Olabisi Onabanjo University

The photocatalysis research community is intensely focused on developing materials that offer a perfect blend of affordability, efficiency, and durability. Herein, novel hybrid Cu2FeSnS4-ZnO (CFTS-ZnO) hetero-structured nanocomposites in three different mass ratios and CFTS were designed by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method, while ZnO nanorods were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The CFTS-ZnO (CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3) nanocomposites, CFTS and ZnO were characterized for their crystal structure, surface morphology, and composition by XRD, HRSEM, TEM, and EDS, while UV–visible spectroscopy was employed to assess their optical properties and photocatalytic performance. XRD confirmed a tetragonal stannite crystal structure for CFTS, a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure for ZnO and a mixture of hexagonal wurtzite and tetragonal stannite crystal structures for CFTS-ZnO (CFZN1, CFZN2 & CFZN3) nanocomposites. The average crystallite sizes were found to be 5.1, 54.9, 58.3, 51.3 and 56.4 nm for CFTS, ZnO, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed nearly spherical morphology for CFTS, well-defined nanorods for ZnO, and uniformly anchored CFTS spheres onto the surfaces of well-defined ZnO nanorods for CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3. The band gaps of CFTS, ZnONRs, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3 were found to be 1.47, 3.47, 2.51, 2.43 and 2.35 eV, respectively. The nanostructures were studied as photocatalysts for degrading malachite green (MG) dye under sunlight illumination. CFTS degraded about 54%, ZnONRs degraded about 51%, whereas CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3 degraded about 47%, 58% and 98% of the initial MG dye within 120 min of exposure to sunlight. The photocatalytic degradation of MG proceeded via first-order kinetics, with rate constants (k) found to be 0.0071, 0.0060, 0.0048, 0.0067, and 0.0127 min−1 for CFTS, ZnONRs, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3, respectively. The findings suggest that the nanomaterials, particularly the CFZN3 nanocomposites, are effective and economical photocatalysts for wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution for organic dye degradation.

The photocatalysis research community is intensely focused on developing materials that offer a perfect blend of affordability, efficiency, and durability. Herein, novel hybrid Cu 2 FeSnS 4 -ZnO (CFTS-ZnO) hetero-structured nanocomposites in three different mass ratios and CFTS were designed by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method, while ZnO nanorods were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The CFTS-ZnO (CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3) nanocomposites, CFTS and ZnO were characterized for their crystal structure, surface morphology, and composition by XRD, HRSEM, TEM, and EDS, while UV–visible spectroscopy was employed to assess their optical properties and photocatalytic performance. XRD confirmed a tetragonal stannite crystal structure for CFTS, a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure for ZnO and a mixture of hexagonal wurtzite and tetragonal stannite crystal structures for CFTS-ZnO (CFZN1, CFZN2 & CFZN3) nanocomposites. The average crystallite sizes were found to be 5.1, 54.9, 58.3, 51.3 and 56.4 nm for CFTS, ZnO, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed nearly spherical morphology for CFTS, well-defined nanorods for ZnO, and uniformly anchored CFTS spheres onto the surfaces of well-defined ZnO nanorods for CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3. The band gaps of CFTS, ZnONRs, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3 were found to be 1.47, 3.47, 2.51, 2.43 and 2.35 eV, respectively. The nanostructures were studied as photocatalysts for degrading malachite green (MG) dye under sunlight illumination. CFTS degraded about 54%, ZnONRs degraded about 51%, whereas CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3 degraded about 47%, 58% and 98% of the initial MG dye within 120 min of exposure to sunlight. The photocatalytic degradation of MG proceeded via first-order kinetics, with rate constants (k) found to be 0.0071, 0.0060, 0.0048, 0.0067, and 0.0127 min − 1 for CFTS, ZnONRs, CFZN1, CFZN2 and CFZN3, respectively. The findings suggest that the nanomaterials, particularly the CFZN3 nanocomposites, are effective and economical photocatalysts for wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution for organic dye degradation.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), widely misused for its euphoric and stimulant properties, induces overt neurotoxicity in rodents and non-human primates and is associated with profound neurochemical and structural brain alterations. Its deleterious effects are primarily mediated through oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory responses, and apoptotic pathways. Glutathione, a crucial endogenous antioxidant, has been proposed as a potential neuroprotective agent capable of mitigating MDMA-induced cerebral damage.Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups and administered oral treatments for 56 days: MDMA (5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg), glutathione (15 mg/kg), or their combinations. After treatment, brain tissues were harvested and evaluated for oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG, MDA, GPx, GSH, GST, SOD), pro-inflammatory cytokines (MPO, NF-κB, TNF-α), ion transport enzymes (Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, Ca²⁺ ATPase), neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, serotonin, AChE), and the apoptotic marker caspase-3. Histological analysis of the hippocampus was conducted to assess structural integrity. MDMA administration led to significant elevations in MDA and 8-OHdG, reductions in antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, GSH, SOD), upregulation of inflammatory mediators (MPO, NF-κB, TNF-α), and disruption of ion homeostasis via altered Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and Ca²⁺ ATPase activities. Neurotransmitter imbalances were observed, characterized by increased AChE and serotonin levels and decreased dopamine. Caspase-3 activity was markedly elevated, indicating enhanced apoptosis. Co-administration of glutathione at low MDMA doses ameliorated these effects, restoring antioxidant defenses, suppressing inflammation, and preserving hippocampal architecture. However, its protective efficacy was notably diminished at higher MDMA concentrations. Glutathione confers partial neuroprotection against MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, particularly under moderate exposure conditions. Its antioxidative capacity contributes to the restoration of redox equilibrium and cellular integrity. Nonetheless, under high-dose MDMA exposure, the therapeutic potential of glutathione is limited, suggesting the necessity for complementary interventions targeting excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction.

This study examines vibrational resonance (VR) in a nonlinear vibratory system subjected to simultaneous weak low-frequency (LF) and strong high-frequency (HF) excitations. Analytical methods, supported by numerical simulations, are employed to examine how the interplay between stiffness parameters and HF signal properties shapes the system’s dynamic response. Results reveal that incorporating negative stiffness elements, in combination with HF forcing, significantly influences the emergence and tunability of VR states. In particular, controlled modulation of the spring constants within the double-well potential regime enables precise resonance tuning. These insights provide a foundation for designing advanced nonlinear vibration control systems capable of suppressing large-amplitude oscillations, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing vibration isolation performance.

The suboptimal ethanol yield in “Burukutu,” a traditional sorghum-based alcoholic beverage, stems from the recalcitrance of the grain’s starch–protein matrix to enzymatic hydrolysis. This study compared the performance of free and alginate-entrapped (2