 and 26.01%), and aboveground (52.49 and 26.04%) and belowground biomass (53.94 and 35.22%) in rice. Both Fe2O3 NPs and Fe3O4 NPs could promote root development by nutrient uptake, transferring to the aboveground to enhance photosynthesis, and promoting the activity of antioxidant enzymes to eliminate oxidative stress to alleviate the stress of low and high temperatures. The Fe3O4 NPs were more stable and had obvious effects at both high and low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of recycled iron in durable concrete production has gained attention for enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency. Simultaneously, incorporating nanoparticles as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) offers significant benefits. Introducing nano-sized iron particles (Fe2O3) into the cement paste results in a compact microstructure, improving strength, and durability. In this study, we investigate the bending behavior of concrete slabs reinforced with Fe2O3 nanoparticles using the non-local quasi-3D shear deformation theory based on Eringen's non-local differential constitutive relations. To characterize the elastic material properties of the nanocomposite, we employ Eshelby's homogenization model. In order to extend the applicability of our findings, we assume that the concrete plate rests on Kerr's foundation, which includes a shear layer connected to upper and lower springs. By deriving the equations of motion using the principle of virtual work, we establish a comprehensive framework for analyzing the bending of the concrete plate. To solve the equilibrium equations for a simply supported concrete plate, we present Navier's analytical solutions. Our investigation considers various influential parameters, such as the concentration of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the concrete matrix, the elastic constants of the soil medium, different types of bending loads, and size-dependent nonlocal parameters. One of the most captivating findings of this study is that the incorporation of 30 wt% of iron nanoparticles in concrete leads to a remarkable improvement of 60% in the elastic properties of the material. Additionally, this same amount of iron nanoparticles has shown the potential to reduce the deflection of thin plates by over 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the disadvantages of using Fe2O3 nanoparticles in electrocatalytic processes, in this work, a series of Fe2O3/CuO hybrid nanostructures with different molar ratios of Fe3+ to Cu2+ ions were produced, and their structure was investigated using various methods. Then, the synthesized nanomaterials were used as electrode materials and heterogeneous catalysts for electrochemical detection of glucose in alkaline solution. The results showed that the electrode containing pure Fe2O3 shows no significant activity for glucose oxidation. Since Fe(III) oxide contains active electrocatalytic positions, this performance can be due to poor electrical conductivity. Investigations showed that when Fe2O3 and CuO nanoparticles are combined, the activity against glucose is improved by reducing the band gap and increasing the electrical conductivity. It was found that the ability of nanocomposites to recognize glucose depends on the molar ratios of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions present in the structure, and the highest electrocatalytic performance is observed when the molar ratio of metal ions is equal. Fe2O3/CuO (0.5:0.5) nanocomposite shows the best activity for glucose oxidation in terms of high sensitivity, low detection limit, and wide linear range due to its low Tafel slope, low charge transfer resistance, high electrochemically active surface area, low band gap, and high electrical conductivity. In addition, this compound shows high stability, selectivity, and applicability for blood glucose detection with a reasonable recovery rate. In conclusion, the synergistic effects between Fe2O3 and CuO increase the number and activity of catalytic sites and rapid charge transfer on the electrode surface and promote the electrocatalytic activity towards glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of seed germination by using nanoparticles (NPs) holds the potential to elicit the synthesis of more desired compounds with important biomedical applications, such as preventing protein glycation, which occurs in diabetes. Here, we used 7 nm and 100 nm ZnO and 4.5 nm and 16.7 nm Fe2O3 NPs to treat sunflower seeds. We evaluated the effects on germination, total phenolic content, and the anti-glycation potential of extracted polyphenols. Sunflower seeds were allowed to germinate in vitro after soaking in NP solutions of different concentrations. Polyphenols were extracted, dosed, and used in serum albumin glycation experiments. The germination speed of seeds was significantly increased by the 100 nm ZnO NPs and significantly decreased by the 4.5 nm Fe2O3 NPs. The total phenolic content (TPC) of seeds was influenced by the type of NP, as ZnO NPs enhanced TPC, and the size of the NPs, as smaller NPs led to improved parameters. The polyphenols extracted from seeds inhibited protein glycation, especially those extracted from seeds treated with 7 nm ZnO. The usage of NPs impacted the germination speed and total polyphenol content of sunflower seeds, highlighting the importance of NP type and size in the germination process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present work, Fe2O3 nanoparticles doped with different concentrations of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) (5%, 10%, and 20%) were synthesized by the modified co-precipitation method, and samples were calcined at 600 oC for a fixed duration 2 hours. The calcined samples were examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and results reveal that rhombohedral crystalline structures were confirmed for all calcined samples and the crystallite size of the particle increased from 42.2 nm to 60.5 nm i.e. crystallite size increases with increase of in dopant concentration alumina in Fe2Al2O6-δ samples. The infrared spectroscopic results reveal that, as usual, peaks of hydroxyl group vibrations were found in band formation at about 3000 cm-1, 1650 cm-1 and the sharp peaks at 610, 614, and 617 cm-1 were attributed to O-Fe-O molecules vibrations whereas, 533 cm-1 were attributed by O-Al-O molecules vibrations. The optical band gap was calculated via tauc plot and calculated values show an inverse trend of 2.19 to 2.15 eV with an increase in dopant concentration alumina. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to analyze the magnetic characteristics of calcined samples and the results reveal that saturation magnetization is highest for dopant alumina 10% concentration (Ms = 50.6×10-2 emu/g) and coercivity is highest for dopant alumina 5% concentration (Hc = 875.38Oe) respectively among all the calcined samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread application of conventional chemical fertilizers has led to various environmental issues, including reduced food quality, soil degradation, and harm to beneficial soil organisms. Conversely, the use of Nano-fertilizers holds promise as a potential solution to address these challenges. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing small quantities of Nano-fertilizers in conjunction with conventional NPK fertilizers to reduce the overall volume of traditional fertilizers when cultivating spinach plants. Moreover, the performance of micro Nano fertilizers (Fe, Zn) with spinach plants was assessed in comparison to the performance of chelated fertilizers. A split-plot experimental design was utilized, consisting of twenty treatments with three replicates, which were the simple possible combination between four NPK additions as main plots and five foliar applications of Fe and Zn as sub main factor. Main factor treatments were T1: 100% recommended dose of NPK as traditional bulk form,T2: 75% recommended dose of NPK as traditional bulk form + 15% recommended dose of NPK as Nano form,T3: 50% recommended dose of NPK as traditional bulk form + 15% recommended dose of NPK as Nano form andT4: 25% recommended dose of NPK as Nano form. While, the sub main factor treatments were F1: Control (without foliar),F2: Fe- Nano (10mg L-1, Fe2O3 Nanoparticles), F3: Zn- Nano (10mg L-1, ZnO Nanoparticles), F4: Fe- EDTA (100mg L-1 using Fe -EDTA 6% Fe) and F5: Zn- EDTA (100mg L-1 using Zn -EDTA 6%Zn). The T2 treatment emerged as the most effective in achieving the highest values for all the all the measured parameters such as plant height (cm), fresh and dry weights (g plant-1), leaf area (cm2 plant-1) and yield (ton ha-1) of spinach plants at the harvest stage. It was followed closely by the T3 treatment . In contrast, the T1 treatment ranked third after both T3 and T2. Lastly, the T4 treatment was found to have the least impact on these growth parameters and yield. Fe treatments exhibited greater effectiveness when compared to the Zn treatments. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that the Nano form exhibited greater effectiveness when compared to the chelated form in the context of both Fe and Zn treatments. Generally, it can be noticed that the F2 treatment was the superior for obtaining the maximum values for the most of studied traits. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers and agricultural practitioners consider adopting this approach to optimize crop performance while minimizing the environmental impact of conventional chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of organic dyes poses a significant challenge in achieving sustainable environmental solutions, given their extensive usage across various industries. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles are studied as a reliable technique for remediating dye degradation. The objective of this research is to improve methods of nanomaterial-based environmental remediation. The solvothermal technique is used to synthesize carbon-modified Fe2O3 nanoparticles that exhibit the capability to modify their size morphology and increase reactivity, and stability for MO photodegradation. Their inherent qualities render them highly advantageous for biomedical applications, energy storage, environmental remediation, and catalysis. The mean crystallite size of the modified Fe2O3 nanoparticles is approximately 20 nm. These photocatalysts are tested for their ability to degrade methyl orange (MO) under Visible light radiation and in presence of hydrogen peroxide reagent. The optimal degradation efficiency (97%) is achieved with Fe2O3@C in the presence of H2O2 by meticulously controlling the pH, irradiation time, and photocatalyst dosage. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Fe2O3@C nanoparticles, compared to pure Fe2O3, is attributed to the conductive carbon layer, which significantly reduces electron-hole recombination rates. To summarize, Fe2O3@C nanoparticles not only offer a promising technique for the degradation of MO dye pollutants but also have an advantage for environmental remediation due to their increased stability and reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Fe-oxide-based NPs (Fe2O3 NPs) were prepared via precipitation strategy, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photo-reduction spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV). The characterization data indicated that prepared Fe-based NPs possessed α-Fe2O3 phase with 50-60 nm diameter. Next, the CV technique was employed to test the ability of the prepared Fe2O3 NPs toward electrochemical oxidation of salicylaldehyde at a glassy carbon electrode (3 mm diameter) in an alkaline electrolyte. The results demonstrated that the electrochemical oxidation of salicylaldehyde followed first-order kinetics with a hydroxyl-radical aided process, requiring 18.4 kJ/mol activation energy at ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to improve the mechanical and radiation shielding capabilities of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by incorporating a (Bi2O3:Fe2O3) nanoparticulate composite. Doping levels were systematically varied at weight percentages of 0.5%, 1%, 3%, and 5%. Comprehensive analyses, including tensile strength, strain, hardness, structural, and morphological evaluations, were conducted. The structural transformation of PMMA was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, revealing a cubic phase post-doping. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images elucidated a range of crystalline sizes upon nanoparticle integration. Mechanical property assessments indicated a significant enhancement in tensile strength, which escalated from 5.45 MPa in the undoped matrix to 14.85 MPa at the highest doping concentration. However, the distribution of stress within the PMMA:(Bi2O3:Fe2O3) composites was observed to be non-uniform. Furthermore, the impact strength demonstrated a marked increase in the specimens containing 0.5% and 1% wt. of (Bi2O3:Fe2O3), suggesting an optimal doping threshold for impact resistance. Shore D hardness measurements also reflected this trend of improvement, with values rising from 71.6 in the pure PMMA to 89 in the composites as the doping ratio increased. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of (Bi2O3:Fe2O3) nanoparticles to fortify PMMA matrices, offering promising avenues for the development of advanced materials with tailored properties for protective applications against ionizing radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports two different strategies for the formation of hybrid microbeads using chitosan and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as based biodegradable materials for radiation shielding. An organic–inorganic hydrogel was prepared by ionotropic gelation. During the in-situ loading, incorporating magnetic nanoparticles Fe2O3 into the polymer matrix, magnetic nanostructures, were entrapped in the polymer matrix during the physical cross-linking of the polymer with the physical cross-linker (sodium triphosphate). However, in case of post-loading mechanism the loaded nanoparticles favor the precipitation on the surface of the formed beads. We use different characterization techniques for our systems such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray, infrared spectroscopy (XRD), and X-ray radiation shielding application. The results demonstrate that by incorporating nanostructured magnetic particles into the polymer matrix, the surface morphology based on the two processes allow the magnetic nanoparticles to be embedded or form an outer shell and precipitated on the surface of polymer microbeads. The values of μ for the hydrogels loaded with Fe2O3 by in-situ process have the larger values of the linear coefficient however, in case of post-loading process the values dramatically decrease in compare with the in-situ ones at the same tube voltage. The presented work recommended as a good mentor for radiation shielding.

The enhancement of seed germination by using nanoparticles (NPs) holds the potential to elicit the synthesis of more desired compounds with important biomedical applications, such as preventing protein glycation, which occurs in diabetes. Here, we used 7 nm and 100 nm ZnO and 4.5 nm and 16.7 nm Fe2O3 NPs to treat sunflower seeds. We evaluated the effects on germination, total phenolic content, and the anti-glycation potential of extracted polyphenols. Sunflower seeds were allowed to germinate in vitro after soaking in NP solutions of different concentrations. Polyphenols were extracted, dosed, and used in serum albumin glycation experiments. The germination speed of seeds was significantly increased by the 100 nm ZnO NPs and significantly decreased by the 4.5 nm Fe2O3 NPs. The total phenolic content (TPC) of seeds was influenced by the type of NP, as ZnO NPs enhanced TPC, and the size of the NPs, as smaller NPs led to improved parameters. The polyphenols extracted from seeds inhibited protein glycation, especially those extracted from seeds treated with 7 nm ZnO. The usage of NPs impacted the germination speed and total polyphenol content of sunflower seeds, highlighting the importance of NP type and size in the germination process.

The degradation of organic dyes poses a significant challenge in achieving sustainable environmental solutions, given their extensive usage across various industries. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles are studied as a reliable technique for remediating dye degradation. The objective of this research is to improve methods of nanomaterial-based environmental remediation. The solvothermal technique is used to synthesize carbon-modified Fe2O3 nanoparticles that exhibit the capability to modify their size morphology and increase reactivity, and stability for MO photodegradation. Their inherent qualities render them highly advantageous for biomedical applications, energy storage, environmental remediation, and catalysis. The mean crystallite size of the modified Fe2O3 nanoparticles is approximately 20 nm. These photocatalysts are tested for their ability to degrade methyl orange (MO) under Visible light radiation and in presence of hydrogen peroxide reagent. The optimal degradation efficiency (97%) is achieved with Fe2O3@C in the presence of H2O2 by meticulously controlling the pH, irradiation time, and photocatalyst dosage. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Fe2O3@C nanoparticles, compared to pure Fe2O3, is attributed to the conductive carbon layer, which significantly reduces electron-hole recombination rates. To summarize, Fe2O3@C nanoparticles not only offer a promising technique for the degradation of MO dye pollutants but also have an advantage for environmental remediation due to their increased stability and reactivity.

There are several uses for ultraviolet photodetectors, including in the scientific, military, and industrial sectors. In this sense, UV photodetectors must have high responsiveness, be insensitive to visible light, and be inexpensive to produce. For this purpose, we report the development of Co and Ni based iron oxide nanoparticles via the cost effective low temperature sol–gel auto-combustion process. XRD study approves the cubic crystal structure of iron oxide (Fe2O3) with predominant orientation along (311) direction. A sharp and strong peak is obtained at 583 cm−1 and 594 cm−1 for both samples in FT-IR spectra assigned to metal oxide Fe–O network system which approves the formation of iron oxide. Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals the presence of two A1g and five Eg phonon modes in the case of both samples. Absorption study exhibits the strong absorption peaks for the iron oxide sample doped with cobalt and nickel, while poor absorption was noticed from the pure iron oxide nanoparticles. The large and low energy band gap values are found to be 2.77 eV and 1.68 eV for pure Fe2O3 and cobalt and nickel doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles, respectively. Stone and cloud-like shape morphology was observed from SEM analysis. The EDX spectra reveal the presence of essential elements, like Fe and O in the case of pure iron oxide while Fe, O, Co and Ni in the case of transition metals doped iron oxide nanoparticles. The photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy technique was recorded the luminescent properties which reveals the decrease in PL intensity that confirms the decline in electron–hole recombination. Therefore, I–V characterization analysis reveals that electrical conductivity increases with the addition of metals due to decrease in electron–hole recombination with the co-doping of metals. These modified opto-electronic properties of the developed Fe2O3 by metals co-doping make it suitable candidate for the use in photodetector application.

This study focuses on synthesizing nano-scaled Fe2O3 particles using Araucaria columnaris (Cook's pine) leaf extract under atmosphere circumstances. These extracts serve as both a reductant and a stabilizer. Fe2O3 nanoparticle synthesis was confirmed through a comprehensive characterization process using many analytical techniques. The analysis of XRD patterns indicated that the examined samples consisted of nanoparticles of γ-Fe2O3, exhibiting a cubic crystal structure with a high degree of crystallization. Furthermore, the calculated crystallite size was resolute to be 24.5 nm. The scanning electron microscopy pictures revealed that the created samples exhibited a combination of spherical and polyhedral morphologies. The investigation of optical characteristics, such as light absorption and bandgap width, was conducted using UV–visible spectroscopy, employing a bandgap energy value of 3.78 eV. The study aimed to assess the removal effectiveness of Eosin yellow, Malachite green, Reactive black, and Rhodamine 6G dyes using Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized as a photocatalyst which exhibited remarkable photocatalytic efficacy in the breakdown of dyes when exposed to sunlight, and the reaction period of 90 min resulted in a maximum degradation rate of 97.4 %. Considering the promising results, utilizing Fe2O3 nanoparticles as a photocatalyst for degrading dyes in wastewater is feasible. Additionally, Araucaria columnaris leaf extract can be an environmentally friendly and economically viable method for synthesizing Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) and CuO NPs decorated with hematite (Fe2O3) nanocomposites (CuO@Fe2O3 NC) were biosynthesized by a green method using Portulaca oleracea leaves extract. The NC were characterized using various techniques, including x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the synthesized CuO and CuO@Fe2O3 NC were crystalline with a monoclinic crystal structure and contained functional groups responsible for catalytic activity. The size of the nanocomposites ranged from 39.5 to 45.9 nm, and they exhibited a variety of agglomerated or aggregated shapes. The CuO@Fe2O3 NC showed improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of antibiotics in water and wastewater and promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, indicating its potential for use in disinfection applications. The study investigated the impact of irradiation time on the photocatalytic degradation of Amoxicillin and found that increasing the irradiation time led to a higher degradation rate. The band gap energy (E g) for pure CuO NPs was around 2.4 eV and dropped to 1.6 eV with CuO@Fe2O3 NC. In summary, the CuO@Fe2O3 NC has the potential to be an efficient photocatalyst and promising antiviral agent for environmental remediation. The CuO@Fe2O3 nanocomposites have been found to possess a high degree of efficacy in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. The results of the study indicate that the nanocomposites exhibit potent anti-viral properties and hold significant potential for use in mitigating the spread of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) play a significant role in protecting human and environmental health. Worldwide, research is focused on developing new pharmaceuticals and environmentally safe materials. The current research reports the phytosynthesis of NPs from iron oxide (Fe2O3) mediated through ethanolic extracts of Andrographis serpyllifolia leaf (ASL) and their antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) and mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) larvicidal activity. ASL was treated with aqueous iron chloride solution to turn into synthesized Fe2O3-NPs. The biosynthesized ASL·Fe2O3-NPs were characterized with spectroscopic, electron microscopic and X-ray analyses. The synthesized ASL·Fe2O3-NPs were characteristically showed triclinic crystal shape in SEM. The purity of synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Out of twelve different selective pathogens (4 G+ve bacteria, 4 G-ve bacteria and 4 fungal species) tested with ASL·Fe2O3-NPs, a maximum of 20.3 mm inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus among G+ve bacteria and 19.1 mm inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa among G-ve bacteria was observed; while it was 16.9 mm against fungi (Aspergillus niger) at a test concentration of 100 µL. The exposure of 4th instar larvae for 48 h to ASL·Fe2O3-NPs exhibited a significant LC50 value at 12.80 ppm. The study findings reveal that the Fe2O3-NPs synthesized using A. serpyllifolia leaf extract could be a potential source for antibacterial, antifungal and mosquito larvicidal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different nanoparticles of iron oxides (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 ) were prepared by the hydrothermal method. These nanoparticles were heated at 90°C and at 400°C. The morphology and structures of the heated samples were characterized using different measurements such as FT-IR, UV-visible, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The enzyme activity (nanozymes), mimicking acetylcholine esterase (AChE), was measured. The results showed that the maximum of nanozyme activity as AChE relates to Fe3O4 heated at 90°C, and this activity becomes the lowest, when Fe3O4 is heated at 400°C. While Fe2O3 heated at 90°C showed less activity than the sample heated at 400°C, this may be because both Fe3O4 heated at 90°C and Fe2O3 is heated at 400°C have magnetic properties, and when those properties are lost, the activity decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the waste neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) gained visible attraction for neem leaf–activated carbon (NLAC) preparation in the thermal process by using ammonium carbonate as an activating agent. Using NLAC, a nanocomposite of NLAC/Fe2O3 was synthesized by hydrothermal techniques for Cr(VI) elimination from the aqueous solution. The formation of NLAC/Fe2O3 composite was additionally confirmed by the use of various powerful investigative techniques such as FE-SEM, VSM, TEM, EDX, FT-IR, XRD, and BET. The NLAC/Fe2O3 has a saturation magnetization of 1.18 emu/g and surface area and pore volume of 245.2 m2/g and 0.038 cm3/g, respectively. The composite has crystalline structure and the average particle size of Fe2O3 present on the activated carbon surface was about 14–17 nm. The BBD (Box-Behnken design) model was used for Cr(VI) removal and the obtained R2 and adj-R2 values for the model were very high about 0.9805 and 0.9555. The ANOVA data indicated that the Cr(VI) model was a statistically significant one with the F and p values of 39.17 and 0.0001. About 91.4% of Cr(VI) was removed by NLAC/Fe2O3 composite in the optimized condition of 0.05 g of adsorbent dose, solution pH 3.58, and initial Cr(VI) solution of 10.42 mg/L respectively. The adsorption of Cr(VI) on NLAC/Fe2O3 composite was imitated by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.98), proceeded with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (R2 = 0.99), and the maximum uptake capacity as calculated from the isotherm was 188.71 mg/g. The adsorption process was endothermic and adsorbent can be used for up to four cycles. This study showed that NLAC/Fe2O3 composite could be employed as an effective, affordable cost adsorbent to remove pollutants from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) play a significant role in protecting human and environmental health. Worldwide, research is focused on developing new pharmaceuticals and environmentally safe materials. The current research reports the phytosynthesis of NPs from iron oxide (Fe2O3) mediated through ethanolic extracts of Andrographis serpyllifolia leaf (ASL) and their antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) and mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) larvicidal activity. ASL was treated with aqueous iron chloride solution to turn into synthesized Fe2O3-NPs. The biosynthesized ASL·Fe2O3-NPs were characterized with spectroscopic, electron microscopic and X-ray analyses. The synthesized ASL·Fe2O3-NPs were characteristically showed triclinic crystal shape in SEM. The purity of synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Out of twelve different selective pathogens (4 G+ve bacteria, 4 G-ve bacteria and 4 fungal species) tested with ASL·Fe2O3-NPs, a maximum of 20.3 mm inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus among G+ve bacteria and 19.1 mm inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa among G-ve bacteria was observed; while it was 16.9 mm against fungi (Aspergillus niger) at a test concentration of 100 µL. The exposure of 4th instar larvae for 48 h to ASL·Fe2O3-NPs exhibited a significant LC50 value at 12.80 ppm. The study findings reveal that the Fe2O3‑NPs synthesized using A. serpyllifolia leaf extract could be a potential source for antibacterial, antifungal and mosquito larvicidal activities.

Tribocatalysts possessing advantages of high performance, eco-friendliness, and low cost also without causing secondary pollution are ideally and highly desirable for practical applications but remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate that eco-friendly and low-cost Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit superior tribocatalytic performance through harvesting low-frequency mechanical energy. Rhodamine B (RhB) is completely degraded by Fe2O3 nanoparticles within 15 h under low-frequency magnetic stirring, and the catalytic efficiencies are always maintained above 96% during five consecutive cycles. Systematical experimental explorations indicate that the tribocatalytic performance of Fe2O3 can be improved by increasing the stirring speed and friction area, and the tribocatalytic activity is significantly enhanced under ultrasonic vibration. The friction between Fe2O3 nanoparticles and the magnetic rod and Fe2O3 and the glass cup bottom plays key roles in the degradation of RhB, while the friction between Fe2O3 and water also makes a weak contribution. Catalytic mechanism investigations reveal that the friction-generated positive charges directly decompose dyes, but electrons first react with oxygen to generate superoxide (•O2–) radicals, and then •O2– participates in the degradation of dyes. This work expands the range of tribocatalysts and demonstrates that Fe2O3 is advantageous for its eco-friendliness, low cost, and high performance, which can act as a tribocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation through mechanical friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the microwave attenuation and shielding properties of PTFE/Fe2O3/OPEFB composites in the X-band frequency range. Fe2O3 nanoparticles were incorporated into the PTFE/OPEFB matrix using a powder-dry mixing technique. The composites were characterized using XRD and FESEM, and attenuation performance was evaluated using a VNA. The results indicated that the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles improved microwave attenuation and shielding properties, with the composite containing 15 wt% Fe2O3 exhibiting the highest attenuation of 16.02 dB. The homogeneous dispersion of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was confirmed through FESEM analysis, and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the composites. The study concludes that PTFE/Fe2O3/OPEFB composites have potential for electromagnetic interference shielding applications in aerospace, telecommunications, and electronics industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PEO–PVA–Fe2O3 nanocomposites are prepared from mixing PVA and PEO with different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 wt.%) by using the casting method. The structural and dielectric properties of PEO–PVA–Fe2O3 nanocomposites are studied. Optical microscopy images show that the iron-oxide nanoparticles form a continuous network inside the polymer blend at concentration of 4.5 and 6 wt.%. FTIR spectra show shift in some peak position and change in the intensities of others comparing with PEO–PVA blend. The dielectric properties of nanocomposites demonstrate that the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and A.C. electrical conductivity of PEO–PVA blend increase with increasing of Fe2O3 nanoparticles’ concentration. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of PEO–PVA–Fe2O3 nanocomposites decrease, while the A.C. electrical conductivity increases with increasing frequency. These results indicate that the PEO–PVA–Fe2O3 nanocomposites may be considered as promising materials for electronics and electrical nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the rhombohedral-structured, flower-like iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles that were produced using a cost-effective and environmentally friendly coprecipitation process. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and HR-TEM techniques. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on MCF-7 and HEK-293 cells were evaluated using in vitro cell viability assays, while the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) was also tested. The results of our study demonstrated the potential cytotoxic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles toward MCF-7 and HEK-293 cell lines. The antioxidant potential of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was evidenced by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging assays. In addition, we suggested that Fe2O3 nanoparticles could be used in various antibacterial applications to prevent the spread of different bacterial strains. Based on these findings, we concluded that Fe2O3 nanoparticles have great potential for use in pharmaceutical and biological applications. The effective biocatalytic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles recommends its use as one of the best drug treatments for future views against cancer cells, and it is, therefore, recommended for both in vitro and in vivo in the biomedical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe2O3 nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) are one of the components of food additives numbered E172 and have been widely used as food pigments to color sweets. Although a large number of studies have reported that Fe2O3 NPs could induce hepatotoxicity, the pathogenesis is still unclear, especially the subacute effects on the metabolic network after oral exposure. Therefore, it is necessary to define a highly sensitive strategy to investigate the potential effects of Fe2O3 NPs and the mechanism. In this study, an animal experiment showed that Fe2O3 NPs had no obvious toxic effects on body weight, histopathology and oxide stress. In order to further investigate the potential effects of Fe2O3 NPs in vivo, a more sensitive LC–MS/MS‐based lipidomic study was performed. The results of multivariate statistical analysis and western blot analysis showed that Fe2O3 NP exposure significantly affects the hepatic glycerophospholipid metabolism, decreasing triacylglycerol, diglyceride, lysophosphatidylethanolamine and free fatty acids, and increasing phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylinositol and coenzyme Q9. These data provide further insight into the hepatic subacute effects of Fe2O3 NPs obtained by conventional toxicology methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chitosan-blended composites were synthesised from chitosan, kenaf fibre and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The chitosan-blended composites were used for the adsorption of chromium (VI) and sulphates from a potassium dichromate solution and an acid mine drainage (AMD) sample obtained from the CSIR, South Africa. Three chitosan-blended composites were synthesised namely CF(30) (Chitosan 70 and 30% kenaf fibre); CN20 (Chitosan 80 and 20% Fe2O3 nanoparticles) and CF(20)N(20) (Chitosan 60%, kenaf fibre 20% and 20% Fe2O3 nanoparticles). The adsorption of chromium (VI) on these three chitosan composites was compared with the adsorption on unmodified chitosan. The microstructure of chitosan and chitosan-blended composites was evaluated by SEM–EDS, XRD, FTIR and TGA. Batch experiments were carried out by varying the pH, temperature, adsorbent loading and contact time in order to optimise the conditions. The removal of chromium (VI) from the potassium dichromate solution was found to be optimal at 40 °C at a pH 2 when 1 g adsorbent was used. The composite CF(30) had the highest chromate ion ( Cr 2 O 7 2 - ) removal of ~ 70% at optimal conditions compared to the other prepared composites. The unmodified chitosan had a maximum chromate ion ( Cr 2 O 7 2 - ) removal of ~ 46% at optimal conditions. The unmodified chitosan and chitosan composites showed to follow a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, whereby adsorption of chromate ions was through chemisorption. The unmodified chitosan was found to remove ~ 98% of the chromium (VI) and ~ 70% sulphates, while the composite CF(20)N(20) had the highest removal compared to other chitosan-blended composites, with a removal of ~ 97% chromium (VI) and ~ 67% sulphate on AMD solution . Adsorption of chromium (VI) from AMD proved to be efficient since it is difficult to adsorb chromium (VI) at such a low concentration of 78 μg/L especially when sulphate concentration is at 21.82 g/L, whereby the adsorbent would had high affinity to adsorb sulphates instead of chromium (VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin sheets of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), both in pristine form and containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations, were prepared. The CNT and Fe2O3 NP weight percentages used ranged from 0.01% to 1%. The presence of CNTs and Fe2O3 NPs in UHMWPE was confirmed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDS). The effects of the embedded nanostructures on the UHMWPE samples were studied using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The ATR-FTIR spectra show the characteristic features of the UHMWPE, CNTs, and Fe2O3. Concerning the optical properties, regardless of the type of embedded nanostructures, an increase in the optical absorption was observed. The allowed direct optical energy gap value was determined from the optical absorption spectra: in both cases, it decreases with increasing CNT or Fe2O3 NP concentrations. The obtained results will be presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient biohybrid photocatalysts were prepared with different weight ratios of Fe2O3 and treated rape pollen (TRP). The synthesized samples were characterized by different analytical techniques. The results showed that carbonized rape pollen had a three-dimensional skeleton and granular Fe2O3 uniformly covered the surface of TRP. The Fe2O3/TRP samples were used for degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Escherichia Coli (E. coli) disinfection in water under visible light. The degradation of MB and inactivation of E. coli was achieved to 93.7% in 300 min and 99.14% in 100 min, respectively. We also explored the mechanism during the reaction process, where reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals play a major role throughout the reaction process. This work provides new ideas for the preparation of high-performance photocatalysts by combining semiconductors with earth-abundant biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing application of nanotechnology has led to the release of nanoparticles in aquatic ecosystems. Thus, investigating the effect of nanoparticles on microalgae, as the primary producers of the food chain, is an important issue. The present study was conducted to examine the toxicity mechanisms of α- Fe2O3 nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) dominated by oxidative stress in Nannochloropsis oculata. The accumulation of Fe2O3-NPs on the cell surface of N. oculata and in f2 medium was observed in SEM images and DLS analysis, respectively. EDX graph and TEM images also showed the presence of NPs in N. oculata. There was an increase of H2O2 and MDA content and growth inhibition was also elevated in N. oculata exposed to Fe2O3-NPs. Further, Fe2O3-NPs application caused a noticeable enhancement of non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, phenolic compounds and PUFAs) and APX activity, while the content of SFAs and MUFAs as well as the activity of CAT and PPO were reduced as a result of Fe2O3-NPs stress. Overall, the activation of defence mechanisms was not effective in N. oculata and treatment with concentrations of more than 50 mg l−1 Fe2O3-NPs could induce oxidative stress in this microalga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and eco-friendly nano Fe2O3 heterogeneous catalytic system is described for the synthesis of acyl thiourea derivatives from corresponding in situ generated acyl isothiocyanates and amino acid esters in acetone obtained in good yields. The structures of synthesized acyl thioureas were confimed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass, and FTIR analysis. Fe2O3 NPs has been prepared via a solution combustion route using ascorbic acid as the reducing agent and ferric nitrate as the source of iron. The prepared nano material has been characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-Visible, and FTIR analysis. More prominently, the Fe2O3 and other impurities are removed though a simple work-up and the material prepared shows to be effective in catalyzing the conversion of reactants to products in good yields. Further, some of the synthesized acyl thioureas were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Fe 2 O 3 /carbon composites have received widespread attention as a potential anode material for lithium/sodium ion battery owing to its rich reserves, wide distribution, and environmental friendliness. However, studies on potassium-ion battery (PIB) have rarely been reported. Besides, majority carbon-based matrices are mainly focused on the utilization of synthetic carbons, which have a high cost and complicated synthesis process. In contrast, biomass-based carbon is inexpensive, environment-friendly, and abundant in terms of its precursor resources, making it a promising matrix. In this work, the dispersal of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on a N-doped pinecone-based porous carbon matrix (Fe 2 O 3 /NPC) was proposed as a simple and effective approach for improving the electrochemical performance of the Fe 2 O 3 anode in potassium-ion battery. Fe 2 O 3 /NPC was prepared using a hydrothermal method, and the morphology of Fe 2 O 3 was optimized by varying the reaction temperature. Compared with Fe 2 O 3 , NPC and Fe 2 O 3 /NPC prepared at different temperature, the Fe 2 O 3 /NPC-150 electrode exhibited an improved discharge capacity of 178.7 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 50 mA g−1 with good rate performance and the high capacity retention rate of 91.6 % after 500 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of small Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles and N-doped pinecone-based porous carbon. This strategy provides a simple, mild and low cost method for preparing iron based anode materials for potassium-ion battery, and also provides some guidances for large-scale industrial production. • Fe2O3/NPC composite was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. • The synergistic effects between NPC and Fe2O3 improved electrochemical performance. • The electrode was suitable for application in K-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe2O3 is expected to be a favorable candidate to replace commercial graphite as anode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), however, it is impeded by dramatic volume expansion during charge/discharge process. Morphology control strategies have been widely conducted to develop the tolerance of Fe2O3 against the volume change. To investigate the morphology effect, herein, graphene oxide (GO) encapsulated Fe2O3 nanoparticles with three microstructures of nano‐rods, nano‐sheets, nano‐polyhedrons were synthesized. The structure‐dependent electrochemical performance has been demonstrated. The 1D rod‐like nano‐Fe2O3 alleviates the inherent wrinkle morphology of GO sheets, which construct a stable three‐dimensional composite structure. Therefore, the GO‐encapsulated rod‐shaped Fe2O3 (Fe/GO‐r) exhibits excellent reversible capacity of 1168.3 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1. The investigation of lithium‐ion migration kinetics indicates that Fe/GO‐r presents the highest contribution rate of surface induced capacitance. This study contributes towards the design of well‐performing anode materials for LIBs by investigating the effect of material morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe2O3 is expected to be a favorable candidate to replace commercial graphite as anode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), however, it is impeded by dramatic volume expansion during charge/discharge process. Morphology control strategies have been widely conducted to develop the tolerance of Fe2O3 against the volume change. To investigate the morphology effect, herein, graphene oxide (GO) encapsulated Fe2O3 nanoparticles with three microstructures of nano‐rods, nano‐sheets, nano‐polyhedrons were synthesized. The structure‐dependent electrochemical performance has been demonstrated. The 1D rod‐like nano‐Fe2O3 alleviates the inherent wrinkle morphology of GO sheets, which construct a stable three‐dimensional composite structure. Therefore, the GO‐encapsulated rod‐shaped Fe2O3 (Fe/GO‐r) exhibits excellent reversible capacity of 1168.3 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1. The investigation of lithium‐ion migration kinetics indicates that Fe/GO‐r presents the highest contribution rate of surface induced capacitance. This study contributes towards the design of well‐performing anode materials for LIBs by investigating the effect of material morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to investigate the radiation shielding properties of mortar samples with Fe2O3 nanoparticles for radiation protection applications. For the reference mortar (free Fe2O3 nanoparticles) and the mortar with different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles, we experimentally measured the transmission factor (I/I0) for four different thicknesses of the prepared mortar. The I/I0 results indicated that the transmission of the photons through the mortars decreases with increases in the mortar's thickness. The lowest TF was found for the mortar coded as MI-25 (contains 25 wt.% of Fe2O3 nanoparticles), which gives an indication about the development in the attenuation ability of the prepared mortar samples due to the addition of Fe2O3. Similarly, the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) results showed an increasing trend with the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles for the four tested energies. These results confirm that increasing the ratio of Fe2O3 nanoparticles can lead to a remarkable improvement in the gamma ray shielding. We reported the half value layer (HVL) and we found that the HVL for the reference mortar at 0.06 MeV is 1.223 cm, while it changed from 1.19 to 1.074 cm for the mortar with 5 and 25 wt.% of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The HVL results demonstrated that increasing the ratio of Fe2O3 nanoparticles can lead to a notable reduction in the HVL. The tenth value layer results proved that we can develop new mortars for radiation shielding applications by introducing more concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the rhombohedral-structured, flower-like iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles that were produced using a cost-effective and environmentally friendly coprecipitation process. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles were analyzed using XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and HR-TEM techniques. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on MCF-7 and HEK-293 cells were evaluated using in vitro cell viability assays, while the antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) was also tested. The results of our study demonstrated the potential cytotoxic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles toward MCF-7 and HEK-293 cell lines. The antioxidant potential of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was evidenced by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging assays. In addition, we suggested that Fe2O3 nanoparticles could be used in various antibacterial applications to prevent the spread of different bacterial strains. Based on these findings, we concluded that Fe2O3 nanoparticles have great potential for use in pharmaceutical and biological applications. The effective biocatalytic activity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles recommends its use as one of the best drug treatments for future views against cancer cells, and it is, therefore, recommended for both in vitro and in vivo in the biomedical field.

Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) with mean size of 50 nm ca. are synthesized starting from a porous organic polymer containing β‐ketoesterate Fe(III) sites (Fe‐POP), which is annealed at 400 °C under air for 30 min. During calcination, the organic material partially decomposes, and iron(III) oxide NPs onto an organic residue could be observed after annealing. The obtained NPs are characterized by SEM‐EDS, IR, and magnetic analyses and they are employed as active catalysts in the reduction of p‐bromonitrobenzene into p‐bromoaniline, using hydrazine hydrate in ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been reported to enhance the dechlorination performance of anaerobic systems, but the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. This study evaluated the technical feasibility, system stability, microbial biodiversity and the underlying mechanism involved in a Fe2O3 nanoparticle-coupled anaerobic system treating 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) wastewater. The results demonstrated that the 4-CP and total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies in the Fe2O3-coupled up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) were always higher than 97% and 90% during long-term operation, verifying the long-term stability of the Fe2O3-coupled UASB. The 4-CP and TOC removal efficiencies in the coupled UASB increased by 42.9±0.4% and 27.5±0.7% compared to the control UASB system. Adding Fe2O3 nanoparticles promoted the enrichment of species involved in dechlorination, fermentation, electron transfer and acetoclastic methanogenesis, and significantly enhanced the extracellular electron transfer ability, electron transport activity and conductivity of anaerobic sludge, leading to enhanced 4-CP biodegradation performance. A possible synergistic mechanism involved in enhanced anaerobic 4-CP biodegradation by Fe2O3 nanoparticles was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-day feeding trial was performed to assess the dietary effect of Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic supplement on some serum biochemical parameters and liver histopathology in common carp fry after exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles (IoNPs). Six treatments were prepared as follows: control (no IoNP exposure and no dietary probiotic), P6: 106 CFU/g probiotic diet, P7: 107 CFU/g probiotic diet, NPs: 0.15 mg/l IoNPs, NPs + P6: 0.15 mg/l IoNPs with 106 CFU/g probiotic diet, and NPs + P7: 0.15 mg/l IoNPs with 107 CFU/gprobiotic diet. Based on the results, serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly increased in 0.15 mg/l IoNPs, P7, and NPs + P6 treatments compared to the control group. In addition, the examination of antioxidant enzymes showed a significant increase in the levels of cortisol and glutathione S-transferase as well as malondialdehyde level. IoNPs also caused significant histopathological changes in the fish liver during the experiment such as hyperemia in sinusoidal spaces, hepatocytes vacuolation and necrosis, pyknosis, and disruption of hepatic lobules and atrophy. Results revealed the protective effects of dietary L. casei to mitigate the adverse impacts of IoNPs on the physiological processes of common carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, preparation of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles using seaweed Sargassum swartzii extract and characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM with EDAX analysis. The crystalline nature of γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles (hematite powders) were confirmed using XRD. In FT-IR spectra of the Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, the major bands at 594 cm−1 and 461 cm−1 observed correspond to the metal‑oxygen (Fe O) vibrational modes. The surface morphology of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles has been studied by FE-SEM. In vitro toxicity and anti-WSSV activity of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were carried out using the shrimp-insect hybrid cell line (Pm Lyo- Sf 9). The bioactivity of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles against the WSSV infected with the Pm Lyo- SF9 cell line was analyzed through dose-dependent attachment inhibition and virucidal activity at an optimum concentration of 320 μg/mL and confirmed by the expression of viral envelope protein VP28. Further, the computational approach of VP28 envelope protein and Fe 2 O 3 binding affinity was confirmed using molecular docking studies. Hence, the Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles can be formulated as an anti-viral agent against the aquaculture pathogens in efficient disease control. • Preparation and characterization of γ-Fe 2 O 3 NPs using brown alga seaweed Sargassum swartzii extract. • In vitro anti-wssv activity was carried out using hybrid cell line Pm Lyo- Sf9 cells. • Fe 2 O 3 NPs were shown to inhibit the virus infection via attachment inhibitory and virucidal activity with a dose-dependent approach. • In silico approach to study the interaction of Fe 2 O 3 NPS and VP28 envelope protein was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyethersulfone (PES)/iron oxide (Fe2O3) mixed matrix membranes have been prepared using the phase inversion technique. Initially, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised with an average size <80 nm and its characteristics were studied. Various PES/ Fe2O3 membranes were fabricated keeping PES composition (16) wt% constant and Fe2O3 loading (0–1.5) wt%. Surface morphology, cross-section morphology, composition characteristics, contact angle along with water flux, solute rejection and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membranes were studied. Numerous analytical instruments like Zeta particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, XPS, and goniometer were used in the study. Experimental results showed that the overall characteristics of the membrane were highly enhanced when the membrane prepared with 16 wt% PES, 5 wt% polyethylene glycol (PEG) doped with 1 wt% Fe2O3. Compared to the neat PES membranes, 1 wt% Fe2O3 blend membranes showed higher water flux of 80.94*10−7 m3/m2.s at trans membrane pressure of 200 kPa. Moreover, the membrane was subject to synthetic wastewater containing reactive black 5, which resulted in high permeate flux of 56.1*10−7 m3/m2.s with 98% rejection at pH 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]