Pure, Azadiracta indica (AI)-mediated and europium (Eu)-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized using green synthesis method and extensively characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) presented a pure hexagonal wurtzite phase over all samples with crystallite size ranges 17–80 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed characteristic Zn–O bond vibrations. UV–Visible spectroscopy disclosed a tunability in optical bandgaps 3.60 eV for Pure ZnO, 3.25 eV for AI-ZnO and 2.98 eV for Eu-ZnO NPs, demonstrating the effect of synthesis parameters and Eu doping on optical properties. The synthesized NPs were evaluated for their antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis), and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, and demonstrating superior performance due to tuned optical bandgap. AI-ZnO NPs were found to be comparatively more effective against all bacterial species whereas P-ZnO and Eu-ZnO NPs effective against only Bacillus cereus.
Fast Atomic Sequential Technology is a novel proposed solution for the conformal deposition of SiO2 insulating films, TiN barrier layers, and Cu seed layers into through silicon via structures. Based on pulse engineering of precursor/reactant/plasma introduction, specific film properties were improved. First, step coverage values of approximately 25, 50, and 75
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be synthesized through several solution-based approaches which may involve compounds of environmental concern or uncompleted reactivity resulting in not negligible waste. In this study, a specific protocol for the green synthesis of AgNPs in an aqueous environment is presented. It was shown that a limited amount of silver nitrate as precursor and ascorbic acid as reducing agent could be used employing zein (a corn protein) as a stabilizer. The as-prepared AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Colloidal stability was evaluated by zeta potential measurements. The outcomes substantiate the efficacy of the proposed methodology, which is a straightforward approach for the synthesis of AgNPs with optimal colloidal properties. AgNPs can be then processed for direct implementation in (bio)polymers to develop sustainable materials of potential interest in food packaging, as well as in biomedical applications.
Barium zirconate titanate (BT–BZT) is a lead-free ferroelectric material with attractive dielectric and piezoelectric properties, making it a promising candidate for multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) and energy-storage applications. In this study, (0.8)BaTiO3–(0.2)BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 thin films were successfully fabricated using a sol–gel method and annealed at relatively low temperatures of 700 and 750 °C. The study emphasizes the relationship between annealing-induced microstructural evolution and the resulting optical and dielectric properties. Structural and morphological characteristics were analyzed using XRD and FESEM, while optical properties were examined via UV–Vis spectroscopy and dielectric behavior through impedance spectroscopy. The films exhibited bandgap energies of 3.24–3.25 eV, along with improved crystallinity and grain growth at higher annealing temperatures. High dielectric constants exceeding 281.95 were achieved in the frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz. The enhanced dielectric performance at higher annealing temperature highlights the potential of BT–BZT thin films for efficient, low-temperature MLCC fabrication.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a 5 mM AgNO3 solution and 2.5 mg/mL of matcha tea extract at two different temperatures, 23 °C and 80 °C. Analysis of transmission electron micrographs revealed that the smallest nanoparticles were obtained at 80 °C. The corresponding size distribution was fitted with a Gaussian function centered at 26 nm. In contrast, the nanoparticle distribution at 23 °C required fitting with two Gaussian functions, with the smaller size being the most prevalent (centered at 19.6 nm) and the larger population centered at 43.6 nm. The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles was evaluated against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ATCC 27853 using the microdilution method, with bacterial growth monitored by absorbance measurements at 600 nm. After 24 h AgNPs at 80 °C exhibited a significant inhibitory antibacterial effect.
The present work aims to fill the gap of previous literature data regarding the improvement of the ferroelectric ceramic of PbZrO3, which are widely applied in energy storage devices. This study analyzes the structure and ferroelectricity of (PbZrO3)0.9(BaTiO3)0.1 ceramics synthesized from nanopowders using solid-phase sintering. Temperature dependences of permittivity, third harmonic coefficient, and spontaneous polarization were measured, allowing for a comprehensive characterization of the formation of the polar phase. It was found that the synthesis of lead zirconate ceramics with the addition of barium titanate nanoparticles (200 nm) results in the formation of a rhombohedral phase. The maximum permittivity reaches approximately 18,000, and the spontaneous polarization value is 55 μC/cm2. Besides, the response of nanoceramic solid solutions based on (PbZrO3)0.9(BaTiO3)0.1 to measuring frequency is also reported and discussed.
This study evaluates the adsorption performance of Mg–Al–CO₃ hydrotalcites for the removal of Red No. 2, Blue No. 1, and Yellow No. 5 in binary systems. The materials were characterized by FTIR and TEM, and adsorption experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. Calcined hydrotalcites exhibited higher adsorption capacities in single-dye systems, suggesting that calcination enhances adsorption performance. In binary mixtures, adsorption equilibrium was reached within 50 min. Adsorption capacities were expressed in meq/g. Although the total adsorption capacity remained significant in binary systems, competitive effects altered the distribution of each dye on the adsorbent surface compared to individual systems. Kinetic analysis revealed that the Red–Blue and Red–Yellow systems followed a pseudo-first-order model, while the Blue–Yellow system was better described by the pseudo-second-order model. Overall, Mg–Al hydrotalcites demonstrated high efficiency and selectivity for the treatment of multicomponent dye-containing wastewater.
This paper investigates the wake-up phenomenon in ferroelectric Hf_xZr_1-xO_2 (HZO) thin films for non-volatile memory integration. While optimizing the Hf content (x) and film thickness can mitigate the initial pinched loop behavior, both pathways incur severe penalties in remanent polarization ( 2P_r ) or coercive field ( 2E_c ). To address high-reliability demands, we evaluate aluminum-co-doped HZO (HZAO), which provides superior automotive-grade stability but inherently exacerbates the initial wake-up effect. By systematic tuning of the crystallization thermal budget, we successfully eliminate this bottleneck. While low-temperature annealing ( 400 ^∘C ) results in a severely suppressed normalized polarization ratio ( R_P≈ 0.25 ), an 800 ^∘C thermal budget yields wake-up-free HZAO films ( R_P≈ 0.99 ) with high 2P_r values ( ∼ 40 C/cm^2 ). Crucially, unlike undoped HZO, which severely degrades due to leakage currents at these temperatures, the HZAO films maintain a pristine ferroelectric loop shape without any structural degradation, offering a clear pathway for immediate device utilization without extensive preconditioning.
ZnO and Ag@ZnO hybrid were synthesized using Aloe vera extract through a green-assisted precipitation method. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, FESEM-EDX, and HRTEM analyses. XRD confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO with Ag nanoparticles, while microscopic analyses verified the hybrid structure. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and eosin yellow (EY) under UV irradiation. The Ag@ZnO hybrid exhibited superior photocatalytic performance, achieving degradation efficiencies of 95
Resistive random-access memory is a leading candidate for next-generation non-volatile memory and neuromorphic computing, but fabricating statistically meaningful device populations at sub-micron dimensions remains challenging in academic settings. We present a hybrid-lithography test-vehicle platform combining photolithography for large-scale interconnects with electron-beam lithography for sub-micron patterning, achieving overlay errors below 30 nm while reducing write time by 4 × through optimized alignment strategies for the chiplet layouts studied here. The standardized 20 × 20 mm coupon architecture, subdivided into 2 × 2 mm chiplets housing 32-bit and 128-bit memory arrays, supports multiple material stacks across substrates. NiO-based metal–insulator–metal devices fabricated at 500 nm and 3 µm both exhibit stable unipolar resistive switching with ON/OFF ratios 103, comparable SET/RESET voltage distributions, and filamentary conduction behavior. This platform provides a scalable, reproducible foundation for BEOL-compatible resistive datasets and standardized benchmarking of emerging switching materials can be built in academic environments.
Nitisinone inhibits 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) to treat tyrosinemia type 1, but its mechanism may extend to controlling haematophagous parasites. Recent research shows that mosquitoes ingesting this compound through treated human blood die from HPPD inhibition. This observation opens the possibility of repurposing Nitisinone against disease-transmitting parasites. We therefore conducted a quantum-level investigation using density functional theory (DFT) to characterise Nitisinone and identify the specific regions and atoms conferring its biological activity. Our analysis successfully located the active sites responsible for enzyme inhibition. These findings support our theoretical proposal to repurpose Nitisinone against haematophagous vectors, including mosquitoes, bedbugs, and ticks, to prevent diseases such as malaria. The quantum model we developed provides a valuable foundation for designing more effective treatments and species-specific drugs against insecticide-resistant haematophagous parasites.
This study investigates how precursor composition and reactor filling volume influence the hydrothermal synthesis of carbonaceous nanomaterials derived from sucrose and citric acid. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to examine morphological evolution and elemental composition at specific filling volumes in a hydrothermal reactor. Variations in the filling factor (30, 50, and 70
Abstract Persistent luminescence (PersL) in Eu 3+ -doped ZrO 2 was investigated as a potential alternative approach for radiation dosimetry under beta-particle irradiation. ZrO 2 :Eu 3+ powders with different dopant concentrations were synthesized by solid-state reaction and structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, confirming the formation of monoclinic ZrO 2 and effective Eu 3+ incorporation. TL and PersL measurements reveal the presence of shallow trapping centers, mainly associated with a low-temperature TL glow peak at 61 °C, which are responsible for the PersL emission. The sample doped with 5 mol% Eu 3+ exhibits enhanced PersL intensity, a nearly linear dose–response in the range of 0.078 to 23.4 Gy, and improved repeatability over multiple irradiation–readout cycles. These results demonstrate that ZrO 2 :Eu 3+ is a promising candidate for persistent luminescence-based radiation dosimetry.
This study investigated the application of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE)-crosslinked chitosan films for the removal of cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. Representative anionic dyes (Yellow 5 and Yellow 57) and representative cationic dyes were evaluated. The films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), moisture content analysis, point of zero charge (pHpzc) determination, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after adsorption. SEM revealed marked morphological changes after adsorption, with porous film surfaces becoming covered by amorphous deposits, more pronounced for Yellow 5. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of EGDE-induced crosslinks through C–O–C ether linkages and the involvement of amino and hydroxyl groups in dye adsorption. pKa analysis and surface charge considerations indicated that adsorption is governed by protonation–deprotonation equilibria and electrostatic interactions between dye ionic groups and protonated chitosan amino sites (NH3⁺). Maximum adsorption capacities were 984.9 mg·g−1 for Yellow 5 and 229.9 mg·g−1 for Yellow 57, with equilibrium times of 8 h and 48 h, respectively. Kinetic data fit a pseudo-second-order model, consistent with chemisorption as the dominant mechanism, and thermodynamic analysis indicated an endothermic process for Yellow 5 and an exothermic process for Yellow 57 at neutral pH. These results demonstrate that EGDE-crosslinked chitosan films are effective, sustainable, and economically attractive materials for the removal of both cationic and anionic synthetic dyes from aqueous effluents.
A highly sensitive and selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensor for the potentiometric determination of Pb2+ ions was developed using 3-hydroxy-4-[(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)azo]-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid as an ionophore. The sensor exhibited a Nernstian response with a slope of 29.25 ± 0.82 mV/decade over a wide linear concentration range of 1.0 × 10–5–1.0 × 10–1 M (R2 = 0.9998) and a low detection limit of 4.35 × 10–6 M, demonstrating high sensitivity. The newly developed sensor exhibited excellent repeatability and high selectivity against a wide range of potentially interfering ions, including alkali and alkaline earth metals. The sensor had a rapid response time of less than 10 s and a wide operational pH range of 5.0–9.0. Its applicability was successfully demonstrated for the determination of Pb2+ in environmental water samples, yielding recoveries greater than 95.5
Titanium nitride-reinforced AA7075-Zn alloy composites were successfully synthesized via the stir-casting technique, and their microstructural, hardness, and wear behaviors were investigated. Microstructural analysis revealed a uniform dispersion of TiN particles within the AA7075-Zn matrix, contributing to grain refinement and enhanced interfacial bonding. The microhardness of the composites significantly increased from 62 HV0.1 for the AA7075 alloy to 152 HV0.1 for the 5 wt
Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the O K -edge and Co L -edge was used to study PrBaCo2O6−δ. The O K -edge spectra show a hole-doping pre-edge peak preceding the O2p–Co3d doublet, whose relative spectral weight correlates with conductivity, lattice parameters, and Curie temperature. The results establish a spectroscopic link between oxygen hole states and transport in this layered cobaltite.
In recent years, researchers worldwide have made significant strides toward a more environmentally friendly approach to producing CSs. The utilization of recycled and renewable precursors in the synthesis of CSs has been explored, with CVD being selected due to its versatility in managing a variety of precursors. The CSs have demonstrated their feasibility for use in a variety of applications due to their unique characteristics. This snapshot review outlines the synthesis of CSs by CVD from a variety of recycled and renewable precursors. Additionally, a range of applications is enumerated, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of CSs in polymer composites and as promoters of domestic and forest seeds germination.
Photovoltaic devices are usually qualified at room temperature and standard illumination. However, actual operation conditions change significantly during a day or year, influencing cell performance—especially in tandem cells—yet, the temperature-dependence of optical parameters such as bandgap and absorption in PV materials is often overlooked. Understanding these effects, therefore, is essential for proper cell architecture optimization and accurate energy yield estimation. In this study, methylammonium-lead-triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite layers were fabricated using sequential PVD technique and compared to slot-die coated samples from industrial source, and their optical properties were measured using spectroscopic ellipsometry at temperatures from 25 to 65 °C. The layers featured temperature coefficients of approx. + 0.54 meV/°C for the optical bandgap, and − 0.1
We investigate the frustrated Shastry–Sutherland–Kondo lattice model using the variational cluster approximation to study the competition among antiferromagnetism, Kondo screening, and geometric frustration. The model incorporates electron hopping, Coulomb correlations, Kondo exchange, and diagonal frustrating interactions, providing a unified framework for competing magnetic and singlet phases. By exploring the ground-state phase diagram in the (J/t, U/t), (J/t,J_K/t) , and (J/t,t'/t) parameter spaces, we show that long-range Néel order is stabilized at weak Kondo coupling, while stronger Kondo screening suppresses magnetism in favor of a Kondo singlet phase. Increasing frustration strongly reduces the antiferromagnetic region and promotes nonmagnetic singlet states. Our results reveal a substantial modification of the conventional Doniach scenario, where frustration introduces an additional mechanism for singlet formation, highlighting the cooperative roles of correlations, Kondo physics, and lattice geometry in frustrated quantum materials.
