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Search Results (1,845)

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Keywords = X-ray absorption spectroscopy

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23 pages, 2330 KiB  
Article
Chitosan-Coated Alginate Matrices with Protein-Based Biostimulants: A Controlled-Release System for Sustainable Agriculture
by Daniel Szopa, Katarzyna Pstrowska and Anna Witek-Krowiak
Materials 2025, 18(3), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030591 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 26
Abstract
Developing biodegradable complex fertilizers is crucial for sustainable agriculture to reduce the environmental impact of mineral fertilizers and enhance soil quality. This study evaluated chitosan-based hydrogel coatings for sodium alginate matrices encapsulating amino acid hydrolysates from mealworm larvae, known for their plant growth-promoting [...] Read more.
Developing biodegradable complex fertilizers is crucial for sustainable agriculture to reduce the environmental impact of mineral fertilizers and enhance soil quality. This study evaluated chitosan-based hydrogel coatings for sodium alginate matrices encapsulating amino acid hydrolysates from mealworm larvae, known for their plant growth-promoting properties. The research aims to identify the potential of biopolymer matrices for producing biodegradable slow-release fertilizers and to outline future development pathways necessary for this technology to be usable in the fertilizer industry. Chitosan coatings prepared with citric acid and crosslinked with ascorbic acid optimized plant growth, while those using acetic acid negatively affected it. Water absorption and nutrient release tests showed that chitosan coatings reduced water uptake and slowed initial nutrient release compared to uncoated samples. Leaching assays confirmed controlled-release behavior, with an initial burst followed by stability, driven by alginate–chitosan interactions and ion exchange. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that adding hydrolysate and chitosan increased amorphousness and reduced porosity, improving structural properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated enhanced homogeneity and the presence of chemical interactions, which led to improvements in the material’s thermal stability and chemical characteristics. Biodegradation tests indicated greater durability of chitosan-coated composites, although hydrolysate incorporation accelerated decomposition due to its acidic pH. Germination tests confirmed no phytotoxicity and highlighted the potential of biopolymeric matrices for slow nutrient release. These findings indicate the possibilities of chitosan-coated alginate matrices as sustainable fertilizers, emphasizing the importance of adjusting coating composition and hydrolysate pH for enhanced efficacy and environmental benefits. The main recommendation for future research focuses on optimizing the chitosan coating process by exploring whether adding hydrolysate to the chitosan solution can reduce diffusional losses. Additionally, investigating the use of glycerol in the alginate matrix to minimize pore size and subsequent losses during coating is suggested. Future studies should prioritize analyzing percentage losses during the crosslinking of the alginate matrix, chitosan coating, and final shell crosslinking. This pioneering research highlights the potential for encapsulating liquid fertilizers in biopolymer matrices, offering promising applications in modern sustainable agriculture, which has not been studied in other publications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomaterials)
14 pages, 4258 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Tribological Performance of Phosphorus- and Sulfur-Based Extreme Pressure and Anti-Wear Additives
by Jingyu Wang, Jinhua Zheng, Jun Wang, Xiao Yao, Xing Xiong and Haipeng Huang
Lubricants 2025, 13(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13020055 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 47
Abstract
Higher demands on extreme pressure lubrication performance are posed by stringent working conditions. In this study, the synergistic tribological properties of phosphate ammonium salt in combination with active sulfurized olefin (S1) and non-active sulfurized fatty acids (S2) were investigated to meet the needs [...] Read more.
Higher demands on extreme pressure lubrication performance are posed by stringent working conditions. In this study, the synergistic tribological properties of phosphate ammonium salt in combination with active sulfurized olefin (S1) and non-active sulfurized fatty acids (S2) were investigated to meet the needs under stringent working conditions. The anti-wear mechanisms were further explored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and focused ion beam microscopy. The experimental results indicate that P-S2 demonstrates superior friction reduction and wear resistance under low loads, potentially attributable to its higher polarity, whereas P-S1 exhibits better wear resistance under high loads. P-S1 also shows superior extreme pressure performance attributed to its higher active sulfur content and stronger film-forming ability, evidenced by a thicker friction film (82.62 nm vs. 24.28 nm for P-S2). The study highlights that the variations in the synergistic tribological performance of phosphorus- and sulfur-based additives may link to differences in molecular structure, active sulfur content, polarity, and corrosiveness, with P-S1 demonstrating enhanced extreme pressure performance possibly through the formation of a multi-layered friction film of polyphosphate, sulfide, oligophosphate, and sulfate layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Friction and Wear Mechanism Under Extreme Environments)
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18 pages, 7280 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride Using TiO2/CdS on Nickel Foam Under Visible Light and RSM–BBD Optimization
by Kefu Zhu, Lizhe Ma, Jieli Duan, Zhiyong Fang and Zhou Yang
Catalysts 2025, 15(2), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15020113 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 338
Abstract
This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) using a TiO2/CdS composite nanocatalyst synthesized on flexible nickel foam via a dipping–pull method. By comparing the photocatalytic degradation of TCH by TiO2/CdS with different precursor ratios, it was [...] Read more.
This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) using a TiO2/CdS composite nanocatalyst synthesized on flexible nickel foam via a dipping–pull method. By comparing the photocatalytic degradation of TCH by TiO2/CdS with different precursor ratios, it was found that TiO2/CdS-1.43% exhibited better photocatalytic degradation performance. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the TiO2/CdS composite retains the characteristic peaks of both TiO2 and CdS, indicating the successful formation of the composite. According to the analysis of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), the absorption edge of TiO2/CdS is approximately 530 nm. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show Cd and S evenly, densely distributed in TiO2/CdS, further validating its successful synthesis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that Cd and Ti elements exist in the forms of Cd2+ and Ti4+, respectively. TiO2/CdS loading uniformity on the nickel foam was assessed using super-depth microscopy. The removal efficiency of 10 L of 20 mg/L TCH solution achieved 53.89%, respectively, under response surface methodology—Box–Behnken design (RSM–BBD) optimal conditions (28 g catalyst, 325 rpm, pH = 9.04 within 150 min). Furthermore, five successive cycling experiments demonstrated strong stability, with a catalyst loss of only 4.44%. Finally, free radical scavenging experiments revealed that ·O2 radicals are the primary active species. This study highlights the potential of TiO2/CdS composites supported on nickel foam for efficient photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutants in water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Photocatalytic Treatment of Pollutants in Water)
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12 pages, 5569 KiB  
Article
Structural and Magnetic Properties of Biogenic Nanomaterials Synthesized by Desulfovibrio sp. Strain A2
by Mikhail S. Platunov, Yuriy V. Knyazev, Olga P. Ikkert, Olga V. Karnachuk, Anton D. Nikolenko, Roman D. Svetogorov, Evgeny V. Khramov, Mikhail N. Volochaev and Andrey A. Dubrovskiy
Inorganics 2025, 13(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13020034 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 413
Abstract
This study explores the phase composition, local atomic structure, and magnetic properties of biogenic nanomaterials synthesized through microbially mediated biomineralization by the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio species strain A2 (Cupidesulfovibrio). Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray absorption [...] Read more.
This study explores the phase composition, local atomic structure, and magnetic properties of biogenic nanomaterials synthesized through microbially mediated biomineralization by the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio species strain A2 (Cupidesulfovibrio). Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements, we identified a mixture of vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2·8H2O) and sulfur-containing crystalline phases (α-sulfur). XRD analysis confirmed that the vivianite phase, with a monoclinic I2/m structure, constitutes 44% of the sample, while sulfur-containing phases (α-sulfur, Fddd) account for 56%, likely as a result of bacterial sulfate-reducing activity. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and EXAFS revealed the presence of multiple sulfur oxidation states, including elemental sulfur and sulfate (S6+), underscoring the role of sulfur in the sample’s structure. Mössbauer spectroscopy identified the presence of ferrihydrite nanoparticles with a blocking temperature of approximately 45 K. Magnetic measurements revealed significant coercivity (~2 kOe) at 4.2 K, attributed to the blocked ferrihydrite nanoparticles. The results provide new insights into the structural and magnetic properties of these microbially mediated biogenic nanomaterials, highlighting their potential applications in magnetic-based technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Inorganic Synthesis)
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11 pages, 4983 KiB  
Article
Thin Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbide Layers with Embedded Ge Nanocrystals
by Zdeněk Remeš, Jiří Stuchlík, Jaroslav Kupčík and Oleg Babčenko
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(3), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15030176 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 349
Abstract
The in situ combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and vacuum evaporation in the same vacuum chamber allowed us to integrate germanium nanocrystals (Ge NCs) into hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films deposited from monomethyl silane diluted with hydrogen. Transmission electron [...] Read more.
The in situ combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and vacuum evaporation in the same vacuum chamber allowed us to integrate germanium nanocrystals (Ge NCs) into hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films deposited from monomethyl silane diluted with hydrogen. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used for the microscopic characterization, while photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) and near-infrared photoluminescence spectroscopy (NIR PL) were for optical characterization. The presence of Ge NCs embedded in the amorphous a-Si:C:H thin films was confirmed by TEM and EDX. The embedded Ge NCs increased optical absorption in the NIR spectral region. The quenching of a-SiC:H NIR PL due to the presence of Ge indicates that the diffusion length of free charge carriers in a-SiC:H is in the range of a few tens of nm, an order of magnitude less than in a-Si:H. The optical properties of a-SiC:H films were degraded after vacuum annealing at 550 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nanocomposite Materials)
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16 pages, 8477 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Microcrystalline Silicon Thin Film by Ionized Physical Vapor Deposition Process
by Rimlee Saikia, Bharat Kakati, Tonmoi Hazarika, Shivam Sharma, Tapan Rajbongshi, Mausumi Das, Subir Biswas, Sarathi Kundu and Manoj Kumar Mahanta
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020106 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 498
Abstract
The present manuscript describes the fabrication of microcrystalline silicon (µc-Si) thin films at room temperature using the ionized physical vapor deposition (iPVD) process. The iPVD chamber incorporates a planar DC magnetron and an additional RF coil to generate an intermediate dense plasma region [...] Read more.
The present manuscript describes the fabrication of microcrystalline silicon (µc-Si) thin films at room temperature using the ionized physical vapor deposition (iPVD) process. The iPVD chamber incorporates a planar DC magnetron and an additional RF coil to generate an intermediate dense plasma region between the target and the substrate. The intermediate dense plasma enhances the ionization of sputtered neutral Si atoms before deposition in the iPVD process. This process greatly impacts the structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the Si thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that conventional PVD produces an amorphous Si thin film, while iPVD yields a µc-Si thin film with peaks at 28.5° and 47.3°, corresponding to the (111) and (220) planes of Si. Raman spectroscopy confirms the microcrystalline nature of the Si thin film, showing approximately 70% crystallinity in the iPVD process. FESEM images display a granular structure for PVD and a cauliflower-like structure for the iPVD process. AFM images indicate a significant reduction in surface roughness for iPVD films compared to the PVD process. UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy shows that the optical band gap (Eg) decreases from (1.7 ± 0.08) eV to (1.4 ± 0.05) eV while shifting from the PVD to iPVD process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Crystalline Materials)
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14 pages, 7942 KiB  
Article
One-Pot Synthesis of Zinc-Doped Mesoporous Silica
by Hajar Jabkhiro, Mario Luigi Naitana, Eleonora Marconi, Federica Bertelà, Giovanna Iucci, Ilaria Carlomagno, Chiara Battocchio, Carlo Meneghini and Luca Tortora
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020100 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 368
Abstract
This paper presents an original method for synthesizing Zn-doped mesoporous silica (KCC-1) via a one-pot microemulsion method followed by hydrothermal treatment. Zn incorporation into the silica matrix was achieved by varying Zn/Si molar ratios from 1% to 8%. The Zn-doping effect on KCC-1 [...] Read more.
This paper presents an original method for synthesizing Zn-doped mesoporous silica (KCC-1) via a one-pot microemulsion method followed by hydrothermal treatment. Zn incorporation into the silica matrix was achieved by varying Zn/Si molar ratios from 1% to 8%. The Zn-doping effect on KCC-1 morphological and structural properties was investigated using several characterization techniques, providing new insights into the Zn-doping behavior and coordination environment. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectra confirmed the stoichiometric doping of silica nanoparticles for samples obtained with a precursor concentration of 1%, 3%, and 6%. An attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy highlighted that Zn was included into the KCC-1 matrix rather than chemically adsorbed onto the surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images clearly showed that a low Zn content preserves the KCC-1 fibrous morphology. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the doped nanoparticles, suggesting a structural disorder of the silica framework at higher Zn concentrations. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that Zn–(OH)2 bonds increased at a 6% Zn/Si molar ratio, confirming the disordered inclusion of Zn at this doping limit. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) data revealed that in Zn-doped silica at 3% and 6%, Zn primarily exists in a coordination state similar to zinc-silicates and the amorphous Zn-hydroxyapatite-like phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of International Crystallography)
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18 pages, 5079 KiB  
Article
Epigynum auritum-Derived Near-Infrared Carbon Dots for Bioimaging and Antimicrobial Applications
by Wenfeng Shi, Jiahui Li, Junmei Pu, Guiguang Cheng, Yaping Liu, Shanshan Xiao and Jianxin Cao
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020422 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 378
Abstract
The use of biomass feedstocks for producing high-value-added chemicals is gaining significant attention in the academic community. In this study, near-infrared carbon dots (NIR-CDs) with antimicrobial and bioimaging functions were prepared from Epigynum auritum branches and leaves using a novel green synthesis approach. [...] Read more.
The use of biomass feedstocks for producing high-value-added chemicals is gaining significant attention in the academic community. In this study, near-infrared carbon dots (NIR-CDs) with antimicrobial and bioimaging functions were prepared from Epigynum auritum branches and leaves using a novel green synthesis approach. The spectral properties of the synthesized NIR-CDs were characterized by ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the NIR-CDs were further characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The NIR-CDs exhibited minimal toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and high penetrability in both in vivo and in vitro environments, making them ideal luminescent probes for bioimaging applications. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of NIR-CDs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), showing significant bacterial growth inhibition. The antimicrobial effect is likely attributed to the NIR-CDs disrupting the cell membrane integrity, leading to the leakage of the intracellular contents. Therefore, NIR-CDs hold promise as fluorescent bioimaging probes and antimicrobial agents. Full article
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13 pages, 4758 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Mechanochemically Prepared CePO4∙H2O Nanoparticles as UV Filter for Photoprotective Formulations
by Stanislav Kurajica, Filip Brleković, Sabina Keser, Goran Dražić, Katarina Mužina and Vanesa Mihajlović
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020405 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 518
Abstract
Rhabdophane, CePO4∙H2O, nanoparticles were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis with different durations and thoroughly characterized by various characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the optimal synthesis duration was 15 min, since, in this case, pure rhabdophane is obtained, without [...] Read more.
Rhabdophane, CePO4∙H2O, nanoparticles were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis with different durations and thoroughly characterized by various characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the optimal synthesis duration was 15 min, since, in this case, pure rhabdophane is obtained, without traces of contamination by the vessel material. The size of the obtained nanoparticles, as determined from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, was around 5 nm. According to UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy results, rhabdophane nanoparticles show transparency to visible light and high absorption in the UV region, with a direct bandgap of 3.1 eV. The photocatalytic activity in the Castor oil degradation process and the cytotoxicity for human skin cells were determined and compared to commercial TiO2 nanoparticles, with rhabdophane nanoparticles exhibiting superior properties. Small particle size, purity, absorption in the UV range, transparency to visible light, low photocatalytic activity, and low cytotoxicity indicated the possibility of prepared rhabdophane application as an inorganic UV filter in photoprotective formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Chemistry)
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15 pages, 15119 KiB  
Article
Construction of Honeycomb-like ZnO/g-C3N5 Heterojunction for MB Photocatalytic Degradation
by Sitong Liu, Shicheng Liu, Letao Li, Letong Yang, Xiaodong Wu, Zhichun Si, Rui Ran and Hui Wu
Processes 2025, 13(1), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010253 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 418
Abstract
In this study, a combination of calcination and hydrothermal methods was employed to synthesize a honeycomb-like ZnO/g-C3N5 (ZCN) heterojunction in situ. The ZCN heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits remarkable photocatalytic degradation performance, achieving a 97% methyl blue (MB) degradation rate with the [...] Read more.
In this study, a combination of calcination and hydrothermal methods was employed to synthesize a honeycomb-like ZnO/g-C3N5 (ZCN) heterojunction in situ. The ZCN heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits remarkable photocatalytic degradation performance, achieving a 97% methyl blue (MB) degradation rate with the rate constant of 0.0433 min−1 (almost twice that of ZnO). Optical performance tests reveal that the ZCN heterojunction broadens the absorption edge to 710 nm and enhances the charge carrier separation. The presence of abundant oxygen vacancies, as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, effectively suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Furthermore, density functional theory simulations indicate that the combination of ZnO and g-C3N5 creates an internal electric field due to their differing work functions. This leads to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction that effectively suppresses charge carrier recombination and preserves the strong redox capabilities of ZnO and g-C3N5. Finally, electron spin resonance results indicate that O2 and OH are the primary active radicals involved in the degradation process. This study introduces a potential approach for the development of highly efficient Z-scheme photocatalysts for water treatment applications. Full article
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27 pages, 8078 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of P(AM/AA/SSS/DMAAC-16) and Studying Its Performance as a Fracturing Thickener in Oilfields
by Shuai Wang, Lanbing Wu, Lu Zhang, Yaui Zhao, Le Qu, Yongfei Li, Shanjian Li and Gang Chen
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020217 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
In order to solve the problems of long dissolution and preparation time, cumbersome preparation, and easy moisture absorption and deterioration during storage or transportation, acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS), and cetyl dimethylallyl ammonium chloride (DMAAC-16) were selected as raw [...] Read more.
In order to solve the problems of long dissolution and preparation time, cumbersome preparation, and easy moisture absorption and deterioration during storage or transportation, acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS), and cetyl dimethylallyl ammonium chloride (DMAAC-16) were selected as raw materials, and the emulsion thickener P(AM/AA/SSS), which can be instantly dissolved in water and rapidly thickened, was prepared by the reversed-phase emulsion polymerization method. DMAAC-16, the influence of emulsifier dosage, oil–water ratio, monomer molar ratio, monomer dosage, aqueous pH, initiator dosage, reaction temperature, reaction time, and other factors on the experiment was explored by a single-factor experiment, and the optimal process was determined as follows: the oil–water volume ratio was 0.4, the emulsifier dosage was 7% of the oil phase mass, the initiator dosage was 0.03% of the total mass of the reaction system, the reaction time was 4 h, the reaction temperature was 50 °C, the aqueous pH was 6.5, and the monomer dosage was 30% of the total mass of the reaction system (monomeric molar ratio n(AM):n(AA):n(SSS):n(DMAAC-16) = 79.2:20:0.5:0.3). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy analysis were carried out on the polymerization products. At the same time, a series of performance test experiments such as thickening performance, temperature and shear resistance, salt resistance, sand suspension performance, core damage performance, and fracturing fluid flowback fluid reuse were carried out to evaluate the comprehensive effect and efficiency of the synthetic products, and the results show that the P(AM/AA/SSS/DMAAC-16) polymer had excellent solubility and excellent properties such as temperature and shear resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Chemistry)
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16 pages, 2864 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Cadmium Oxide (CdO)-Incorporated Indium–Tin Oxide (ITO) Nanoparticles for Photocatalysis
by Habtamu Fekadu Etefa and Francis Birhanu Dejene
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9010043 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
This study investigates the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles (NPs) and indium–tin oxide (ITO)-doped CdO NPs. The synthesis of CdO NPs and ITO NPs was accomplished through the co-precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicates that pure [...] Read more.
This study investigates the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles (NPs) and indium–tin oxide (ITO)-doped CdO NPs. The synthesis of CdO NPs and ITO NPs was accomplished through the co-precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicates that pure CdO NPs exhibit agglomerated structures, whereas ITO doping introduces porosity and roughness, thereby improving particle dispersion and facilitating electron transport. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) corroborates the successful incorporation of tin (Sn) and indium (In) within indium–tin oxide (ITO)-doped cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles (NPs) in addition to cadmium (Cd) and oxygen (O). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrates that an increase in ITO doping results in a reduction of the crystallite size, decreasing from 23.43 nm for pure CdO to 18.42 nm at a 10% doping concentration, which can be attributed to lattice distortion. Simultaneously, the band gap exhibits a narrowing from 2.92 eV to 2.52 eV, achieving an optimal value at 10% ITO doping before experiencing a slight increase at higher doping concentrations. This tuneable band gap improves light absorption, which is crucial for photocatalysis. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) highlights the superior efficiency of ITO-doped CdO nanoparticles, achieving a remarkable 94.68% degradation under sunlight within 120 min, up 81.01%, significantly surpassing the performance of pure CdO. The optimal RhB concentration for achieving maximum degradation was determined to be 5 mg/L. This enhanced catalytic activity demonstrates the effectiveness of ITO-doped CdO NPs under both UV and visible light, showcasing their potential for efficient pollutant degradation in sunlight-driven applications. Full article
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11 pages, 3482 KiB  
Brief Report
Easy One-Pot Decoration of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets by Green Silver Nanoparticles
by Ileana Ielo, Federica De Gaetano, Elpida Piperopoulos, Giovanna De Luca and Sabrina Conoci
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020713 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 617
Abstract
In this study, we developed a facile one-pot synthesis of a nanocomposite consisting of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) growing over graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes (AgNPs@GO). The process consists of the in situ formation of AgNPs in the presence of GO nanosheets via the spontaneous [...] Read more.
In this study, we developed a facile one-pot synthesis of a nanocomposite consisting of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) growing over graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes (AgNPs@GO). The process consists of the in situ formation of AgNPs in the presence of GO nanosheets via the spontaneous decomposition of silver(I) acetylacetonate (Ag(acac)) after dissolution in water. This protocol is compared to an ex situ approach where AgNPs are added to a waterborne GO nanosheet suspension to account for any attractive interaction between preformed nanomaterials. The systems under investigation are characterized by UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (Z-Pot), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The stability of the AgNPs@GO composite suspension is tested as a function of GO concentration (0–67 μg/mL) while maintaining a constant Ag content (14.4 μg/mL), exhibiting excellent stability over time up to an Ag-to-GO mass ratio of 0.58. Full article
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17 pages, 7192 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dy3+ Ions on Structural, Thermal and Spectroscopic Properties of L-Threonine Crystals: A Visible Light-Emitting Material
by João G. de Oliveira Neto, Otávio C. da Silva Neto, Jéssica A. O. Rodrigues, Jailton R. Viana, Alysson Steimacher, Franciana Pedrochi, Francisco F. de Sousa and Adenilson O. dos Santos
Quantum Beam Sci. 2025, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs9010003 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 392
Abstract
In this study, L-threonine crystals (L-thr) containing Dy3+ ions (L-thrDy5 and L-thrDy10) with varying mass concentrations (5% and 10%) were successfully synthesized using a solvent slow evaporation method. The structural properties were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. The data [...] Read more.
In this study, L-threonine crystals (L-thr) containing Dy3+ ions (L-thrDy5 and L-thrDy10) with varying mass concentrations (5% and 10%) were successfully synthesized using a solvent slow evaporation method. The structural properties were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. The data revealed that all three samples crystallized in orthorhombic symmetry (P212121-space group) and presented four molecules per unit cell (Z = 4). However, the addition of Dy3+ ions induced a dilation effect in the lattice parameters and cell volume of the organic structure. Additionally, the average crystallite size, lattice microstrain, percentage of void centers, and Hirshfeld surface were calculated for the crystals. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis experiments showed that L-thr containing Dy3+ ions are thermally stable up to 214 °C. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy results indicated that the Dy3+ ions interact indirectly with the L-thr molecule via hydrogen bonds, slightly affecting the crystalline structure of the amino acid. Optical analysis in the ultraviolet–visible region displayed eight absorption bands associated with the electronic transitions characteristic of Dy3+ ions in samples containing lanthanides. Furthermore, L-thrDy5 and L-thrDy10 crystals, when optically excited at 385 nm, exhibited three photoluminescence bands centered around approximately 554, 575, and 652 nm, corresponding to the 4F7/26H11/2, 4F9/26H13/2, and 4F9/26H11/2 de-excitations. Therefore, this study demonstrated that L-thr crystals containing Dy3+ ions are promising candidates for the development of optical materials due to their favorable physical and chemical properties. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the synthesis of these systems is cost-effective, and the synthesis method used is efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering and Structural Materials)
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14 pages, 4642 KiB  
Article
Dissolution and Pharmacokinetic Studies of Paracetamol-4,4′-Bipyridine Cocrystals Obtained Using Four Methods
by Xiaoming Zhang, Yejia Huang, Jinliang Li, Yiying Chen and Jialing Lian
Crystals 2025, 15(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15010070 - 12 Jan 2025
Viewed by 710
Abstract
Paracetamol-4,4′-bipyridine cocrystals were synthesized using a solution method, reflux method, grinding method, and ultrasonic method. The structures and properties were characterized through the utilization of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), [...] Read more.
Paracetamol-4,4′-bipyridine cocrystals were synthesized using a solution method, reflux method, grinding method, and ultrasonic method. The structures and properties were characterized through the utilization of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis (EA), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results show that the four methods synthesized different cocrystal morphologies, but the same structure and properties coupled with a notably high purity level. All featured strong hydrogen bonds formed between the paracetamol,4,4′-bipyridine and water molecules. An additional notable feature is the presence of π...π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings of adjacent 4,4′-bipyridine molecules. The solubility of paracetamol (active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) and the cocrystal was measured and discussed. In the dissolution experiment, the cocrystal showed a much faster dissolution rate than the API in simulated gastric fluid media (pH = 1.2). Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of the cocrystal and the API was investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy for enhancing the oral absorption of paracetamol. The in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the paracetamol-4,4′-bipyridine cocrystal possessed an excellent dissolution behavior and an improved pharmacokinetic profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crystal Engineering)
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