Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry (JNSC) reports breakthrough research in all aspects of nanoscience at the interfaces of chemistry, biology, biotechnology, materials science, physics, and engineering. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry publishes high-quality peer reviewed research, perspectives, and review articles. With our broad scope, we welcome research from all areas across the natural sciences, biomedicine and engineering. Topics covered in this open access journal include, but are not limited to the following: Target drug and gene delivery Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine Cancer therapy Diagnosis and Bioimaging Electrochemical detection and sensing Food industry and packaging Environments (catalyst, coatings, and water treatment) Energy (fuel cells, capacitor, laser) This journal operates on an open access model and charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover the costs of publication and ensure free and permanent access to published articles. We are committed to supporting researchers worldwide and offer APC waivers for authors from low- and middle-income countries, as well as in cases of financial hardship. Waiver requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and do not influence editorial decisions. For more information on APCs and waiver eligibility, please visit our APC & Waivers Policy page. Journal DOI: 10.57647/jnsc Journal Abbreviation: J. Nanostruct. Chem. Journal Title Acronym: JNSC Journal Owner: Islamic Azad University Publisher: Islamic Azad University, Co-publishing, OICC Press, UK DIRECTOR and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Omid Moradi, PhD
Viscoelastic Janus Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Periodontitis Immunomodulation via Co-delivery of IL- 1β Monoclonal Antibody and PDLSC Exosomes
A viscoelastic Janus nanocomposite hydrogel (Janus-GelLap) was engineered via sequential 3D printing using Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) and exfoliated Laponite nanosilicates to enable spatiotemporally controlled co-delivery of a neutralizing IL-1β monoclonal antibody with documented cross-reactivity to rodent IL-1β (aIL1β) and periodontal ligament stem cell-derived exosomes (PDLSC-Exos). The fully exfoliated Laponite network increased the hydrogel’s surface area from 4.85 to 25.84 m²/g and enhanced the storage modulus (G′) from 2.15 to 8.24 kPa, endowing excellent shear-thinning and >95% rapid self-healing. In vitro release studies showed a biphasic diffusion of aIL1β (22 ± 3% burst, 78 ± 4% total) and a sustained zero-order-like release of PDLSC-Exos (61 ± 5% total) over 14 days, governed by Fickian (n = 0.48) and non-Fickian (n = 0.78) mechanisms, respectively. Cytocompatibility tests confirmed >95% cell viability with a 1.3-fold increase in hPDLSC proliferation. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, Janus-GelLap reduced TNF-α and iNOS expression by >80% while elevating Arg-1 and IL-10 by ≈5-fold; ELISA revealed TNF-α = 410 ± 65 pg/mL and IL-10 = 615 ± 80 pg/mL, confirming synergistic M1 suppression and M2 activation. In a rat periodontitis model, micro-CT analysis demonstrated near-complete bone preservation (CEJ–ABC = 0.51 ± 0.06 mm; BV/TV = 68.1 ± 4.6%; BMD = 1.10 ± 0.10 g/cm³; Tb.Th = 85 ± 6 μm), statistically indistinguishable from healthy controls. Although comprehensive periodontal immune cell profiling by flow cytometry and expanded leukocyte panels was not performed, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry of the defect region provided direct in vivo evidence of immunomodulation, revealing a pronounced shift in macrophage polarization from F4/80⁺iNOS⁺ M1 to F4/80⁺CD206⁺/Arg-1⁺ M2 phenotypes, accompanied by reduced IL-1β/TNF-α and enhanced OCN/Runx2 expression. These findings establish the Janus-GelLap as a multifunctional immuno-regenerative platform that effectively halts inflammation-driven alveolar bone loss and promotes coordinated tissue regeneration, providing a clinically translatable paradigm for osteoimmunomodulatory therapy in chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lingyan Peng, Guohong Yuan, Jingru Zhao, Xiaohui Yin, Sicong Jiang, Xiangying Ouyang, Jing Qiao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Cyclodextrin-Linked Corn Starch Nanostructured Microgels as pH-Responsive Nanocarriers for Doxorubicin Delivery in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma chemotherapy remains constrained by off-target toxicity and multidrug resistance, underscoring the need for biobased nanostructured carriers capable of tumor microenvironment-responsive drug delivery. Here, we report cyclodextrin-linked corn starch nanostructured microgels prepared by inverse water-in-oil emulsion crosslinking with epichlorohydrin as a sustainable platform for doxorubicin delivery. Systematic variation of the β-cyclodextrin content generated colloidally stable microgels with hydrodynamic diameters in the 215–410 nm range, narrow polydispersity indices (~0.22–0.31) and increasingly negative zeta potentials down to −21.5 mV. Nitrogen sorption, FTIR, XRD and thermal analyses confirmed the formation of mesoporous polymer networks, with the lead formulation (CS-CD-3) exhibiting a BET surface area of 12.45 m²/g and an average pore diameter of 9.8 nm. Doxorubicin loading into these microgels afforded high drug payloads with an encapsulation efficiency of 78.4% for CS-CD-3. In vitro release studies demonstrated pronounced pH-dependent behavior, with only ~24% cumulative release at physiological pH 7.4 versus ~72% at pH 5.0 after 24 h, consistent with the intrinsic pH-dependent ionization of doxorubicin and the associated pH-modulated DOX–β-cyclodextrin host–guest interactions within the microgel network. Kinetic fitting of the pH 5.0 release data (Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models) indicated diffusion through a hydrated matrix with an additional polymer-relaxation contribution under acidic in vitro conditions (n ≈ 0.62). Blank microgels preserved >90% cell viability in both HepG2 and L02 cells, whereas doxorubicin-loaded CS-CD-3 microgels decreased the IC50 in HepG2 cells from 2.15 ± 0.18 to 0.85 ± 0.12 μg/mL and increased the IC50 in L02 cells from 4.50 ± 0.35 to 8.20 ± 0.65 μg/mL, improving the selectivity index from 2.09 to 9.64. Confocal imaging confirmed efficient endocytic uptake, endo-lysosomal release and enhanced apoptotic nuclear damage. These results highlight nanostructured cyclodextrin–starch microgels as a promising bio-derived nanoplatform for safer, more selective hepatocellular carcinoma chemotherapy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shubin Wang, Teng Pan, Jiaqi Zhang, Hao Guo, Wuhan Yang (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Covalent Organic Frameworks-integrated Metal-Oxide-N-doped Catalysts: A Synergistic Approach to High Energy and Power Density
Supercapacitors have played an important role in electrochemical energy storage. The performance characteristics of supercapacitor devices greatly depend not only on the electrode design but also on the core materials used in the electrode. In this study, we synthesised a new class of ternary materials that require simple methods of synthesis, involving a covalent organic framework (COF)-NiCo2O4-N-doped nanocomposite using a cost-effective hydrothermal route of synthesis. Composite electrode of COF/NiCo₂O₄-N-doped was developed that exhibited a high specific capacitance of 1,283.3 F g-1 at a discharge current density of 2 A g-1 when measured using a three-electrode setup. To show the potential of using COF/NiCo₂O₄-N-doped electroactive materials to create a practical and functional device, we fabricated an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) out of the COF/NiCo₂O₄-N-doped composite as the positrode and activated carbon (AC) as the negatrode in an electrolyte of 3 M KOH. The fabricated ASC device, COF/NiCo₂O₄-N-doped//AC exhibited impressive 34.59 Wh kg-1 and 1235.75 W kg-1 energy and power density ratings, respectively at a 2 A g-1 discharge current density, which maintained 90% rate of performance after 10,000 cycles of operation. Thus, the current study presents an efficient electrode material for deployment in energy storage devices of the future.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rozhin Darabi, P.M Anjana, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi, Li Fu, Hassan Karimi-Maleh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comparative Study of Synergistic Effects of Biogenic Nanoparticles and Plant Extracts in Tragacanth and Carboxymethyl Tragacanth-based Edible Films for Preserving Raw Pistachios
Bio-based nanocomposite films were developed using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) reinforced with tragacanth gum (TG) and carboxymethyl tragacanth (CMT), incorporating biogenic ZnO or CuO nanoparticles and plant-derived extracts (cinnamon or clove). A comparative evaluation of structural, surface, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties was conducted to assess their potential for active food packaging. FESEM analysis revealed that CMT-based films possessed a more homogeneous and compact microstructure with fewer microcracks compared to TG-based films. The lower contact angle observed for CMT-containing films indicated stronger intermolecular interactions and a denser polymer network. CMT-based films demonstrate a more favorable balance between strength and elongation, resulting in improved toughness and mechanical stability, which are critical for flexible food packaging applications. Oxygen permeability measurements demonstrated that optimized CMT-based film achieved a lower oxygen transmission rate (26.80 cm³/m²·24 h·0.1 MPa) than TG-based film (27.53 cm³/m²·24 h·0.1 MPa), despite reduced thickness (70 μm versus 78 μm). Analysis of diffusion and solubility coefficients indicated that reduced oxygen solubility within the CMT matrix (2.66 × 10-10 cm3/cm2.cm.Pa) was the dominant factor governing overall permeability. The practical performance of the films was further assessed by coating raw pistachios. The optimized CMT-based film preserved the visual quality of pistachios for up to 12 days under ambient conditions without observable deterioration. These results highlight CMT-based nanocomposite films as promising sustainable materials for oxygen-sensitive food packaging applications.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zohre Jafari Vafa, Ehsan Nazarzadeh Zare, Ali Najafi, Taotao Zhao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Fresh Natural Dyes to Improve the Optoelectronic Properties of Chitosan Biopolymer: Structural, Spectroscopic and Optical Studies
In this study an eco-friendly, one-pot hydrothermal processes use to synthesize water-soluble CQDs from natural dye extracted from Bougainvillea flowers (DBG). Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) offer outstanding optical properties and low toxicity, making them attractive for sustainable optoelectronic materials. The resulting bougainvillea carbon quantum dots (BQDs) were integrated with chitosan (CS) biopolymer to deliver composite films with high optical properties. Structural, morphological, and optical analyses, supported by NMR, FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy, confirmed the production of amorphous BQDs and strong CQD–CS interactions with reduced crystallinity. Notably, the optical band gap narrowed significantly from 5.23 eV in pure CS to 2.42 eV in BQDs-doped composites. The BQDs exhibited excitation-dependent photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 2.74%, while Urbach energy analysis indicated increased localized states with higher BQD content. Enhanced refractive indices, dielectric constants, and non-linear optical properties further demonstrate the composites’ potential for photonic and optoelectronic applications. This work establishes a green, scalable strategy to boost biopolymer functionality using natural carbon sources.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ismael I. Hussein, Ary R. Murad, Shujahadeen B. Aziz, Dara M. Aziz, Bakhet A. Alqurashy, Dyari M. Mamand, Kawan F. Kayani, Govar H. Hamasalih, Sambasivam Sangaraju (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Electronic and Biocompatible Properties of Phosphorus- Doped 2D-Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been considered one of the most promising nanomaterials currently available, mainly due to its structural stability, high optical band gap, and promising biocompatibility. In this work, pure h-BN and phosphorus-doped derivatives (h-BN-1P and h-BN-1.5P) were synthesized by pyrolysis followed by heat treatment at 1000 °C under a nitrogen stream. Structural characterization was performed by PXRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the formation of the hexagonal phase and demonstrating that phosphorus incorporation did not disrupt the crystal lattice. AFM and SEM analyses identified a mixture of topographies, including 2D (nanosheets) and 1D (nanowhisker) morphological structures, and EDS confirmed the incorporation of phosphorus. TEM analysis allowed obtaining the determination of interplanar distance values for the samples. Cytocompatibility was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through the MTT viability assay. The results indicated that pure h-BN maintained cell viability above 85%, while phosphorus-doped materials showed a slight decrease in viability, but still preserved viability levels above 50% at the maximum concentration evaluated (100 µg mL-1). The results obtained confirm that h-BN and its phosphorus-doped forms exhibit favorable biocompatibility and tunable electronic properties, confirming their potential for future biomedical applications.
Copyright (c) 2026 Juliana Sales Osterno Leitão, Allysson Rocha Lima, Tiago Melo Freire, Felipe da Silva Barros, Antoninho Valentini, Juan Símon Rodriguez Hernández, Alejandro Pedro Ayala, Tayná Vitória Ramos de Oliveira, Ralph Santos-Oliveira, Alan Silva de Menezes, Beatriz da Silva Batista, Luciana Magalhães Rebêlo Alencar, Luelc Souza da Costa, Pierre Basílio Almeida Fechine (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MXene-Based Wearable Sweat Biosensors for Personalized Health Monitoring: Materials Innovation and Data-Driven Approaches
MXenes, a diverse family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have emerged as highly promising materials for wearable biosensors due to their exceptional conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and mechanical flexibility. Among their most compelling applications is sweat-based health monitoring, which enables non-invasive, real-time access to dynamic physiological information. Unlike previous reviews that broadly survey MXene-enabled wearables, this work provides a unified perspective that integrates human-specific sweat variability, sweat-relevant structure–property relationships of MXene compositions, and data-driven methodologies for adaptive, personalized sensing. Translating MXene-based sensors into robust, personalized platforms requires innovations that extend beyond material design into adaptive signal processing, machine learning calibration, and individualized digital modeling. This review critically examines the structure–property relationships of various MXene compositions and outlines material engineering strategies for enhancing sensitivity, selectivity, and operational stability in sweat environments. Furthermore, it highlights how computational frameworks can calibrate, adapt, and simulate sensor behavior under individualized biochemical conditions. In silico sweat simulation and architecture optimization are also discussed as transformative tools for accelerating biosensor development. By bridging advanced materials with data-driven methodologies, this review establishes a blueprint for the next generation of MXene-based wearable systems capable of intelligent, personalized health monitoring.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ceren Karaman, Onur Karaman, Jun Jiang, Taotao Zhao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Gold Nanoisland Microelectrode Micro-Aptamer Sensor with SWASV Readout for EGFR-Positive Lung Cancer Exosomes
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requires highly sensitive liquid biopsy tools capable of detecting EGFR driven disease and resistance mutations such as T790M, which often evade conventional circulating free DNA assays. Exosomes provide a more reliable biomarker due to their abundance, stability, and enrichment of tumor specific EGFR cargo. Here, we report an ultrasensitive electrochemical microaptasensor specifically designed for the quantitative detection of EGFR positive lung cancer exosomes. The innovation of this work lies in the integration of a thermally dewetted gold nanoisland microelectrode (AuNI ME) which offers a large and Au(111) enriched electroactive surface for high density aptamer immobilization. Additionally, the system utilizes a dual aptamer AND gate recognition strategy using EGFR and CD63 aptamers to ensure exceptional specificity along with a cadmium sulfide quantum dot (CdS QD) amplification system quantified via square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). This multi tiered amplification architecture combines nanostructured electrode design, orthogonal dual aptamer recognition, and QD based metal ion amplification to result in a remarkably low limit of detection of 150 particles/mL. This performance outperforms ELISA, NTA, and recent electrochemical exosome assays. The sensor exhibits excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and stability, and demonstrates high recovery ranging from 97.8% to 105.0% in spiked human serum samples. These results highlight the translational potential of this platform as a noninvasive tool for early NSCLC diagnosis and real time therapeutic monitoring.
Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry
Copyright (c) 2026 Wenxin Yuan, Sicong Jiang, Chenghong Mao, Jiaru Jiang, Ke Zhang, Dongmei Lin, Jianjun Tang (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
New forms of Graphitic Carbon Nitride: The Case of S-gC3N4-Au and the Perspectives of a Theragnostic
This study aimed to develop and characterize a sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S-g-C₃N₄) nanosystem functionalized with gold (S-g-C₃N₄-Au) for potential applications in cancer therapy. The focus was to evaluate its physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity against breast and prostate cancer cells, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and biochemical impact in vivo. To carry out the study, S-g-C₃N₄-Au was synthesized by thermal polymerization of melamine and ammonium sulfate with incorporation of gold seeds. Characterization techniques included SEM, XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis DRS. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays in MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) and DU-145 (prostate cancer) cell lines. The nanosystem was radiolabeled with technetium-99m for biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies in Balb/c mice after intraperitoneal administration. Biochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate systemic effects on the liver, kidneys, and metabolic markers. The results obtained demonstrated that the S-g-C₃N₄-Au nanosystem exhibited a porous, layered morphology with uniformly distributed gold nanoparticles. XRD and FTIR confirmed structural integrity, and SEM, STEM, and EDS confirmed successful gold incorporation. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated significant, dose-dependent reductions in cell viability in both cancer cell lines, with the effects more pronounced at higher concentrations. In vivo, the nanosystem exhibited predominant accumulation in the liver and small intestine, with low systemic clearance and a plasma elimination half-life of 5.53 hours. Biochemical analysis indicated decreased ALT and glucose levels, but elevated AST, LDH-P, and lipase activities, suggesting stress on liver and digestive tissues. This set of results demonstrates that the S-g-C₃N₄-Au nanosystem exhibits favorable physicochemical properties and cytotoxic potential against cancer cells. Its organ-specific biodistribution and prolonged retention highlight its promise for targeted therapy and metabolic modulation. Notably, its ability to be radiolabeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) allows its application in nuclear imaging, further reinforcing its potential as a theranostic platform that integrates diagnostics and therapy in a single nanostructure. However, the observed biochemical alterations reinforce the need for comprehensive toxicological evaluations to ensure safety and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jéssica Ingrid Faria De Souza, Natália Cristina Gomes-da-Silva, Natália Mayumi Andrade Yoshihara, Giulia Sigete-Lobo, Francisco Dheyson de Quadro Carvalho, Pedro Hilton Lima Baracho, Leticia Nogueira Xavier, Lillian Maria Uchôa Dutra Fechine, Tiago Melo Freire, Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar, Alan Silva Menezes, Pierre Basílio Almeida Fechine, Ralph Santos-Oliveira (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Rhubarb Seed Extract for the Effective Removal of Organic Dyes from Aqueous Media: Insights into Isotherm and Kinetics Models
ّImproper disposal of synthetic dyes like methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and acid red 18 (AR18) poses a significant threat to aquatic environments and human health, highlighting the need for efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. This study introduces a novel, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Rhubarb seed extract. It provides a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and rapid method to produce functional adsorbents for treating dye-contaminated wastewater. Thorough characterization confirmed the morphology and composition of the biosynthesized AgNPs through UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Batch adsorption experiments showed outstanding maximum removal efficiencies exceeding 95% for MB, MO, and AR18 under optimal conditions (pH 11, 9, and 5, respectively; 0.8 g adsorbent; 20 minutes contact time; 30 mg/L dye concentration). The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9998 for MB, 0.9994 for MO, 0.9999 for AR18) and pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.9998, 0.9992, and 0.9991, respectively), with maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) of 40.16, 50.76, and 44.64 mg/g. The innovation of this research lies in using Rhubarb seed extract for AgNP biosynthesis, showcasing high performance even for complex dye mixtures while promoting environmental sustainability and economic viability compared to conventional chemical methods. These findings establish Rhubarb seed-derived AgNPs as an effective and innovative platform for advanced wastewater purification.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hamid Reza Heidari, Mohammad Yari, Sajjad Sedaghat, Masoumeh Sayadian, Vida Jodaian (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Silver Nanoparticle-Decorated PCL Scaffolds: In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Effects on Osteogenic Cell Responses
To engineer and evaluate silver nanoparticle-decorated polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds that simultaneously provide antibacterial activity and support osteogenic cell responses for bone tissue engineering. Methods: Electrospun PCL scaffolds were functionalized by in situ chemical reduction of AgNO₃ to generate uniformly distributed AgNPs and then characterized by TEM/XRD, EDS/XPS, FTIR/XRD, and porosity analyses. Antibacterial performance was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by disk diffusion and CFU assays, while MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast responses were assessed by CCK-8 proliferation, ALP activity, and osteogenic gene expression. Results: AgNPs averaged ~22 nm; surface silver content was ~3.2 at% (~0.8 wt%), yielding sustained Ag⁺ release of ~0.4 μg per 50 mg scaffold over 21 days (~80% by day 14). PCL–Ag scaffolds produced inhibition zones of 12.5 ± 0.5 mm (S. aureus) and 11.0 ± 0.4 mm (E. coli) and achieved >99.9% bacterial reduction in suspension. MC3T3-E1 proliferation increased relative to PCL controls (day-7 OD450 2.50 ± 0.15 vs. 2.08 ± 0.12; p<0.01). Early osteogenesis was enhanced, with ALP 1.8× at day 7 and 1.5× at day 14, accompanied by upregulated RUNX2 and BMP2; scaffold porosity and PCL crystallinity were preserved. Conclusions: In situ AgNP decoration confers durable antibacterial activity while promoting osteogenic cell functions, indicating a promising infection-resistant platform for bone regeneration.
Copyright (c) 2026 Xiaogang Zhou, An’nan Hu, Jian Zhou (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Green synthesis of Ag2O/B@OP-CDs nanocomposite for pipette tip solid-phase extraction (PT-SPE) of mercury from food samples: optimization by artificial neural networks (ANN) and evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR)
Mercury contamination in food remains a critical public health concern due to its extreme toxicity and bioaccumulation in the environment. Developing rapid, sensitive, and environmentally sustainable methods for its detection is of great importance. In this study, a biodegradable nanocomposite comprising silver oxide nanoparticles and boron-doped carbon quantum dots derived from orange peel waste was introduced. This material served as a high- performance sorbent for pipette-tip solid-phase extraction of inorganic mercury from food samples. Synthesized via a green hydrothermal process using agricultural waste, the resulting ternary nanohybrid leverages the synergistic affinity of Ag2O and OP-CDs toward Hg (II), yielding exceptional extraction efficiency. Notable advantages included rapid extraction kinetics, minimal consumption of sorbent and solvent, and the elimination of toxic reagents, thereby fully aligning with the principles of green analytical chemistry. Extraction parameters were optimized using chemometric and statistical approaches, specifically artificial neural networks and evolutionary polynomial regression, to ensure robust performance. Under optimized conditions, the method represented trace-level detection capability and excellent precision in diverse food matrices. Comprehensive green metric evaluation confirms the sustainability of the approach. This sustainable, AI-enhanced extraction strategy provides an efficient and practical solution for trace mercury analysis in food, with broad potential in food safety monitoring.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mahboube Shirani, Qamar Salamat, Mahtab Rezaei Payam, Mohammadjavad Jahanshahi, Mohammad Saleh Barghi Jahromi, Mahboobe Amirani Poor, Mustafa Soylak (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Anion-Engineered Cobalt Salts as Exogenous Modulators for Phase Tailoring in CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals: Minimal Doping Towards Enhanced Color Fidelity, and stable White LEDs
Doping colloidal CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) provides an effective strategy to enhance their optoelectronic properties and expand their application potential in display technologies, enabling high color fidelity (Rf) in white-LEDs (WLEDs). Although an excess of Pb²⁺ is known to promote phase-pure and emissive CsPbBr3 NCs, the influence of exogenous dopant precursor chemistry—particularly the counter-anion and the metal ion-to-lead ratio remains poorly understood. In this work, we systematically investigate cobalt precursor identity and Pb: Co feed ratios in Co:CsPbBr3 NCs synthesized by hot injection. Three cobalt salts—CoBr2 (bCo), Co(CH₃COO)₂ (aCo), and Co(NO₃)₂ (nCo), were investigated (0.16–3.35 at% doping). Among the bCo produced the best results, retaining the perovskite phase and high photoluminescence (~60%) at low loading, while aCo and nCo induced non-emissive Cs4PbBr6 formation, and high bCo loading led to nanosheet morphologies. In WLEDs, bCo:CsPbBr3 (8:2) demonstrated high color accuracy, superior stability compared to pristine and other doped NCs. Importantly, bCo:CsPbBr3 retained ~92% of its initial color fidelity over 10 minutes, whereas pristine CsPbBr3 retained only ~78%. Moreover, the WLEDs exhibited a wide color gamut (~122.9% NTSC, ~91.7% Rec. 2020), highlighting the crucial role of dopant precursor selection in optimizing phase stability, doping efficiency, and device performance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hairong Zhao, Anxin Shuai, Ran Huang, Kaliyamoorthy Justice Babu, Muhammad Moin, Chengjie Wang, Mehrunisa Moin, Sonu Kumar, Indra Neel Pulidindi, Arup Neogi, Yixi Wang, Marek Piotrowski, Udayabhaskararao Thumu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Nanostructured Composite Hydrogels Incorporating Antimicrobial Peptides and Osteogenic Factors for Periodontal Regeneration
This study reports the development of an injectable nanostructured composite hydrogel integrating the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and osteogenic growth factor BMP-2 for multifunctional periodontal regeneration. The chitosan/gelatin hydrogel, reinforced with 5% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), exhibited a highly porous structure (~90% porosity) and increased surface area (21.4 m²/g vs. 6.8 m²/g in blank) with homogeneously dispersed nanoparticles, as confirmed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, XPS, and BET analyses. Sustained release was achieved, with LL-37 releasing ~80% and BMP-2 ~60% by day 7, facilitated by nHA binding. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated >99% killing efficiency of Porphyromonas gingivalis, corroborated by live/dead staining and SEM evidence of membrane disruption. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed >90% viability of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), and osteogenic induction assays showed the AMP+BMP hydrogel produced the highest ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation (p < 0.01 vs. controls). Shear strength testing on wet tissue revealed adhesion of 5.12 ± 1.36 kPa for the composite, compared with 3.54 ± 1.08 kPa for blank hydrogels. In a rat periodontitis model, micro-CT analysis at 6 weeks revealed markedly improved bone regeneration in the dual-loaded group, with bone volume fraction reaching 82 ± 5%, CEJ–ABC distance reduced to 0.34 ± 0.08 mm (vs. 0.94 ± 0.11 mm untreated), trabecular number increased to 2.05 ± 0.15 1/mm, and trabecular separation decreased to 0.20 ± 0.03 mm. Histology-based quantification demonstrated extensive new bone bridging (6/8 animals), increased bone area fraction (BA/TA = 66.8 ± 7.5% in AMP+BMP vs 18.7 ± 7.2% No-Tx), reduced osteoclast indices (N.Oc/B.Pm = 0.9 ± 0.2 mm⁻¹; Oc.S/BS = 2.8 ± 0.9%), and higher PDL-like fiber organization scores (median 3 [IQR 2–3]) at 6 weeks. These findings highlight the synergistic antibacterial and osteoinductive efficacy of LL-37/BMP-2/nHA hydrogels as a promising platform for comprehensive periodontal regeneration.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jing Qiao, Guohong Yuan, Jingru Zhao, Xiaohui Yin, Yong Zhang (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Synthesis and Characterization of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Loaded Fibrous Nanosilica for Enhanced Detection of HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells
Accurate delineation of tumor margins remains a clinical challenge in colorectal cancer surgery. To address this, we developed a novel nanosystem by loading 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) onto amine-functionalized dendritic fibrous nanosilica (ALA@KCC-1-NH₂) for enhanced photodynamic diagnosis. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited uniform spherical morphology (average diameter: 455 ± 30 nm), high surface area (352 m²/g for KCC-1), and mesoporous architecture. After functionalization and drug loading, the final formulation retained structural integrity with a drug loading content of 15.3 wt% and encapsulation efficiency of 85.6%. In vitro release studies revealed a pH-responsive profile, with minimal release (<20%) at pH 7.4 and accelerated release (>70%) at pH 5.5 over 24 hours. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed excellent biocompatibility of the blank carrier and significant light-induced cytotoxicity from ALA@KCC-1-NH₂, with an IC₅₀ of 0.45 mM under irradiation—three times lower than that of free 5-ALA (1.38 mM). Confocal microscopy demonstrated a 4.5-fold increase in intracellular protoporphyrin IX fluorescence in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells treated with ALA@KCC-1-NH₂ compared to free 5-ALA. These results indicate that the fibrous nanosilica carrier significantly enhances 5-ALA uptake and fluorescence signal generation, offering a promising strategy for improved intraoperative tumor visualization. The ALA@KCC-1-NH₂ platform thus holds strong potential for advancing fluorescence-guided surgery in colorectal cancer management. Given the ∼455 ± 30 nm particle diameter, the envisioned translational route is topical/endoscopic or intraluminal application (spray/instillation) rather than intravenous delivery.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chuan Jiang, Lin Guo, Li Li, Chunhua Chi, Fengli Jiao, Zhongan Guan, Zhenji Liu, Jiansheng Li (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Chitosan Nanoparticle-Mediated Dual Delivery of Quercetin and Paclitaxel Attenuates EMT and Angiogenesis Via ZEB1 and TIMP-3 Regulation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
This study investigates the therapeutic potential of chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs) loaded with quercetin (Que) and paclitaxel (PTX) against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), focusing on their impact on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical driver of metastasis, using MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and in vivo models. Characterized by an average size of 82–91 nm, a positive zeta potential (+21–27 mV), and high encapsulation efficiencies, the Cs NPs demonstrated potent anti-tumor efficacy. Que-/PTX-loaded NPs significantly enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity by inducing late apoptosis. Furthermore, they suppressed cell migration and inhibited mammosphere formation in 3D cultures, effectively countering the invasiveness associated with EMT. Notably, the NPs downregulated ZEB1, a key EMT-promoting transcription factor, and upregulated TIMP-3, an inhibitor of extracellular matrix degradation, thereby attenuating EMT-driven metastasis. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay revealed a significant reduction in angiogenesis, further supporting their anti-metastatic potential. In vivo, BALB/c nude mice with MDA-MB-231 xenografts treated with Que-/PTX-Cs NPs exhibited 71.79% tumor growth inhibition and reduced metastatic spread, with 64.27% NP accumulation in tumors. These results underscore Que-/PTX-Cs NPs as a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for TNBC, effectively targeting tumor growth, EMT-driven metastasis, and angiogenesis through ZEB1 and TIMP-3 regulation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hamed Dadashi, Amirreza Nazemiyeh, Niloufar Ahdeno, Parniya Kehtari, Samar Mahari, Yadollah Omidi, Somayeh Vandghanooni, Morteza Eskandani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A New Heterogeneous PMO@MXene Catalyst for One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted 5-amino-3-(aryl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile Derivatives
In this study, we report the development of a novel and efficient MXene-based heterogeneous catalyst, PMO@MXene, for the green synthesis of 5-amino-3-(aryl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile derivatives. By integrating periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) into multilayered MXene, a hybrid nanocomposite was achieved that benefits from the high surface area and electrical conductivity of MXene along with the welldefined mesoporosity of PMO. This unique synergy enabled highly efficient catalytic performance under mild, eco-friendly conditions, requiring only a small amount of catalyst and allowing for easy recovery and reuse with minimal loss of activity. The pyrazole derivatives, known for their potential pharmaceutical relevance, were obtained in excellent yields and characterized using standard spectroscopic techniques. Importantly, this work highlights the potential of the PMO@MXene as a sustainable and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst platform for the synthesis of biologically significant heterocyclic compounds.
Copyright (c) 2025 Safa Hnaif, Farhad Shirini, Bahram Ramezanzadeh, Hassan Tajik (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Dimensionality-Driven CQD/TiO2-g-C3N4 Ternary Composites for Boosting Photocatalytic and PEC Performance
Photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are hindered by challenges such as rapid electron-hole recombination, limited visible light absorption, and inefficient charge transport. To overcome these limitations, a ternary composite CQD/TiO₂-g-C₃N₄ was engineered by combining 0D carbon quantum dots (CQDs), 1D TiO₂ nanorods, and 2D g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. This multidimensional structure significantly improves charge separation and transfer that enhances both photocatalytic and PEC efficiency. X-ray diffraction confirmed successful integration of TiO₂ and g-C3N4, with crystallite sizes ranging from 8.1 to 9.3 nm. SEM and TEM analyses showed uniform dispersion of TiO₂ nanorods on g-C₃N₄ sheets, while CQDs (~5–6 nm) were attached to surface, establishing strong interfacial contact for efficient charge movement. UV-vis exhibited a redshift, indicating a narrower band gap, and PL analysis showed reduced electron-hole recombination. Under visible light, composite with 15.0 mL CQD displayed excellent photocatalytic activity, achieving 96.0% degradation of mixed dyes (MO + BPB) with clear linear degradation indicating consistant reaction rate and delivering a high PEC photocurrent density (~33 mA·cm⁻²). CQDs enhance charge separation and lower band gap while multidimension (0D–1D–2D) structure boosts charge transfer. The 0D–1D–2D architecture enhances charge mobility and light utilization, making this material highly effective for environmental cleanup and sustainable energy applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tahira Bano, Shamaila Sajjad, Sajjad Ahmed Khan Leghari, Maria Murtaza, Rehana Riaz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Catalytic and Antibacterial Activities with Molecular Docking Analysis of Chitosan and Polyethylene Glycol-NiO2 Nanostructures
Toxic dyes and microbes in water have an alarming effect on the integrity of the environment and dairy industries. In this study, 2 and 4 % of chitosan (CS) and 3 % of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were incorporated to nickel oxide (NiO2) nanostructures (NSs) to degrade dyes and to kill bacteria effectively, synthesized via the low-temperature co-precipitation technique. The motive of the research is to enhance catalytic and antimicrobial properties through surface modification and the generation of more active sites upon incorporation of dopants. X-ray crystallographic patterns confirm the hexagonal crystal structure of NiO2 and a reduction in crystallite size with doping. The band gap energy of NiO2 increases from 3.17 to 3.25 eV upon doping. TEM elucidates the formation of an interconnected network of nanorods and nanoparticles with reduced agglomeration upon PEG and CS addition. Doping controlled the morphology and charge recombination dynamics of NiO2, which significantly boosts the catalytic and antibacterial potential. Particle size of the NiO2 nanostructures decreases from 34.7 to 24.53 nm with the addition of dopants. Notably, the highly doped sample exhibited maximum RhB degradation of 92.3 % in neutral medium and maximum inhibition zone of 5.25±0.03 mm against gram-negative multiple drug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli) (p<0.05). The computational results correspond with observational data, providing compelling support for the microbial efficacy of CS/PEG-NiO2 in suppressing DNA gyrase.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Imran, Iram Shahzadi, Ali Haider, Mudassir Hassan, Anwar Ul-Hamid, Waseem Safdar, Junaid Haider, Muhammad Ikram (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A High-Sensitivity Sensor with Simultaneous Enhanced Effect with Ionic Liquid and NiO/SWCNTs Catalysts to Create High-Performance Conditions for Vanillin Measurement
Paying attention to the quality of food products and examining its additives, as well as controlling their concentration, are among the most important issues in the food industry. Therefore, various methods of measuring food additives have been proposed in recent years. The present study designed and investigated the performance of an electrochemical sensor prepared with carbon paste (CP) that was simultaneously modified using NiO/SWCNTs nanocomposite and ionic liquid (1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate; [HMIM][BF4]), and evaluated its effect on the oxidation signal of vanillin in food samples. The NiO/SWCNTs nanocomposite was synthesized as conductive catalyst with high surface area by chemical precipitation method and characterized by SEM and MAP analysis. The presence of the NiO/SWCNTs nanocomposite and [HMIM][BF4]increased the oxidation current by 3.22 times and reduced the vanillin oxidation overvoltage by 225 mV, indicating the synergistic role of the two catalysts in the construction of the NiO/SWCNTs/[HMIM][BF4]/PE. The effective parameters such as type of buffer, pH, percentage of catalysts were optimized and results showed phosphate buffer (pH=6.0) can be use as optimum condition in monitoring process. In addition, 20% (v:v) of [HMIM][BF4] and 15% (w:w) of NiO/SWCNTs were selected as optimum condition for fabrication of NiO/SWCNTs/[HMIM][BF4]/PE. The NiO/SWCNTs/[HMIM][BF4]/PE showed a detection limit 0.3 nM for monitoring of vanillin. In the final stage, NiO/SWCNTs/[HMIM][BF4]/PE was used for monitoring of vanillin in different food samples such as biscuit, chocolate and coffee milk with acceptable recovery data.
-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate
Copyright (c) 2025 Ebrahim Halalkhor-Mirkolayi, Azade Ghorbani-HasanSaraei, Mohammad Bagher Limooei, Peiman Ariaii, Seyed-Ahmad Shahidi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Cr2C MXene Modification of an Electrochemical Platform Allows for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of PSMA, a Prostate Cancer Biomarker
Prostate cancer represents a significant global health challenge, being the most common malignancy among men and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The pressing demand for novel diagnostic approaches is evident. In this work, we introduce an advanced biosensor aimed at facilitating rapid and accurate detection of prostate cancer, specifically through the quantification of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The biosensor is constructed by modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a Cr2C MXene nano layer catalyst, combined with a pb2+-binding aptamer (AP) (SPCE/Cr2C MXene/AuNPs/Pb2+-AP). This novel design demonstrates exceptional specificity and affinity for PSMA, enabling highly sensitive quantification across a linear dynamic range of 1.0 to 850 pg/mL. Characterization techniques, including TEM, SEM, EDS, AFM, XPS, BET analysis, and XRD, confirm the success synthesis of the Cr2C MXene layer, which serves as an effective support for integrating the biological recognition element. Given the high mortality associated with prostate cancer and the critical need for early detection, this biosensor offers a promising tool for clinical diagnostics, capable of selectively identifying PSMA in the presence of other biomarkers. The implications of this work extend beyond the laboratory, potentially transforming prostate cancer management and improving patient outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yi Xu, Lijun Wan, Najmeh Zare, Si-Wei Wang, Zhangming Lei (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In Situ Silver Nanoparticle–Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel for Enhanced Wound Healing
A multifunctional hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel incorporating in situ–synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was developed. This method generated uniformly distributed spherical AgNPs (~22 nm) within the HA matrix without the need for toxic reducing agents, resulting in a porous, biodegradable nanocomposite with a high surface area (121.7 m²/g). The hydrogel demonstrated exceptional swelling capacity (>1200%), sustained silver ion release, and potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC 8 µg/mL) and P. aeruginosa (MIC 4 µg/mL) while maintaining >95% viability in human dermal fibroblasts, confirming a favorable therapeutic window. In a full-thickness rat wound model, the HA–AgNP hydrogel achieved >98% wound closure by day 14, accompanied by complete re-epithelialization, dense collagen deposition, and neovascularization, markedly outperforming HA-only and untreated controls. These findings are consistent with recent research trends that emphasize eco-friendly AgNP synthesis and HA-based biomaterials to combine infection control with pro-regenerative effects, minimizing cytotoxicity and supporting rapid, high-quality tissue repair. This work thus presents a clinically translatable, scalable nanoplatform that unites antimicrobial efficacy with regenerative capacity for the treatment of infected and chronic wounds. The hydrogel's performance is driven by a synergistic mechanism where the controlled release of AgNPs provides potent, localized antimicrobial action while the HA matrix creates a pro-regenerative microenvironment, thereby minimizing cytotoxicity and supporting high-quality tissue repair.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yang Li, Juan Xie, Dongsheng Cao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Pretreatment-Free Rapid Detection of Tiamulin in Egg and Milk Samples using Gold Nanoparticles Based on Positive List System Regulations
Tiamulin (TML) antibiotic residues in animal products could pose potential health hazards to consumers. South Korea set the positive list system regulations, where the maximum residue limits of TML in poultry eggs should not exceed 1000 ng/mL. Therefore, we developed a simple and pretreatment-free lateral flow immunoassay based on a highly specific TML antibody conjugated with gold nanoparticles for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of TML. The optimized sensor showed a visual limit of detection of 15 ng/mL for both milk- and egg-spiked samples, with a cut-off value of 100 ng/mL and 180 ng/mL for milk and egg, respectively. The assay demonstrated high recovery in both milk and egg matrices with relative standard deviation values below 12%, confirming its suitability for rapid and reliable determination of TML in complex food samples. As both sample types required no pretreatment and provided visible results within 10 minutes, the sensor is simple, user-friendly, and highly tolerant to matrix interferences. Moreover, it exhibited specific selectivity toward TML, supporting its potential as a promising detection platform for monitoring TML in animal products.
Copyright (c) 2025 Munirah Alhammadi, Sonam Sonwal, Soobin Han, Hanseung Kim, Dong-Hwan Kim, Mi-Hwa Oh, Yun Suk Huh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Development of a Biocompatible PLGA-Based Nanoplatform for Targeted Delivery of Empagliflozin and Enhanced Cytotoxicity against Gastric Carcinoma Cells
Gastric carcinoma remains a formidable global health challenge with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis, necessitating the development of innovative treatment strategies. This study reports the design, synthesis, and comprehensive characterization of a novel biocompatible nanoplatform for the targeted delivery of empagliflozin (EMPA), a repurposed antidiabetic drug, to gastric carcinoma cells. The nanoplatform consists of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core encapsulating EMPA, with a surface functionalized with folic acid (FA) via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker (FA-EMPA-PLGA-NP) to actively target the overexpressed folate receptor (FR) on gastric cancer cells. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a uniform spherical morphology with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 165 nm, a low polydispersity index, and high encapsulation efficiency (>85%). A comprehensive suite of characterization techniques, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and BET, confirmed the successful synthesis, surface modification, and amorphous encapsulation of the drug. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated a sustained, biphasic release profile that was significantly accelerated under acidic conditions (pH 5.5) compared to physiological pH (7.4), indicating a pH-responsive behavior beneficial for the tumor microenvironment. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analyses revealed significantly enhanced cellular uptake of FA-conjugated nanoparticles in FR-positive AGS gastric carcinoma cells compared to non-targeted counterparts. Consequently, the FA-EMPA-PLGA-NPs exhibited markedly superior cytotoxicity, with a significantly lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) than both free EMPA and non-targeted nanoparticles. These findings demonstrate that the FA-EMPA-PLGA-NP system is a highly promising platform for the targeted therapy of gastric carcinoma, warranting further investigation in preclinical models.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shu-Bo Tian, Bin Huo, Hao Liu, Shuai Kong, Ke-Shu Shan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Capparis zeylanica Extract and Their Oxidative and Cytotoxic Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cells
This work uses leaf extract from Capparis zeylanica, a medicinal plant that is seldom investigated for nanomaterial synthesis, to create gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a sustainable manner. According to TEM and SEM, the resultant AuNPs were mostly spherical and ranged in size from 40 to 50 nm. In contrast to previous findings on green synthesis, our study makes use of C. zeylanica's distinct phytochemical makeup, which is rich in flavonoids and glycosides, to improve the creation of nanoparticles and their biofunctionality. While FTIR and GC-MS/MS revealed the participation of extract-derived phenolic and flavonoid chemicals in reduction and stabilization, XRD indicated a face-centered cubic crystalline structure. In HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, these AuNPs biologically caused a dose-dependent rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which increased by 4.0 times at 40 µg/mL. Furthermore, we provide comprehensive mechanistic insight, demonstrating that these AuNPs trigger apoptosis by depolarizing the mitochondrial membrane and activating caspase-3, an element that is often overlooked in previous research. The significant cytotoxicity is confirmed by the IC₅₀ value of 27.5 µg/mL. Overall, this work contributes to the area of green nanomedicine by combining mechanistic confirmation of anticancer effectiveness with robust phytochemical-assisted production.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zeli Li, Shuwen Li (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Synthesis, Surface Chemical Characterization, and Enhanced Osteoblast Response of Strontium-Substituted Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Alveolar Bone Regeneration
Strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) nanoparticles hold significant potential for alveolar bone regeneration due to their dual capacity to modulate bone remodeling. In this study, we synthesized Sr-HA nanoparticles with varying Sr/(Ca+Sr) molar ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) via wet chemical precipitation and systematically characterized their structural, surface, and biological properties. X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and solid-state NMR analyses confirmed a progressive anisotropic lattice expansion and reduction in carbonate and water incorporation with increasing strontium content. Surface analyses using XPS and ToF-SIMS revealed modest Sr²⁺ enrichment at the nanoparticle periphery, correlating with changes in ion release kinetics. In vitro assays using primary rat calvarial osteoblasts demonstrated enhanced proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, mineral deposition, and osteogenic gene expression in response to Sr50, which also showed a favorable burst-plus-sustain Sr²⁺ release profile. These results support a mechanistic model in which moderate Sr incorporation promotes osteogenesis through combined surface-enrichment effects and ionic signaling. Collectively, the findings identify Sr50 as an optimized composition for promoting osteoblastic activity and highlight compositional tuning as a viable strategy for developing next-generation graft materials for alveolar ridge preservation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jing Qiao, Guanghao Wu, Sicong Jiang, Zhang Yong, Feifei Ma, Jian Jiao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Fe3O4/RGO-Ionic liquid Nanocatalyst as Amplifier for Fabrication of Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor in Monitoring of Thallium Environmental Fluids
The analysis of Tl(I) is essential due to its high toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential to cause neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects even at trace levels. In this work, a reduced graphene oxide–magnetite nanocomposite (rGO–Fe₃O₄) combined with the ionic liquid N -butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (N-B-3-MITFB) was used to modify a carbon paste electrode. The resulting rGO–Fe₃O₄/N-B-3-MITFB/CPE was employed for the sensitive detection of Tl(I) in aqueous samples. The electrochemical characteristics of the sensor were systematically investigated using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). This electrode demonstrated strong oxidative activity for Tl(I) at a lower overvoltage (compared to unmodified electrodes), along with a higher current response and enhanced sensitivity. Under optimal conditions (pH 7, accumulation time 400 s, scan rate of 30 mV·s⁻¹), the calibration curve for Tl(I) exhibited a linear range of 0.07–420 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.9 nM. The proposed sensor displayed excellent selectivity for determining Tl(I) levels in the presence of common interfering species (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cr²⁺, Cu²⁺, NO₃⁻). The rGO-Fe3O4/N-B-3-MITFB/CPE showed high analytical performance for Tl(I) analysis in diverse water samples (e.g.,drinking water, well water, and waste water), achieving recoveries of 97.5–102.4%.
Copyright (c) 2025 Somaye Cheraghi, Mohammad Amin Dasar, Mohammad Ali Taher (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Nanostructured functionalised sewage sludge- adsorbent: optimising wastewater remediation using ANN and RSM
Heavy metal pollution in industrial wastewater poses serious environmental challenges. This study investigates the optimization of heavy metal adsorption using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). It focuses on the adsorption capabilities of sewage sludge ash (SSA) for iron (Fe2+), manganese (Mn2+), chromium (Cr3+), and aluminium (Al3+). A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with 25 experiments was created to evaluate three key parameters: temperature (25 – 45°C), solid load percentage (1 – 10%), and contact time (1 – 10 hours). The showed maximum removal efficiencies of 97% for Fe2+, 89% for Mn2+, 97% for Cr3+, and 92% for Al3+ in mono-metal solutions. The functionalised sewage sludge ash had a notable surface area of 7.79 m²/g before adsorption, thereby classifying it as a mesoporous material, which falls within the category of nanoporous material, thus reflecting on enhanced adsorption potential. The ANN-RSM model exhibited strong predictive capability, with an R² of approximately 0.95 and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.086. Sensitivity analysis revealed temperature as the most significant factor affecting adsorption efficiency, followed by contact time and sorbent loading. This research underscores the effectiveness of combining ANN and RSM to optimize heavy metal remediation strategies in wastewater treatment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Meta Mvita, Thandiwe Sithole (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Amphiphilic Graphene Quantum Dots and Their Application in the Dispersion of Graphite
One of the most auspicious and economically sound techniques for generating graphene is recognized as liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE). This empirical investigation has astutely showcased that by functionalizing hydrophilic graphene quantum dots (OH-GQDs) with hydrophobic tridecylamine, an effortlessly devised synthesis approach can be formulated, thereby producing alluringly versatile amphiphilic GQDs. This research aimed to generate a series of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with varying amine values and employ these nanomaterials to disintegrate and distribute pure graphite in water. Adjacent graphene sheets and the GQDs on the graphene surface exhibit attractive van der Waals forces, generating a steric repulsion between them. Based on our research results, it has been found that tridecyl amine functionalized graphene quantum dots (t-GQDs) exhibit the highest ability to stabilize graphene at a greater extent compared to other functional groups. Notably, the graphene concentration peaked when t-GQDs were functionalized at a molar ratio of Amine / Citric acid = 1. Furthermore, we also explored the impact of varying concentrations of amphiphilic GQDs on the yield and dimensions of graphene nanosheets. This study compared the stabilization effects of t-GQDs with those of several other functional groups, including amine, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups. The comparison was based on the degree of graphene dispersion achieved, evaluated through UV-visible spectroscopy, and the stability of the dispersions indicated by zeta potential measurements. Our results showed that t-GQDs provided superior stabilization due to the optimal balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic functionalities, which enhanced both steric and electrostatic stabilization mechanisms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zahra Azimi, Beheshteh Sohrabi, Yasaman Javanmard, Armin Hajipour Keyvani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Developing a New Model for Optimizing Response in Design of Experiments Considering Consumable Factors: Removal of Pollutant from Wastewater with Fe3O4/graphene Nano-sorbent
Removing toxic pollutants, especially colored compounds, from water samples and surface wastewater is one of the most significant and challenging issues in the environmental field. This paper aims to develop a new model for optimizing responses in the Design of Experiments (DoE) by dividing the process into different stages. The process is broken down into several stages based on consumable factors such as time and adsorbent weight. The number of stages increases until the stopping criteria are met. These criteria include restrictions on the cost of adding a new stage and obtaining an unsatisfactory response in the subsequent stage. In this regard, Fe3O4/graphene adsorbent was synthesized using a chemical precipitation strategy and characterized by FESEM, XRD, EDS, and mapping analysis methods. The presence of (220); (400); (422); (511); (440) and (533) layers in XRD pattern confirm Fe3O4 nanoparticle with high purity and crystallinity structure and particle size 45 nm. The removal of Sudan I by the Fe3O4/graphene adsorbent was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken design. The four effective factors are the weight of the adsorbent, time (both consumable factors), pH, and temperature. The proposed model increased the removal percentage significantly, from 65.4% in a single-stage process to 88.67% in a four-stage process. Therefore, it can be concluded that the pollutant removal in this study is much more efficient than the existing method at the same factor levels. It is important to note that increasing the process duration and adsorbent weight will result in higher costs. However, in this model, the high levels of factors remain unchanged due to the increased number of stages. As a result, the costs associated with establishing these factors remain constant. The results show a recovery percentage between 84.1% and 87.5%, for groundwater (well water) and drinking removal that confirming the effectiveness of both the adsorbent and the method for real-world applications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jieying Liu, Yong Go, Ali Behmaneshfar, Abdolhossein Sadrnia, Zhifang Zhang, Rui Dang (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0