Nanoalloy clusters have emerged as valuable materials for the building block of nanodevices. Bimetallic nanoalloy clusters exhibit the distinctive inimitable catalytic, optoelectronic and magnetic characteristics. In this report, neutral, cationic and anionic bimetallic [RePd]Z [Z = 1–8] nanoalloy clusters are examined through density functional theory approach. Geometry optimization of [RePd] clusters is performed using Gaussian 16. Functional B3PW91/LANL2DZ is chosen to optimize the structure of [RePd]. Lowest energy structure and isomers of [RePd]Z are identified. Relative stabilities, binding energy and Δ_2E of [RePd]Z clusters is calculated. Binding energy rises with the value of Z, except at Z = 4. Magic number of relative stabilities is observed for [RePd]5. HOMO-LUMO gap of [RePd]Z, [RePd]_Z^+ and [RePd]_Z^- clusters fluctuate from 0.978 to 1.552 eV, 0.564 to 2.033 eV and −0.769 to 1.119 eV, respectively. In case of neutral clusters, [HOMO-LUMO]max and [HOMO-LUMO]min are found at Z = 4 and Z = 6, respectively. CDFT-based descriptors are determined. [RePd]Z clusters at Z = 4 exhibit largest VIP, hardness and electronegativity. Optical and thermochemical characteristics of [RePd] clusters are also studied. [RePd]Z clusters displayed direct correlation between HOMO-LUMO and optical electronegativity whereas contrary relation among HOMO-LUMO and refractive index. Thermochemical parameters increase with the function of Z. Result exhibits that bimetallic [RePd] nanoalloy clusters may be suitable for applications in solar cells, nonlinear optical systems and building blocks for nanodevices.
This work describes the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical application of an innovative hexagonal closed-packed and cubic face-centered AuNPs/Cdots/MWCNTs hybrid nanostructure obtained by directly reducing gold citrate in an alcoholic solution of carbon dots. UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, HR-TEM, XPS, and electrochemical techniques have been used to characterize this hybrid nanostructure. The AuNPs/Cdots/MWCNTs hybrid nanostructure has been dispersed on a carbon-screen-printed electrode surface, showing excellent electrocatalytic activity for the determination of 17α-ethinylestradiol in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 6) by differential pulse voltammetry, with a detection limit of 67 nmol L−1. The detection of 17α-ethinylestradiol was also performed in the presence of potential interferents, including ascorbic acid, dopamine, progesterone, and glucose, which did not significantly interfere with the determination. The detection was also performed in tap water and urine.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are widely used in clinical MRI, yet their utility is constrained by low relaxivity, rapid clearance, and safety concerns associated with Gd3⁺ release, driving the need for safer and more efficient alternatives. In this study, we employed surface ligand engineering to achieve enhanced T₁ relaxivity while maintaining a low r₂/r₁ ratio for high-quality T₁ imaging. Ultrasmall citrate-coated Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles (Gd₂O₃-Cit) were synthesized via a two-step ligand exchange strategy. At 3.0 T, the nanoparticles exhibit an r₁ of 8.714 mM⁻1 s⁻1, approximately 2.3-fold higher than Magnevist. Critically, the r₂/r₁ ratio is as low as 1.06, approaching the theoretical optimum of unity and one of the lowest reported values for Gd₂O₃-based T₁ contrast agents. In vivo T₁-weighted MRI demonstrates notable vascular enhancement in the liver, with a plasma elimination half-life of 113.8 min. Cytotoxicity, hemolysis, and short-term histological assessments indicate preliminary biocompatibility under the conditions tested. These findings demonstrate that surface ligand engineering can effectively enhance T₁ relaxivity while maintaining a low r₂/r₁ ratio with minimal T₂ interference, offering a design strategy for high‑performance T₁ contrast agents.
Graphene nanosheets were incorporated into P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) films at concentrations of 0–0.01 wt
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are effective biological control agents that have demonstrated efficacy against a broad range of insect pests and generally exhibit low adverse effects on non-target organisms under recommended application conditions. Even though they showed advantages, their large-scale application is limited by various factors, viz., low tolerance to environmental stresses, reduced persistence under field conditions, and other challenges in storage and delivery. In the current scenario, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool to address the above-mentioned constraints and boost the insecticidal potential of biological control agents like EPNs. The integration of nanotechnology with EPNs offers new prospects in next-generation pest management. The nano-based formulations, such as nanoemulsions, nanocarriers, and nano-based coatings, can improve nematode survival, stability, and infectivity. All these systems protect the EPNs from harsh environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, ultraviolet radiation, and desiccation, and also permit controlled and targeted release and target-specific release. The nano-enhanced EPNs resulted in improved efficiency of pest management, even by reducing application frequency. This integrated approach aligns with the principles of eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture by reducing dependency on chemical insecticides and supporting integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The various challenges associated with environment safety, production costs, and regulatory approvals must be handled carefully. Constant research, as well as field validation, is essential to understand the combined potential of EPNs with nanotechnology for effective and sustainable pest management tactics.
Nanocarrier-based drug delivery displays substantial rewards over conventional drug delivery systems. However, conventional drug delivery systems face numerous challenges, such as lack of targeted delivery, fluctuation in drug release and possible side effect, frequent dosing requirements, environmental hazards, and high costs. To respond this issue, there is an urgent need to design an innovative tactic to overwhelm the restrictions of current methods. Fortunately, in recent decades, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have emerged as a promising class for drug delivery due to their unique multimodal properties, such as greener nature, non-toxic and cost-effective solvents. NADES-integrated nanocarriers resolve the challenges associated with the poor solubility of drugs and phytochemicals. This review comprehensively discusses NADES as sustainable solvents, including their synthesis methods and compositions, an overview of NADES-based nanocarriers along with a comparative analysis of their advantages and disadvantages, and mechanisms of NADES-based nanocarrier systems. Furthermore, it highlights the novel use of NADES-based nanocarriers in drug delivery, wound healing, anti-inflammatory therapy, anticancer and dry eye syndrome management, cosmeceuticals, and the biomedical field. This review identifies challenges, research gaps, and opportunities for translating NADES-based nanocarrier technologies from laboratory-scale to clinical and industrial applications. Lastly, this review may serve as a theoretical foundation for the broader application of NADES-based nanocarriers in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
The presence of antibiotic pollutants in wastewater poses a significant threat to public health and the environment, contributing to the rise of antibiotic resistance and the disruption of ecosystems. Effective strategies are urgently needed to transform these hazardous compounds into environmentally safe products. In this study, we report the synthesis and catalytic performance of a cost-effective polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized nickel nitroprusside nanocatalyst for the reduction of metronidazole (MNZ). The nanocatalyst was synthesized via a simple, low-cost chemical co-precipitation method, avoiding the use of hazardous solvents. The nanocatalyst was systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), dynamic light scattering (DLS) with zeta potential measurements, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, to investigate its structural, morphological, colloidal, and textural properties. The catalytic reduction of MNZ using NaBH₄ was monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy, with the PVP-stabilized nickel nitroprusside serving as the nanocatalyst. Remarkably, a catalyst loading of only 10 µg per reaction was sufficient to achieve complete MNZ reduction within 90 s, yielding a rate constant (k) of 0.0385 s⁻1. In addition to its strong catalytic activity, the nanocatalyst exhibited excellent stability and reusability, retaining its efficiency over 10 consecutive cycles with minimal loss in activity. These results highlight the potential of this nanocatalyst as a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for the rapid removal of hazardous antibiotics during wastewater treatment.
Particle size analysis by dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a fundamental technique for characterizing colloidal systems and nanodispersions. This study presents the development, optimization, and validation of a DLS method for measuring the hydrodynamic diameter (Z-average) and polydispersity index (PDI) of nanometric colloidal silica. A 24−1 fractional factorial design was employed to evaluate the influence of four critical factors: nanosilica suspension concentration, ultrasonication time, rest time after sonication, and equipment equilibration time. Statistical results demonstrated that only the nanosilica concentration had a significant effect on the particle size (Z-average), indicating that the method is robust regarding the other evaluated parameters. Further optimization of the concentration (ranging from 0.01 to 3.0
The development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly photocatalysts has attracted considerable attention for the removal of organic pollutants from aquatic environments. Among various photocatalytic materials, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its unique two-dimensional layered structure, visible-light activity, and ease of synthesis from inexpensive precursors. However, its practical application is restricted by intrinsic limitations, including rapid electron–hole recombination, limited surface area, and a relatively wide band gap. To overcome these drawbacks, this study focuses on the modification of g-C3N4 nanosheets with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance their photocatalytic performance. Herein, g-C3N4 was synthesized via thermal condensation of urea and subsequently decorated with AgNPs utilizing a sodium naphthalenide/N,N-Dimethylacetamide (Na–Np/DMAc) reduction system, which is the rapid, single-step deposition of AgNPs onto the g-C3N4 nanosheets at ambient temperature, while concurently allowing for facile visual monitoring of the reduction process. Structural and surface characterizations confirmed the successful incorporation of AgNPs onto the g-C3N4 nanosheets. The incorporation of AgNPs significantly altered the electronic structure of g-C3N4 by narrowing its band gap (2.40 eV) and extending the visible-light absorption range. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated using Rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model organic contaminant under visible-light irradiation. Compared to neat g-C3N4 (kapp = 4.41 × 10–3 min–1), the AgNP-loaded sample demonstrated a 1.555-fold increase in the apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant (kapp = 6.86 × 10–3 min–1) for RhB degradation, which can be attributed to the plasmonic effect of AgNPs, improved charge carrier separation, and enhanced light-harvesting ability. These results highlight the potential of AgNPs decorated g-C3N4 as an efficient and sustainable photocatalyst for the degradation of hazardous organic pollutants in water treatment applications. Furthermore, the facile synthesis route employed here offers a scalable approach to designing advanced metal–semiconductor nanocomposites with improved photocatalytic efficiency.
Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) are widely encountered in environmental and biomedical systems, where their colloidal state critically influences interactions with biological membranes. However, nanoparticle–membrane interactions are often assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), whose intensity-weighted output can be strongly biased by small populations of large aggregates. Here, we directly compare aggregation-prone, unstabilized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with carboxyl-functionalized Fe₃O₄-COOH nanoparticles, which exhibit improved colloidal stability, in their interactions with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) composed of zwitterionic (PC), anionic DOPG, and cationic DOTAP lipids. Bare Fe₃O₄ formed micron-scale aggregates and induced pronounced increases in DLS-derived Z-average diameter and polydispersity, effects dominated by highly scattering clusters rather than uniform vesicle growth. In contrast, well-dispersed Fe₃O₄-COOH produced modest decreases in apparent size for PC and DOPG vesicle dispersions, consistent with population-weighting effects combined with subtle interfacial interactions, without evidence of large-scale vesicle destabilization. For DOTAP vesicles, Fe₃O₄-COOH induced progressive increases in both Z-average and number-weighted size, accompanied by ζ-potential shifts and SEM-observed composite structures, indicating genuine electrostatically driven nanoparticle–vesicle association. Together, these results demonstrate that nanoparticle dispersity governs both apparent and actual membrane interaction outcomes and show that DLS-derived size changes must be interpreted in the context of aggregation, population weighting, and complementary measurements.
The growing application of engineered nanoparticles has heightened concerns regarding their environmental release; gaining a robust understanding of their transport mechanisms, environmental fate, and behavioral dynamics in natural aquatic systems is therefore of particular importance. This study systematically investigated the aggregation and disaggregation behavior of ZnO nanoparticles in the presence of humic acid (HA) and/or Ca2+ ions across a range of pH values. Additionally, controlled shear conditions were applied to assess the influence of hydrodynamic shear forces on ZnO nanoparticle stability. The addition of HA to the suspensions resulted in a significant decrease in zeta potential and an increase in the hydrodynamic diameter of ZnO nanoparticles, implying the occurrence of charge neutralization between nanoparticles. High shear forces were sufficient to overcome interparticle attractive forces, thereby disaggregating large particle clusters into smaller entities; in contrast, low shear forces promoted nanoparticle aggregation by enhancing collision frequency and efficiency. Higher strength factors (SF) values observed in reaction systems with elevated Ca2+ ion concentrations indicated that aggregates formed under such conditions exhibited more compact structures and greater resistance to shear-induced fragmentation. Fluorescence spectra analysis indicated that the compact structure of ZnO nanoparticles formed under high Ca2+ ion concentrations was most likely due to the strong chemical binding with HA and bridging mechanisms involving divalent cations formed during the aggregation process. The findings of this study provide a mechanistic basis for predicting the environmental fate and transport behavior of ZnO nanoparticles in natural aquatic environments.
The widespread application of iron-based nanoparticles (FeNPs) in industrial, medical, and agricultural fields has intensified global concern over their environmental release and potential toxicological effects. Nanoecotoxicology has emerged as a specialized field within toxicological sciences focused on elucidating the interactions between nanomaterials and living organisms and assessing ecosystem-level impacts. In this study, we investigated the mineral phase-dependent toxicity of FeNPs using seeds of Lactuca sativa L. var. Mimosa Verde exposed to concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 50 mg/L of hematite, goethite, magnetite, akaganeite, and kremersite nanoparticles. Toxicity was evaluated through germination percentage, radicle and hypocotyl elongation, and benchmark dose (BMD) modeling to quantify tissue-specific sensitivity. Magnetite nanoparticles completely inhibited germination, whereas other mineral phases promoted radicle elongation at low concentrations (< 20 mg/L) compared to controls, while simultaneously suppressing hypocotyl growth. Tissue-specific differences in sensitivity were confirmed by BMD analysis (at a ± 5
Fusarium graminearum is a pathogenic fungus responsible for significant plant diseases. To combat infections caused by this pathogen, we designed a pH-responsive nano-pesticide thiabendazole@MIL-101(Fe). Through systematic optimization of the loading parameters, the optimal preparation conditions were determined as follows: the thiabendazole solution concentration was 3 mg/mL, the amount of carrier used was 0.0400 g, and the loading time was 6 h. Structural characterization revealed that MIL-101(Fe) possesses a uniform octahedral structure with a smooth surface. Thiabendazole was successfully loaded into its pores without damaging the crystal structure of MIL-101(Fe). Regarding release behavior, thiabendazole@MIL-101(Fe) exhibited significant pH-responsive characteristics. After 238 h, the cumulative release rate of thiabendazole reached 74.08
In recent years, metal-containing nanoparticles have attracted attention due to their novel physiological and pesticidal activity. Vector-borne diseases, including dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, persist as a considerable global health threat, requiring the formulation of economical and eco-friendly control strategies. In this study, we have presented facile gram-scale synthesis of CuO and CuS Nanoparticles (NPs) and their larvicidal potential against Aedes Aegypti larvae. This study involved the synthesis of CuO and CuS nanoparticles (NPs) at room temperature and their characterization using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The NPs were tested for larvicidal activity in controlled laboratory conditions against Ae. Aegypti. Furthermore, their ecotoxicological effects on the non-target organism, P. reticulata, were assessed using acute toxicity tests and histopathological examinations of gill and digestive tissues. Mortality rates of Ae. aegypti larvae and P. reticulata were recorded at 24 h intervals across varying concentrations of NPs. The Lethal Concentrations (LC50) for Ae. aegypti and P. reticulata were obtained from experimental data. Among the tested NPs, CuS exhibited the highest larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, causing a mean mortality rate of 63.33
Core–shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) have emerged as an attractive class of nanomaterials owing to their ability to engineer structure–property relationships through controlled compositional design. Among them, Ni–Pd CSNPs integrate the high strength and low cost of Ni with the superior thermal stability and chemical inertness of Pd. Despite their technological relevance, the coupled thermomechanical behavior governing their structural integrity remains poorly understood. In this study, classical molecular dynamics simulations employing a 2NN MEAM potential and segmental heating protocol were performed to investigate the effects of core-volume fraction (Vf = 33
Antimicrobial resistance represents a significant global health challenge, undermining the efficacy of conventional antibiotics and driving the need for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with antibiotics represent promising drug-delivery platforms due to their ability to improve intracellular delivery, enable controlled release, facilitate superior biofilm penetration, and enhance antibiotic stability. These properties collectively increase antibacterial efficacy against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of antibiotic-loaded gold (Au), silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and iron (Fe)-based NPs, focusing on antibiotic-loading approaches, release profiles, antibacterial mechanisms, therapeutic outcomes, biosafety and translational prospects. Comparative analyses demonstrate that the composition and surface modification of NPs significantly influence drug-loading capacity, release kinetics, antibacterial efficacy and cytocompatibility. Ag and ZnO- NPs based systems typically demonstrate strong intrinsic antibacterial effects via ion release, membrane disruption and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while Au and Fe-based nanocarriers offer enhanced biocompatibility, precise drug delivery and greater adaptability for surface modification. Recent research highlights improved antibacterial activity against clinically relevant MDR pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, along with superior antibiofilm efficacy. This review also addresses key challenges related to pharmacokinetics, long-term biosafety, manufacturing consistency, regulatory pathways and clinical translation. Collectively, current evidence suggests that the advancement of metallic nanoantibiotics relies on the integrated optimization of nanoparticle composition, surface properties, drug-loading strategies and biosafety considerations. Progress in surface engineering, multifunctional nanocarriers, standardized assessment protocols and clinically relevant preclinical models is anticipated to accelerate the clinical translation of antibiotic-loaded metallic NPs for effective antimicrobial therapy.
CdTe/MnS core/shell nanoheterostructure is a novel nanomaterial with excellent properties for the use in fluorescence sensors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), molecular imaging, and biomedical diagnostics. The MnS coating on the surface of the CdTe core is formed by a spontaneous self-assembly mechanism promoted by the degradation of thioglycolic acid (TGA), which acts as a source of S2- ions. Due to the high surface area to volume ratio characteristic of this nanoheterostructure, it is possible to construct a multifunctional “intelligent” nanoplatform for theranostic functions, combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions in a single platform. In this work, the electronic transitions in CdTe/MnS nanoheterostructure synthesized in aqueous solution were studied. Optical measurements revealed quantum confinement and confirmed the formation of the nanoparticles. The absorption optical (Abs) spectrum reveals the presence of three bands and an electronic gap in the range of 2.3 to 2.4 eV for all samples, whose values are consistent with those obtained with the Photoluminescence (PL) and Photoluminescence Excitation measurements (PLE). In the framework of k·p theory, we accomplish detailed calculations of electronic structure, transition energies, optical selection rules, and their corresponding intra- and interband oscillator strengths. For a better description of the transitions between bound states associated with the presence of the nanoheterostrutures and between bound and extended states in the conduction band, we use the multiband k·p method to calculate energy level structures. Therefore, this work presents exciting findings regarding the electronic transitions of nanoparticles and brings a methodology to analyze together the results from two absorption techniques, PLE and Abs.
The rational design of low-dimensional heterostructures is crucial for next-generation electronic and thermoelectric materials. Here, we report a versatile colloidal-phase strategy for synthesizing one-dimensional PbTe-Ag₂Te and PbTe-Cu₁.₇₅Te superlattice nanowires (SLNWs) using Te-PbTe heterostructure (HS) nanowires as sacrificial templates. Selective conversion of exposed Te segments through reaction-limited dewetting and galvanic replacement enables periodic modulation of composition along the nanowire axis, producing superlattice architectures with atomically sharp interfaces. Systematic control of precursor concentration, solvent environment, and reaction time allows precise tuning of segment thickness, shell formation, and interfacial quality. Structural and microstructural analysis using XRD, FESEM, TEM, and HRTEM confirms single-crystalline PbTe domains epitaxially coupled to Ag₂Te or Cu₁.₇₅Te, with well-defined crystallographic relationships between adjoining phases. The resulting hetero-structured nanowires combine materials with contrasting electronic and photonic characteristics, offering a platform for interface-engineered carrier filtering and phonon scattering. This work establishes a generalizable, solution-based route for fabricating compositionally modulated metal–telluride superlattices and provides insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic factors governing their formation. The approach is broadly applicable for designing tailored nanoscale heterostructures for thermoelectric, optoelectronic, and energy-conversion applications.
The structural and electronic properties of C3B monolayers decorated with graphene domain and Ni3 nanocluster were investigated using the density functional theory calculations. The formation energy of the graphene modified C3B system is -1.88 eV, indicating its great structural stability. In addition, the Ni3 cluster modified C3B nanosheet exhibits the significant binding energy of -3.01 eV, which corroborates the good stability of the Ni-C3B nanosheet. The adsorption energy of CO molecule on the Ni3 cluster modified C3B system is -3.04 eV, which specifies the strong interaction with chemisorption nature. Other gas molecules also exhibit good chemical adsorption on the substrate. On the pristine C3B monolayer, the CO and NO molecules are weakly physisorbed, while the Ni cluster decorated C3B monolayer show strong adsorption for the gas molecules. After CO adsorption, there is charge transfer of about 0.191 e from the Ni3-G-C3B nanosheet to the CO molecule, indicating the acceptor property of CO gas. The great redistribution of charges at the space between gas molecules and Ni-C3B nanosheet exhibits chemical interaction between them. Our results suggest that the Ni cluster decorated C3B nanosheets can be used as potential candidates for adsorption of CO and NO gas molecules.
