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The high prevalence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is causing significant concern in healthcare systems. Antibacterial urinary catheters have been developed to prevent CAUTIs in clinical application. In this work, a copper sulfide nanorod (CuS NR)-embedded urinary catheter (CuS/UC) was designed as an antibacterial urinary catheter with photothermal sterilization. The CuS NRs with low cytotoxicity were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The CuS NRs were embedded into urinary catheters at different weight percentages. The CuS/UC exhibited homogenous surface roughness, low wettability, hydrophobicity, and low adhesiveness, promoting minimal interaction with bacteria and healthy cells. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the 0.8 weight percentage of CuS NRs in the urinary catheter (0.8CuS/UC) reached a temperature of 67.4 °C, demonstrating its photothermal antibacterial activity and suitability for catheter sterilization. Agar plate test verified that CuS/UCs exhibited a superior photothermal antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Streptococcus aureus (S. aureus). Moreover, the 0.8CuS/UC exhibited excellent biocompatibility and anti-cell adhesion properties. The 0.8CuS/UC with photothermal performance, excellent biocompatibility, and anti-cell adhesion properties demonstrated its potential as a photothermal antibacterial catheter for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm oil empty fruit bunch (OEB) is the largest source of waste in the production of crude palm oil. Utilizing this waste in various applications can help reduce its volume and mitigate adverse environmental effects. In this study, fibers from OEB without any chemical treatment are introduced into Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)-based mortar to partially replace fine aggregates, aiming to reduce the mortar's density. The goal of this experimental study is to observe the mechanical and physical performance of the samples according to the effect of the addition of OEB. The composite samples were made by replacing 1%, 2%, and 3% of the weight of quartz sand as the fine aggregate with OEB (fine and coarse). The hardened composites were further tested to determine their compressive strength, and it was found that the replacement of sand with OEB led to a decrease in compressive strength and flowability while alleviating the mortar's density and affecting the setting time. The decrease in compressive strength was attributed to cavities present in the samples. Flexural tests and 28-day drying shrinkage measurements were carried out on the samples with 1% replacement of sand with OEB. The experiments showed that OEB fibers increased the flexural strength, functioned as a crack barrier, and reduced drying shrinkage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections have become a fatal threat because of the abuse of antibiotics in the world. Various gold (Au)-based nanostructures have been extensively explored as antibacterial agents to combat bacterial infections based on their remarkable chemical and physical characteristics. Many Au-based nanostructures have been designed and their antibacterial activities and mechanisms have been further examined and demonstrated. In this review, we collected and summarized current developments of antibacterial agents of Au-based nanostructures, including Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au nanoclusters (AuNCs), Au nanorods (AuNRs), Au nanobipyramids (AuNBPs), and Au nanostars (AuNSs) according to their shapes, sizes, and surface modifications. The rational designs and antibacterial mechanisms of these Au-based nanostructures are further discussed. With the developments of Au-based nanostructures as novel antibacterial agents, we also provide perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for future practical clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth vanadate (BVO) with a small band gap and suitable band edges is regarded as one of the promising photocatalysts for water oxidation. However, the short charge-transfer path limits its photocatalytic performance. Establishing a heterojunction and incorporating a co-catalyst are feasible methods to improve the photocatalytic ability of BVO by enhancing carrier transfer rates and reducing in-electrode resistances. In this study, nickel tellurium oxide (NTO) and cobalt iron Prussian blue analogues (CoFePBA) are incorporated into the BVO electrode to respectively develop a heterojunction and decorate co-catalyst for efficiently catalyzing the water oxidation reaction for the first time. Different amounts of CoFePBA are deposited on the NTO/BVO electrode by varying the electrodeposition durations to enhance exited charge generations and maintain high absorbance of incident light. The largest photocurrent density of 6.55 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode is attained for the optimal CoFePBA/NTO/BVO electrode prepared using an electrodeposition duration of 2 min. Excellent catalytic stability is also achieved, with the photocurrent retention of 91.9% after illuminating the electrode for 5000 s. This study provides blueprints for incorporating novel electrochemically active materials in the BVO system to realize heterojunction and co-catalyst strategies, thereby attaining excellent photocatalytic ability toward water oxidation. [Display omitted] • Ni–Te oxide (NTO) and Co–Fe Prussian blue analogue (CoFePBA) combined in BiVO 4 (BVO). • Heterojunction and co-catalyst are made for catalyzing water oxidation efficiently. • Different CoFePBA amount is deposited on NTO/BVO by varying electrodeposition times. • A photocurrent density of 6.55 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V RHE is obtained for CoFePBA/NTO/BVO. • Excellent stability is achieved with a photocurrent retention of 91.9% after 5000 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth vanadate with suitable band edges is one of the efficient photocatalysts for water oxidation. Establishing heterojunction can improve electron diffusion lengths and photocatalytic ability of BiVO 4. In this work, nickel molybdenum oxide (Ni–Mo–O) and BiVO 4 heterojunction is established by the hydrothermal process with different nickel to molybdenum precursor ratios. The Ni–Mo–O/BiVO 4 electrode is applied as photoanodes for water oxidation. The growth mechanism of Ni–Mo–O on BiVO 4 surface is proposed. The Ni–Mo–O deposition amount is optimized regarding to light absorbance and charger transportation. The largest photocurrent density of 1.72 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V RHE is obtained for the optimal NiMoO 4 /BiVO 4 electrode (NM12) in the electrolyte without hole scavenger, while the pure BiVO 4 electrode only shows a photocurrent density of 0.90 mA/cm2. The NM12 electrode even presented an impressive photocurrent density of 5.39 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V RHE in the electrolyte with the hole scavenger, owing to the abundant active sites and higher light absorbance as well as the favorable synergistic effects from its suitable Ni to Mo ratio. The NM12 electrode also shows excellent long-term stability with the photocurrent retention of 83% after illumination for 6500 s. This work opens a blueprint for establishing a novel heterojunction with the adjustable metal ratio and coverage on BiVO 4. [Display omitted] • Nickel molybdenum oxide (Ni–Mo–O) and BiVO 4 heterojunction is made by hydrothermal. • Ni–Mo–O/BiVO 4 photoanode with varied Ni to Mo ratios is used for water oxidation. • The growth mechanism of Ni–Mo–O on BiVO 4 surface is proposed. • Photocurrent density of 5.39 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V RHE is got for optimal NM12 electrode. • The NM12 electrode shows an excellent photocurrent retention of 83 % after 6500 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide with suitable band edges is one of promising photocatalysts for water splitting. Nanotubes with one-dimensional structure can induce efficient charge transfers and hollow centers can provide large surface area for surface reactions. Modifying Ti foils for anodization can enhance light utilization of TiO 2 nanotube photoelectrodes. In this work, it is firstly to fabricate TiO 2 nanotube photoelectrodes on acid-etched Ti foils by anodization (MNT) for photoelectrochemical catalyzing water splitting. Different acid-etching durations are applied on Ti foils to induce various rugged surfaces. The resulting photoelectrodes present largely enhanced light utilization than that fabricated by the pristine Ti foil. The anodization duration is also optimized to find suitable lengths of MNT. The smallest overpotential of 524.7 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope of 167 mV/dec are obtained for the optimal MNT photoelectrode. The TiO 2 nanotubes grown on the pristine Ti foil shows the overpotential of 679.3 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope of 285 mV/dec. This result opens a blueprint for raising the photocatalytic ability by simply modifying the surface property of the conductive substrate. Other modifications may be applicable to enhance the roughness of Ti foils for growing more efficient MNT array as photocatalysis of water splitting. [Display omitted] • TiO 2 nanotube photoelectrodes are fabricated on acid-etched Ti foils by anodization. • Different acid-etching duration is used on Ti foil to induce various rugged surface. • Anodization duration is optimized to find the suitable lengths of TiO 2 nanotubes. • Smaller overpotential of 524.7 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope of 167 mV/dec are got. • High light absorbance and small charge transfer resistance are got for modified tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]