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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures are well known for their excellency in photocatalytic activities. In this work, additive-free and Cd metal ion - incorporated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been prepared to employ a facile route of synthesis using a hydrothermal method. Metal-metal nanocomposites have been synthesized by incorporating cadmium (Cd) with the appropriate amount of TiO2 nanoparticles. The properties of the derived materials had been investigated by employing various characteristic tools such as various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible absorbance spectroscopy (UV–vis), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) are all examples of advanced imaging techniques, that may be used to study materials. Using a method known as a vibrating sample magnetometer, we measured the magnetic properties of bare and Cd-doped TiO2 nanoparticles. The investigations on crystalline nature of samples are agreed well with the standard crystalline features of TiO2 nanoparticles. Emerged grain sizes have been estimated for all samples of pure and additive incorporated TiO2 samples. Morphological characterization revealed that different particle features varied with the compositional changes. Spectral and optical absorption spectra of the prepared nanoparticles ensured the yield of derived TiO2 nanoparticles with the additive component. An evaluation of the photocatalytic activity of Cd doped TiO2 nanoparticles under UV irradiation was made using the methylene blue (MB) degradation method. The photodegradation efficiency were studied under visible light which confirms that the material is gifted one for water-treatment technologies to meet the rising clean water shortage.

In the present work, we have synthesized manganese oxide (Mn 3 O 4) nanoparticles (NPs) using the facile hydrothermal route at different pH (9, 10. 11). The effect of the pH variation on the structural and electrochemical properties of the synthesized Mn 3 O 4 NPs have studied. Synthesized NPs are characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, BET, cyclic voltammetry, galvanic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for various properties. The preferred orientation of Mn 3 O 4 growth is along the (211) plane with granule-like morphology. The Mn 3 O 4 electrodes were fabricated and investigated for electrochemical characterizations. The capacitance of the Mn 3 O 4 electrode was calculated from cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanometric charge-discharge curves at different scan rates and current densities, respectively. The specific capacitance values of the Mn 3 O 4 electrode (pH 11) were estimated from CV and GCD viz 277 F/g and 262 F/g, respectively, with the higher capacitance retention. Charge transfer resistance was calculated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The equivalent series resistance for Mn 3 O 4 at pH 11 is around 0.015 Ω. Nanostructured MnO 2 electrodes can be the potential materials for supercapacitor application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new compound Fe3Sb4O6F6 was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and its crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The synthesis was made under slightly basic conditions to prevent oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+. The compound crystallizes in the cubic space group I‐43m with separate crystallographic sites for Fe2+ and Sb3+. Fe3Sb4O6F6 is isostructural with M3Sb4O6F6 (M = Co, Ni, Zn). The crystal structure is comprising distorted [FeO2F4] octahedra connected via corner sharing at F‐atoms and [SbO3] trigonal pyramids that form [Sb4O6] units that connect via O‐atoms to the Fe‐atoms. Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements on the hydrothermal synthesis products prove the majority phase contains Fe in the oxidation state +2. Powder X‐ray diffraction suggests that an additional phase of the Mössbauer sample containing Fe3+ can be attributed to FeSbO2F2 as secondary phase. Fe3Sb4O6F6 exhibits antiferromagnetic order below ca. 72 K succeeded by a second magnetic phase transition at ca. 30 K. Strong antiferromagnetic spin‐exchange interaction is attributed to 180° Fe–F–Fe superexchange pathways identified in the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new compound Fe3Sb4O6F6 was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and its crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The synthesis was made under slightly basic conditions to prevent oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+. The compound crystallizes in the cubic space group I‐43m with separate crystallographic sites for Fe2+ and Sb3+. Fe3Sb4O6F6 is isostructural with M3Sb4O6F6 (M = Co, Ni, Zn). The crystal structure is comprising distorted [FeO2F4] octahedra connected via corner sharing at F‐atoms and [SbO3] trigonal pyramids that form [Sb4O6] units that connect via O‐atoms to the Fe‐atoms. Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements on the hydrothermal synthesis products prove the majority phase contains Fe in the oxidation state +2. Powder X‐ray diffraction suggests that an additional phase of the Mössbauer sample containing Fe3+ can be attributed to FeSbO2F2 as secondary phase. Fe3Sb4O6F6 exhibits antiferromagnetic order below ca. 72 K succeeded by a second magnetic phase transition at ca. 30 K. Strong antiferromagnetic spin‐exchange interaction is attributed to 180° Fe–F–Fe superexchange pathways identified in the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the extensive range of exotic nanoparticle (NPs) applications, investigation of magnetic NPs (MNPs) in vitro has ushered modern antibacterial studies into an increasingly attractive research area. A great number of microorganisms exist in the size scales from nanometre to micrometre regions. The enormous potential of engineered MNPs in therapeutic procedures against various drug‐resistant bacteria has declined the menace of fatal bacterial infections. Many biocompatible MNPs have been introduced that possess remarkable impacts on various bacterial strains. Conventional synthesis methods such as co‐precipitation or hydrothermal techniques have been widely adopted in the production of MNPs. The MNPs for antibacterial applications are mainly required to be superparamagnetic, recyclable and biocompatible. To implement novel strategies in developing new generation antimicrobial magnetic nanomaterials, it is essential to obtain a comprehensive preview of recent achievements in synthesis, proposed antibacterial mechanisms and characterisation techniques of these nanomaterials. This review highlights notable aspects of antibacterial activity in engineered MNPs and nanocomposites including their particle properties (size, shape and saturation magnetisation), antibacterial mechanisms, synthesis methods, testing methods, surface modifications and minimum inhibitory concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed at determining the effects of simple and cheap hydrothermal techniques on the antinutrtional components and in vitro multienzymes protein digestibility of Vigna racemosa, an underutilised hard-to-cook legume. Seeds of V. racemosa were subjected to aqueous soaking and four hydrothermal processing methods - atmospheric boiling and steaming; pressure boiling and steaming. The effects of soaking and the hydrothermal techniques on the antinutrtional components (phytic acid, saponin, tannin and trypsin inhibitor activity) and the in vitro protein digestibility were investigated. Increase in hydration level caused more seepage of the antinutrients into the soaking water. With the exception of trypsin inhibitor activity that was totally eliminated, other antinutritonal components experienced significant reduction (p<0.05) when the seeds were subjected to the various hydrothermal processing techniques. The raw sample has protein digestibility of 40.11% while steaming at atmospheric pressure and steaming at elevated pressure caused percentage digestibility of 87.11% and 87.36%, respectively. The boiling treatments resulted in better percentage protein digestibility of 87.91%. Application of these simple and cost effective hydrothermal processing methods resulted in significant decrease in the antinutrtional components and hence improvement of protein digestibility. Increase in utilisation of this legume for foods could strengthen dietary diversity and healthy eating habit and thus alleviate the problems of protein energy malnutrition and food insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-phase ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized utilizing improvements to the preparation of the precursor materials. This synthesis differs from more general syntheses of ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles in that it minimizes the presence of ZnO impurities. The higher purity of our ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles allowed for more comprehensive X-ray diffraction analysis as well as more sensitive spectroscopic evaluation. Moreover, pH control of the precursor solution dramatically improved the reproducibility of the synthesis. The lattice constant of the ZnAl2O4 samples synthesized by our technique is different from what is observed in particles fabricated using more common solid state reactions. This difference in lattice constants indicates the occurrence of a site exchange phenomenon between Zn2+ and Al3+ and/or oxygen deficiency. This suggests the possibility of tailoring novel functional spinel oxides for a wide array of future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tannins, water-soluble phenolic compounds, have been reported to have the ability to form complexes with nutritionally important nutrients such as protein and mineral elements thereby making them unavailable for absorption and utilization. Toxicity of tannin has been demonstrated in experimental animals although no deleterious effect of ingestion of legume tannin on human physiology has been reported. This report highlights the processing effects of soaking and hydrothermal techniques on some underutilised hard-to-cook legume crops and the importance of tannin in legume nutrition. Soaking and hydrothermal processing reduce the tannin content of processed legume seeds and hence improve the availability of protein and mineral elements. In view of the recent findings of the health benefits, classification of tannin which is traditionally regarded as an antinutrient should be reconsidered. Provision of these information will enhance knowledge of legume nutrition and economic utility. Increasing consumption of underutilized nutritionally important legume seeds, it is hoped, will alleviate the problem of protein energy malnutrition in many developing nations., Competing Interests: AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The author declares no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 by The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition. All rights Reserved.)

Four new mixed lone-pair mixed anion materials, Pb 3 (SeO 3)(HSeO 3)Br 3 , Pb 3 (SeO 3)(OH)Br 3 , CdPb 8 (SeO 3) 4 Cl 4 Br 6 and RbBi(SeO 3)F 2 , were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and solid-state techniques. All four compounds exhibit three-dimensional crystal structures, however the frameworks are vastly different. Pb 3 (SeO 3)(HSeO 3)Br 3 exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) structure consisting of sheets of [PbO 5 Br 3 ], [PbO 4 Br 3 ] and [PbO 4 Br 2 ] polyhedra linked to [SeO 3 ] and [SeO 2 (OH)] groups. Pb 3 (SeO 3)(OH)Br 3 also exhibits a 3D framework composed of chains of edge-sharing [PbO 3 (OH)Br 2 ] and [PbO 2 (OH)Br 3 ] octahedra connected by [SeO 3 ] groups. The 3D network of CdPb 8 (SeO 3) 4 Cl 4 Br 6 is composed of 1D [Pb 4 Br 3 Cl 4 ] chains attached to [CdSe 4 O 12 ] units through shared oxygens. Finally, RbBi(SeO 3)F 2 exhibits a 3D network made up of sheets of corner-sharing [BiO 3 F 4 ] and [SeO 3 ] polyhedra. For all of the reported compounds, infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and thermogravimetric measurements were performed. Four new metal-selenium-oxyhalides, Pb 3 (SeO 3)(HSeO 3)Br 3 , Pb 3 (SeO 3)(OH)Br 3 , CdPb 8 (SeO 3) 4 Cl 4 Br 6 and RbBi(SeO 3)F 2 with three-dimensional (3D) structures, have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Image 1 • Four new metal-selenium-oxyhalides, Pb 3 (SeO 3)(HSeO 3)Br 3 , Pb 3 (SeO 3)(OH)Br 3 , CdPb 8 (SeO 3) 4 Cl 4 Br 6 and RbBi(SeO 3)F 2 , were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and solid-state methods. • All four compounds exhibit three-dimensional crystal structures, however the frameworks are vastly different. • Infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and thermogravimetric measurements were performed for all of the reported compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seed of Cassia hirsutta was subjected to aqueous soaking and four hydrothermal processing techniques (atmospheric boiling, atmospheric steaming, pressure boiling, and pressure steaming). Soaking of the seed to varying hydration levels before hydrothermal treatments induced the reduction in the concentration of the antinutritional components. The lowest concentration of each of the antinutritional components was observed at 100% hydration level. The effects of hydrothermal techniques on the antinutritional components and protein digestibility were investigated. All the hydrothermal techniques caused significant reduction ( P <0.05) in the antinutritional components. Boiling at elevated pressure resulted in greater reduction of antinutrients. The hydrothermal techniques caused total elimination of trypsin inhibitor activity. Reduction in the concentration of the antinutritional components after hydrothermal processing led to the increase in in vitro protein digestibility. The highest in vitro protein digestibility of 86.82% was observed after the legume seed was boiled at elevated pressure. Adoption of this underutilised legume will strengthen dietary diversity, improve feeding patterns, and prevent protein energy malnutrition especially in developing countries since the seed is a good source of nutritionally important nutrients., Competing Interests: AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The author declares no conflict of interest.