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Stimuli-responsive controlled drug delivery systems have attracted the attention of researchers in recent decades due to their potential application in developing efficient drug carriers that are responsive to applied stimuli triggers. In this work, we present the synthesis of L-lysine (an amino acid that combines both amine and carboxylic acid groups in a single unit) modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MS@Lys NPs) for the delivery of the anticancer bioactive agent (curcumin, Cur) to cancer cells. To begin, mesoporous silica hybrid nanoparticles (MS@GPTS NPs) with 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane (GPTS) were synthesized. The L-lysine groups were then functionalized onto the mesopore channel surfaces of the MS@GPTS NPs through a ring-opening reaction between the epoxy groups of the GPTS and the amine groups of the L-lysine units. Several instrumental techniques were used to examine the structural properties of the prepared L-lysine-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MS@Lys NPs). The drug loading and pH-responsive drug delivery behavior of MS@Lys NPs were studied at different pH levels (pH 7.4, 6.5, and 4.0) using curcumin (Cur) as a model anticancer bioactive agent. The MS@Lys NPs’ in vitro cytocompatibility and cell uptake behavior were also examined using MDA-MB-231 cells. The experimental results imply that MS@Lys NPs might be used in cancer therapy as pH-responsive drug delivery applications.

The cupric oxide (CuO) loaded graphitic carbon nitride (g-C

In recent times, there has been an inspired research on combining semiconducting metal oxides for improved industrial applications. Significantly, wastewater removal is concerned and the researchers are finding new methodologies for removing azo dyes that possess a high level of carcinogenic effects. In this connection, this work investigates the photocatalytic activity of synthesized TiO

In this study, pure cobalt oxide (Co

This study addresses the significance of wastewater recuperation by a simple and facile treatment process known as photocatalyst technology using visible light. Titanium di-oxide (TiO

Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT/FONDAP/15110019 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 11170414 King Saud University RSP-2019/8

In this study, cubic spinel structured CuCo

The far-reaching technology of semiconductors in treating water pollutants reduces serious health hazards to humans and other eco-systems. With this interpretation, this work is attempted for the first time to synthesize nanosized pristine NiO and ZnO materials, and NiO/ZnO (70:30, 50:50) composites by co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were then portrayed for their properties using various instrumental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDXS), Fourier transform Infrared spectrum (FT-IR). The main approach of this work is connected with the ultra violet (UV) photocatalytic degradation of MO (methyl orange) by employing the synthesized nanomaterials as catalysts. In view of results, the photocatalytic degradation of NiO/ZnO (70:30) has reported the greatest efficiency than the other catalysts. This outcome lies with the consideration of higher content of NiO present in the composite than ZnO. Further, there was the existence of higher surface area analysed from the BET result. Also, the NiO/ZnO (50:50) sample showed lower degradation efficiency in terms of formed agglomeration when surveyed through TEM. Besides, the positive mechanism of photocatalysis reaction forms the essential hydroxyl radicals which correspond to MO degradation. Moreover, the highly efficient NiO/ZnO (70:30) sample has been trialled for photocatalytic repetition process to observe the stability of degradation. It has accounted with good efficiency for 5 repeated cycles. Finally for UV degradation, the recognized photocatalytic aspect was due to the surface morphology enhanced surface area, synergistic effects of metal oxides and electron-hole charge separation.

Globally, ecotoxicologists, environmental biologists, biochemists, pathologists, and other experts are concerned about environmental contamination. Numerous pollutants, such as harmful heavy metals and emerging hazardous chemicals, are pervasive sources of water pollution. Water pollution and sustainable development have several eradication strategies proposed and used. Biosorption is a low-cost, easy-to-use, profitable, and efficient method of removing pollutants from water resources. Microorganisms are effective biosorbents, and their biosorption efficacy varies based on several aspects, such as ambient factors, sorbing materials, and metals to be removed. Microbial culture survival is also important. Biofilm agglomerates play an important function in metal uptake by extracellular polymeric molecules from water resources. This study investigates the occurrence of heavy metals, their removal by biosorption techniques, and the influence of variables such as those indicated above on biosorption performance. Ion exchange, complexation, precipitation, and physical adsorption are all components of biosorption. Between 20 and 35 °C is the optimal temperature range for biosorption efficiency from water resources. Utilizing living microorganisms that interact with the active functional groups found in the water contaminants might increase biosorption efficiency. This article discusses the negative impacts of microorganisms on living things and provides an outline of how they affect the elimination of heavy metals.

When it comes to electrocatalysis, the creation of nanodevices, the research of energy and the environment, and diagnostics, nanoporous materials are an asset. Nanoporous membranes, which can be used to filter water, have recently been the subject of new research and are summarized in this review. These membranes are used to remove salts and metallic ions from the water following an analysis of several nanoporous membrane types and production procedures. Demonstrations and discussions of these membrane systems are then conducted. Nanoporous membranes can be used to filter water, according to the conclusions of this study, which will help readers better grasp how they work. As a result, novel water purification nanoporous compounds that are easy to manufacture, inexpensive, and effective will be developed. Merits and demerits of nanoporous membrane for water treatment and its advancements in purification were discussed.

In recent times, visible light enhancement has become much more considered due to the enlightening properties of nanocomposite systems. This has potential applications for wastewater treatment due to the blemish of toxic organic chemicals from industrial sectors. Therefore, this work is focused on novel 3D ZnO/SnO

The treatment of industrial waste and harmful bacteria is an important topic due to the release of toxins from the industrial pollutants that damage the water resources. These harmful sources frighten the life of every organism which was later developed as the carcinogenic and mutagenic agents. Therefore, the current study focuses on the breakdown or degradation of 4-chlorophenol and the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). As a well-known catalyst, pure titanium-di-oxide (TiO

Recent interest and responsibility to retain the water resources rose among people. Scientists have been engaged to develop the mechanism that involves the freely available sunlight - a sustainable resource - to remove the pollutants from water to make it again suitable for life. Ample research was reported in the removal of dye pollutants present in water. For this they have utilized p type and n type semiconductors or combination of both (p-n type) under the excitation of a wide range of electromagnetic band energy. Most of the interest lies in emerging out of the mechanism with hybrid semiconductors to remove the previously reported flaws. Toward this regard, this manuscript aims to develop unique material using the underlying p-n-p model for harnessing visible light in catalysis. Initially, p-n structure was developed with copper oxide (p-type) and zinc oxide (n-type), then polyaniline (p-type) conjugated at different concentrations (0.5 M, 0.7 M & 1.0 M), to yield p-n-p models, using precipitation followed by sonication techniques. Detailed physicochemical investigations were conducted on the resultant p-n-p material to elucidate its characteristics. Furthermore, the mechanism was advocated for the best photocatalytic activity under visible light excitation for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol and compared with the performance of a standard p-n (CuO/ZnO) combination.

In recent times, cost effective synthesis of semiconductor materials has been a subject of concern for the day to today applications. In this work, novelty has been made on the facile synthesis of metal oxides (TiO

Pharmaceuticals, personal care items, steroid hormones, and agrochemicals are among the synthetic and indigenous products that make up micropollutants, also known as emerging contaminants. Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPPs) are a class of developing micropollutants that can harm living organisms even at low concentrations. Many are detected in surface water and wastewater from the treatment process, with quantities ranging from ng L-1 to gL-1; however, residual PPPs at dangerously high levels have indeed recently been recognized in the ecosystem. Residential sewage treatment plant (STP) dump the largest majority of these pollutants into the environment on a regular basis. As a result of its robust structure, it has a longer lifespan in the environment. This review article discusses how surface water pollutants such pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and perfluorinated compounds affect water quality, as well as the most cost-effective adsorbents for removing these PPPs. The goal of this study is to provide information about the origins of PPP, as well as diagnostic procedures and treatment options. Research on developing contaminants is also aimed at evaluating the efficacy and affordability of adsorption.

In recent times, visible light enhancement has become much more considered due to the enlightening properties of nanocomposite systems. This has potential applications for wastewater treatment due to the blemish of toxic organic chemicals from industrial sectors. Therefore, this work is focused on novel 3D ZnO/SnO2 nanocomposites synthesized by the green method (orange peel extracts supported combined chemical processes) utilized for the removal of chlorophenol effluent. The orange peel extract has been incorporated as one of the major components to synthesize an effective nanocomposite. Also, the pure materials were synthesized along with these nanocomposites and tested under various instrumental techniques. The characterized results showed that the composites prepared with orange peel extract exhibited hexagonal 3D ZnO nanospheres with 3D tetragonal structured SnO2 nanocubes. Elemental analysis showed that the partial amount of SnO2 has transformed to SnO due to the reducing ability of orange peel extract. Also, the existing different (Zn2+, Sn4+, and Sn2+) states helped in delaying the transfer of electron-hole recombination to obtain photocatalytic chlorophenol degradation. Further, the prevailing line dislocation can compromise more vacancy and interact with more electrons. The high surface area, least crystallite size, and lower bandgap inspired to enhance the visible light activity. Simultaneously, the pure form of nanomaterial has poor light absorption under visible light. This study achieves the photocatalytic degradation of 77.5% against chlorophenol using a green 3D composite system.

The treatment of industrial waste and harmful bacteria is an important topic due to the release of toxins from the industrial pollutants that damage the water resources. These harmful sources frighten the life of every organism which was later developed as the carcinogenic and mutagenic agents. Therefore, the current study focuses on the breakdown or degradation of 4-chlorophenol and the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). As a well-known catalyst, pure titanium-di-oxide (TiO2) had not shown the photocatalytic activity in the visible light region. Hence, band position of TiO2 need to be shifted to bring out the absorption in the visible light region. For this purpose, the n-type TiO2 nanocrystalline material's band gap got varied by adding different ratios of p-type CuO. The result had appeared in the formation of p (CuO) - n (TiO2) junction synthesized from sol-gel followed by chemical precipitation methods. The optical band gap value was determined by Kubelka-Munk (K-M) plot through UV-Vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Further, the comprehensive mechanism and the results of photocatalytic and antibacterial activities were discussed in detail. These investigations are made for tuning the TiO2 catalyst towards improving or eliminating the existing various environmental damages.

The progress of the enriched photocatalytic degradation predominantly depends on materials fabrication. In the recent times, the outcomes of nanomaterials show extraordinary efficiency due to its shape and size. In this connection, the present work concentrates on the fabrication of single digit metal oxides (CeO2, CuO, NiO, Mn3O4, SnO2 and ZnO) through precipitation method. The structural information of different metal oxides (MOs) and their crystallite size were estimated via XRD analysis and their consistent results revealed that the crystalline sizes of the prepared metal oxide were exhibited in nano size. The morphology and dimension of the synthesized MOs were identified through FE-SEM and TEM techniques. The FE-SEM images were apparently defined that the actual morphology of each metal oxide expresses different dimension due to nucleation and growth process. The result of UV-vis absorption spectra was helped to identify the band gap of MOs and a suitable light for photocatalytic irradiation. Additionally, the synthesized single digit MOs nanoparticles were magnificently applied for the degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue under UV light irradiation.

To expand the absorption of pure nanosized TiO2 to the visible light range for improving the photocatalytic efficiency necessary for industrial application, the way of doping different transition metals such as Mn, Co and Zr into TiO2 was done by sol-gel synthesis method. The X-ray diffraction studies were identified that the metal doped TiO2 and undoped TiO2 samples have the same tetragonal structure with pure anatase phase. Obviously, the crystallite size is smaller for the doped materials than that of pure TiO2 sample. The characteristic FE-SEM images revealed well distributed spherical shaped particles. The dopant materials induced significant changes in the surface area of TiO2 which was confirmed by Brunauer Emmet Teller method. The absorption edge of doped TiO2 is at a higher wavelength that corresponds to red region, because of the formation of intermediate states in the doped metal ions into TiO2 sites. Moreover, for the photocatalytic degradation of MB and MO dyes, the prepared catalysts were tested under both UV and visible light irradiation. The observation confirms that among all the other samples, Mn doped TiO2 shows amazing photocatalytic performance in visible light due to its smaller crystallite size, large surface area and lower band gap.

WOS: 000475998500046, In this work, precipitation and sol-gel mixed procedures were used to prepare a TiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results unmistakably elucidated the tetragonal structure of TiO2 with the cubic structure of Fe3O4 . The particle size, interface, and surface area were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements. The TEM image of the prepared TiO2@Fe3O4 clearly showed that the material is nano-spherical in shape. The BET surface area of the nanocomposite was measured to have a higher value (115.7 m(2)/g) than those of the TiO2 (65.2 m/g) and Fe3O4 (30.1 m(2)/g) pure systems because of the synergistic effect and interface between the two different oxides. The absorption edges of the TiO2@Fe3O4 nanocomposites were studied with the UV-abs spectrometer, and the results revealed that the material band gap is 2.70 eV. The chemical composition and dispersion of the nanocomposite system was assessed via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) along with elemental mapping. The PL spectra of the prepared nanocomposite system indicated a delay of the electron-hole recombination process due to the presence of Fe3O4, thus inducing intermediate states into the TiO2 system. The favourable optical properties of the developed nanocomposites were exploited for the photocatalytic degradation of colourful dyes, such as methylene blue, and methyl orange, as well as of colourless phenol. In addition, their stability and photocatalytic mechanism are explained in detail. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V., FONDECYT Government of ChileComision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT)CONICYT FONDECYT [11170414], We acknowledge Dr. K. Ravichandran, Department of Nuclear Physics, University of Madras, India for the lab facilities and his valuable contribution for the discussion. The author (S.R) acknowledge FONDECYT Government of Chile (Project No.: 11170414), for the support to carry out this project

In recent times, cost effective synthesis of semiconductor materials has been a subject of concern for the day to today applications. In this work, novelty has been made on the facile synthesis of metal oxides (TiO2 and CeO2) and nanocomposites (TiO2–CeO2) through sol-gel and precipitation methods of imparting lemon extract. The synthesized materials behave as the functional catalysts which has been further carried out for the photocatalytic degradation against 2,4-Dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The materials are then valued for the structural and optical properties. The lemon extract used in synthesis has played a premier role in upgrading the charge carrier separation, bandgap, and size reduction of the composite system. Further, the CeO2 supported TiO2 sample acts as the better visible light catalyst, due to the prevention of aggregation and existence of line dislocation that supported to access the additional electron trap sites.

In the present study, TiO2 quantum dots (QDs) were effectively synthesized by the sol–gel method and it was characterized by several techniques. The structure of the TiO2 QDs, before and after calcination, was analyzed by the powder X-ray diffraction technique. The XRD results indicate that after calcination, TiO2 QDs have pure anatase phase with tetragonal structure without any other phases and impurities. The morphology and size of the TiO2 QDs were determined from FE-SEM and TEM analysis. The optical band gap of TiO2 QDs was estimated using Kubelka–Munk function from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity and recycling ability of the TiO2 QDs have been investigated. The TiO2 QDs were used to degrade the model dyes such as methyl orange and methylene blue under UV light irradiation and their results have been discussed. A mechanism is proposed and discussed accordingly in detail.