The development of efficient and durable non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) remains challenging due to limitations associated with sluggish kinetics and catalyst poisoning. Herein, a morphology-driven strategy is proposed to elucidate the role of granular and compact architectures in governing the electrocatalytic performance of ternary Ni–Fe–Sn catalysts. NiFeSn electrocatalysts were synthesized via potentiostatic electrodeposition. This work provides a comparative investigation of how morphological evolution influences interfacial kinetics, catalytic activity, and operational stability during EOR. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that NiFeSn(A) possessed a densely packed granular morphology with uniformly distributed quasi-spherical particles, whereas NiFeSn(B) exhibited sparse surface coverage and localized agglomeration. Electrochemical evaluation demonstrated that NiFeSn(A) achieved superior EOR performance with a peak current density of 117.61 mA cm⁻², 1.60-fold higher than NiFeSn(B) (73.47 mA cm⁻²), together with a lower onset potential (570 mV), lower charge-transfer resistance (2.84 Ω after cycling), and smaller Tafel slope (33.26 mV dec⁻¹). Furthermore, NiFeSn(A) exhibited enhanced poisoning tolerance and improved long-term stability during chronoamperometric measurements. The superior performance of NiFeSn(A) is attributed to its interconnected granular morphology, which promotes charge-transfer kinetics, active-site accessibility, and efficient oxidative removal of poisoning intermediates, highlighting morphology engineering as an effective route for developing high-performance Ni-based EOR electrocatalysts.
This study evaluates Natural Rubber Latex (NRL)–Bioactive Glass (BG) Composites as carrier for ampicillin. Current drug delivery systems face challenges of uncontrolled release, poor biocompatibility, and unstable therapeutic levels. Incorporating bioactive glass into natural rubber latex was explored to improve compatibility, sustained release, and strength. Biomembranes (NRL with drug and NRL - BG with drug respectively) were polymerized at room temperature for 72 hours. The biomembranes were then characterized using Fourier Transmission – Infra red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X8-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The drug release mechanism through the skin, tensile strength and elongation at break were also evaluated. Results showed that 86.26% of the protein in the NRL was removed after centrifugation and the FTIR spectra analysis reveals no chemical interaction between the NRL, drug and bioglass as their individual characteristics exhibits solid fusion. Drug release reached about 70% with burst release near 52–54 hours. The mechanical analysis showed that the incorporation of the bioglass improved the tensile strength of the biomembrane significantly. The results confirm that natural rubber latex can act as a transdermal carrier for ampicillin, with bioactive glass further improving the delivery efficiency.
One of the advantages of coordination complex with a framework structure is that it facilitates conducting metal exchange reaction or transmetallation, which important for several purposes. In this study, we evaluated transmetallation phenomena in a 116 nuclear complex of [{Au6Cd3(tdme)2(D-pen)6}12Cd4Na4](NO3)12 (1CdNa) using monovalent and divalent metal ions from alkali and alkaline-earth groups, respectively. The metal replacements were carried out in high concentration solution through single-crystal-to-single-crystal manner. The observation focused on the structural refinement based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The results indicated that selective metal exchange occurred exclusively in specific locations. The presence of d-orbital and metal coordination preferences became two pivotal factors to proceed transmetallation in 1CdNa.
This study investigates the synthesis and electrochemical performance of NiFe alloy electrocatalysts prepared via thin-film electrodeposition using different additives, citrate and saccharin. The aim is to compare the catalytic behavior of NiFe alloys influenced by the two additives. Structural characterization through X-ray diffraction revealed a face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline phase in both samples, while X-ray fluorescence analysis showed a Ni:Fe ratio of 1:1 in the NiFe/Cu-TSC sample and 3:1 in NiFe/Cu-Sac sample. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel analysis demonstrated that the NiFe/Cu-Sac catalyst exhibited superior charge transfer properties, with a lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) and a smaller Tafel slope, indicating more efficient catalytic activity. These findings suggest that saccharin serves as a more favorable additive in enhancing the electrocatalytic performance of NiFe alloys for ethanol oxidation applications.
Heavy metals occur naturally in soil due to the weathering of parent materials. At trace levels, they are nontoxic. Cadmium is a heavy metal that is highly toxic at low levels. This study investigates the potential of Arecanut husk-derived biochar as a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for removing cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) from aqueous solutions. Biochar production was carried out using a pyrolysis process. The results demonstrated that adsorption capacity (qe) was strongly influenced by biochar dosage, contact time, solution pH, and temperature, on cadmium removal efficiency. Optimal performance was observed at a biochar dosage of 60–80 mg, contact time of 60 minutes, pH range of 6–8, and a temperature of 50°C. Under these optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1.73 mg/g and removal efficiency was achieved up to 89.8%. FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of functional groups, including C-H, –COOH, and C=O, in the adsorption process through coordination and complexation with cadmium ions. XRD analysis confirmed the successful immobilization of Cd²⁺ via the formation of cadmium-containing crystalline phases, without altering the biochar’s amorphous carbon structure. These findings indicate that chemisorption mechanisms, including surface complexation and mineral precipitation, primarily govern cadmium adsorption. To the best of our knowledge, this research study signifies a novel, acceptable, innovative method that is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and utilizes readily available materials, such as biochar derived from arecanut husk, which helps as a promising, sustainable, and efficient adsorbent for the remediation of cadmium-contaminated water.
The development of low energy light-activated therapeutics with precise targets is currently receiving pronounced attention. Here we report the evaluation of a novel mer-tricarbonylmolybdenum(0) complex with benzyl isonicotinoyl hydrazone (BIH) as ancillary ligands. The complex is a photoactive carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (PhotoCORM) with dual action. Spectroscopic characterization (IR, NMR) and the elemental analysis results confirmed a meridional octahedral geometry tricarbonyl complex with a para substitution pattern for the coordinating pyridinic nitrogen atom of the ancillary ligand. FTIR spectral analysis strongly suggested that the para substitution mode of the ligand attenuated metal-to-ligand π-backbonding, resulting in the weakening of the Mo-C bond. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations showed that a highly allowed Metal-to-Ligand Charge Transfer (MLCT) in the visible light region (λmax = 587.45 nm) initiated the photolysis process. Experimental evidence supported that upon irradiation, the complex undergoes dissociation at a rapid rate (k = 9.7x10-2 s-1). Released CO is successfully delivered to biological heme sites as confirmed by carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) formation. In silico molecular docking simulation with SwissDock program demonstrated that possible release of hydrazone ancillary ligand may effectively target the active site of keap1 (PDB: 4L7B) and those of essential bacterial proteins; LasR (PDB: 3IX3), MRSA PBP2a (PDB:5M18) and E. coli DNA Gyrase (PDB: 6F86). In vitro antibacterial assay carried out to validate the theoretical broad-spectrum activity of the ligand, and the CO poisoning of the heme indicates significant growth inhibition against S aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa in a dose-dependent manner. These results highly suggest this novel photoCORM as a promising synergistic antimicrobial agent.
The superior optical and electronic properties of Cu₂O make it a promising semiconductor material for various applications. To enhance its performance, several approaches have been explored, including cobalt (Co) doping, which has been reported to improve light absorption, reduce crystal size, and enhance the crystallinity of Cu₂O. Moreover, the morphology of the material plays a crucial role in determining its functional performance. Photoelectrodeposition offers a unique advantage in tailoring material morphology through light-assisted deposition processes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of Co concentration on the crystallinity, structure, and morphology of Cu₂O synthesized via photoelectrodeposition. The results demonstrate the successful synthesis of pure Cu₂O and Co-doped Cu₂O phases. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that Co atoms successfully substitute Cu atoms, leading to a reduction in crystal size. Raman spectroscopy further confirms an increase in oxygen vacancies in the doped samples. In addition, the particle morphology undergoes significant changes attributed to the influence of illumination during the deposition process.
The synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a critical aspect in the development of large-scale antioxidant nanomaterials. Although, biological methods offer a non-toxic reagent and an environmentally friendly route for synthesis. However, their scalability is limited by the non-uniformity of particle size, the scarcity of biological materials, the challenges associated with controlling organism growth, and the relatively long synthesis time. Therefore, chemical methods, especially electrodepositions, are preferred due to their effectiveness, efficiency, and the ability to precisely control particle size and shape through electrolyte modifications. In this study, two supporting electrolytes, KCl and Na₂SO₄, were employed. The results demonstrated that the type of electrolyte ion significantly influences the particle density of the AuNPs, with KCl electrolyte providing a higher particle density. This increased particle density correlates with a larger active surface area per unit area, subsequently enhancing the antioxidant activity of the AuNPs, as evidenced by up to 57% DPPH inhibition. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and cytoprotective assays indicated good biocompatibility and protective capabilities of AuNPs.
This study compares the catalytic activity of Ni, NiCo, and PtNiCo in the ethanol electrooxidation reaction to elucidate the role of each metal. The catalysts were synthesized via electrodeposition at room temperature and characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry techniques. Catalytic activity was evaluated through various electrochemical tests, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. Ethanol electrooxidation tests conducted via cyclic voltammetry over 1000 cycles revealed a progressive increase in catalytic activity among the three catalysts, with PtNiCo exhibiting the highest performance. The synergistic effect of the three metals resulted in a low charge transfer resistance (3.46 Ω), a small Tafel slope (156 mV/decade), a high peak current density (32.06 mA/cm²), a low If/Ib ratio, and an enhanced reactant diffusion coefficient. These findings provide valuable insights for designing efficient and high-performance tri-metallic catalysts.
This study investigates the phytochemical profiles, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, IR spectroscopy, and HPLC analyses of local almond shells extracts using different solvents, including deionized water (DW), ethanol, and a mixture of DW:ethanol (1:1). All extracts contained flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, coumarins, phlobatannins, phytosterols, phenols, quinones, resins, saponins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids, with different concentrations. The DW:ethanol mixture extract also showed the presence of anthraquinones, proteins, and amino acids, which were absent in the other extracts. The DW extract exhibited the highest total flavonoid content (117 mg QE/g), whereas the total polyphenol concentration was greatest in the mixture extract (711 mg TAC/g). The FTIR spectra revealed distinct functional peaks for aromatic rings, unsaturated hydrocarbons, esters, carboxylic acids, ketones, phenols, and alcohols in all extracts. HPLC analysis identified seven prominent phenolic compounds in all extracts, namely benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and naringenin, with varying concentrations. This study highlights the potential of almond shells as a significant source of bioactive compounds that can function as capping and reducing agents in the environmentally friendly synthesis of nanomaterials. The potential of compounds like flavonoids suggests that almond shell extract is a promising candidate for developing antioxidant drugs.
Metal ions such as Fe3+ and dye contamination such as methylene blue (MB) have caused environmental and health problems, particularly through industrial wastewater discharge. Some conventional treatment methods of removing these toxins are inefficient and unsustainable. Thus, this study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of cyclo-1,5-di(p-tolyl)-3,3,7,7-tetraphenyl-1,5-dibora-3,7-disiloxane, a Lewis acid, and its application in the adsorption of Fe3+ and MB from aqueous solution. The compound was synthesized via a condensation reaction between diphenylsilanediol (4.3 g, 19.97 mmol) and p-tolylboronic acid (2.72 g, 20.03 mmol) at reflux for 12 h. The crude product was recrystallized from petroleum ether yielding 2.89 g of blocky, colorless crystals (90% yield, melting point 260 °C). The compound was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Thereafter, the synthesized compound was used for the adsorption of Fe3+ and MB. The adsorption isotherms for both Fe3+ and MB follow the Freundlich with R2 values of 0.8967 and 0.8769, respectively. These adsorption study results show the potential of the synthesized novel compound, as an adsorbent for the removal of Fe3+ and MB in aqueous solution, offering a promising future for application in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.
Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant interest in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties and synergistic effects. This study reports the synthesis of bimetallic gold-copper nanoparticles (AuCu NPs) via electrochemical deposition using cyclic voltammetry (CV) on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. Various precursor ratios of HAuCl₄ and CuSO₄ were employed to investigate the influence of Cu concentration on morphology and antioxidant activity of AuCu NPs. Characterization using field emission electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer revealed that increasing Cu content altered the particle size distribution and surface uniformity, with optimal homogeneity achieved at a 1:1 Au:Cu ratio, yielding NPs of ~25–27 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline Au and Cu₂O phases, indicating successful co-deposition and surface oxidation of Cu. The antioxidant activity test, assessed through a DPPH radical scavenging assay, showed the highest inhibition (89.09%) for pure Au after a 48-hour incubation, whereas AuCu samples exhibited delayed yet substantial activity (>80%), suggesting time-dependent synergism. Furthermore, MTT assays on HaCaT cells revealed that the AuCu NPs were non-cytotoxic and exhibited protective effects against oxidative stress induced by blue light exposure, highlighting their potential for biomedical and dermatological applications.
Triazoles have emerged as versatile linkers in carbohydrate chemistry, enabling the construction of stable and multifunctional glycohybrids. This review explores the use of triazoles in carbohydrate chemistry, focusing on how they can be used to create versatile compounds with applications in both medicine and materials science. A variety of glyco-triazole hybrids have been synthesized using efficient and sustainable click chemistry methods. These methods allow for the high-yield joining of sugars to other molecules under biocompatible conditions. This review highlights the diverse biological activities of these new compounds, including their use as antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer agents. A cationic chitosan derivative with triazole and quaternary ammonium groups showed strong antifungal and antioxidant properties. Other examples include carbohydrate-derived triazoles that inhibit glycogen phosphorylase, a feasible treatment for type 2 diabetes, and piperazine triazolyl sugar conjugates that show potent anticancer activity against HeLa cells. Beyond their medicinal uses, the review also covers the application of glyco-triazole hybrids in materials science and sensing. This review emphasises that while significant progress has been made, future work should focus on designing more complex structures, using greener synthesis methods, and addressing challenges like bioavailability and stability to move these promising compounds from the laboratory to real-world applications.
Hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) is a widely studied iron oxide due to its broad functional versatility in catalysis, sensing, and environmental applications. However, controlling its morphology and crystallinity remains a challenge, which limits its performance in composite materials. This study investigates the role of sodium hydroxide and citric acid as additives to identify optimal hematite characteristics on the fabrication of hematite/SiO₂ composite via the sol-gel method. Sodium hydroxide serves as a source of hydroxide ions, accelerating nucleation and acting as a precipitating agent, while citric acid chelates Fe³⁺ ions and caps growing nuclei, which enhances crystallinity and suppresses particle agglomeration. As a result, hematiteCA exhibited brownish-purple appearance and higher crystallinity, whereas hematiteSH showed larger and more agglomerated particles. Integrating silica into hematiteCA produced wine-red hematite/SiO2 composites and porous-like surface morphology. These findings demonstrate that additive selection is a critical parameter in synthesizing hematite microstructure and enhancing its compatibility with silica, thereby enabling the development of composites for advanced applications.
Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) is a promising material for photocatalysis due to its narrow bandgap, cost-effectiveness, and non-toxicity. However, its practical application is hindered by the rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs and low stability. This study addresses these limitations by decorating Cu₂O film with a cobalt (Co) cocatalyst. The Cu₂O/Co film was successfully synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate through electrodeposition. Characterisation results confirmed the presence of small, agglomerated Co deposits that scattered on Cu2O grain boundaries. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that Cu₂O/Co exhibited a charge transfer resistance of 21.94 Ω, which is lower compared to Cu₂O at 24.16 Ω. This indicates that the addition of Co enhances interfacial charge transfer kinetics. Photodegradation test of Cu₂O with Co then revealed a higher degradation efficiency of 76.51% than that of Cu₂O film at 67.55%, highlighting the potential of Co as a cocatalyst for Cu2O.
Methylene blue (MB) is a hazardous waste for living things and the environment. In this study, MB adsorption was carried out using tea waste as an adsorbent. To enhance the adsorption process, activation with HCl and modification with magnetite (Fe3O4) were carried out. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using tea waste adsorbent activated and modified with Fe3O4 on methylene blue waste. Tea waste was activated with HCl and modified with Fe3O4 using the coprecipitation method. Two variations of testing were conducted, namely, the variation of pH and contact time. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the optimum pH at pH 10 with an adsorption power of 98.4% and a contact time of 90 minutes with an adsorption power of 98.6%, when the adsorbent was applied directly to the methylene blue waste produced an adsorption power of 99%, and an adsorption isotherm model that was suitable using Freundlich isotherm with an R2 value of 0.9704.
The superior optical and electronic properties of Cu₂O make it a promising semiconductor material for various applications. To enhance its performance, several approaches have been explored, including cobalt (Co) doping, which has been reported to improve light absorption, reduce crystal size, and enhance the crystallinity of Cu₂O. Moreover, the morphology of the material plays a crucial role in determining its functional performance. Photoelectrodeposition offers a unique advantage in tailoring material morphology through light-assisted deposition processes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of Co concentration on the crystallinity, structure, and morphology of Cu₂O synthesized via photoelectrodeposition. The results demonstrate the successful synthesis of pure Cu₂O and Co-doped Cu₂O phases. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that Co atoms successfully substitute Cu atoms, leading to a reduction in crystal size. Raman spectroscopy further confirms an increase in oxygen vacancies in the doped samples. In addition, the particle morphology undergoes significant changes attributed to the influence of illumination during the deposition process.
The FeCo thin films were synthesized using a potentiostatic electrodeposition technique under varying deposition temperatures and saccharin compositions. The effects of these parameters on the film’s crystallinity, composition, microstructure, and deposition behavior were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a single-phase FeCo structure under all conditions. Increasing the deposition temperature enhanced mass transfer and reduced anomalous codeposition behavior, as evidenced by the compositional shift toward higher cobalt content. The presence of saccharin was found to significantly influence the nucleation and growth processes through adsorption and the formation of metal–saccharinate complexes, which altered the deposition behavior. These results demonstrate that optimizing deposition parameters enables precise control over the composition and structure of FeCo thin films, which is crucial for the functional applications of magnetic and electrocatalysis.
The declining availability of fossil fuels and their environmental impacts have driven the search for cleaner, renewable energy alternatives, such as direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). However, the widespread application of DEFCs faces challenges due to the complex kinetics of ethanol electrooxidation, necessitating the development of effective catalysts. Platinum (Pt) is widely regarded as the most effective catalyst for this process. However, its use is hindered by high costs and susceptibility to poisoning by intermediates formed during the ethanol electrooxidation reaction. To address these issues, the addition of Sn and Ni to the Pt catalyst is expected to enhance its performance. In this study, PtSnNi trimetallics were synthesized using the electrodeposition method. The samples were then characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and electrochemical tests to evaluate their catalytic activity and stability. The SEM image reveals that PtSnNi2 has the smallest particle size compared to other PtSnNi samples. Additionally, the results indicate that PtSnNi2, with a composition of 73% Pt, 26% Sn, and 1% Ni, exhibits the optimal electrolyte concentration, leading to the highest catalytic activity and stability. This is evidenced by the lowest Rct, lowest Ib/If ratio, and highest current density in the ethanol oxidation reaction.
This study investigates the influence of phase composition on Cu₂O/CuO/Cu composites for the degradation methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Two types of composites, Cu₂O-rich and Cu₂O-poor, were successfully synthesized through electrodeposition method. The results showed that the Cu₂O-rich composite exhibited photocatalytic activity, as indicated by a maximum photocurrent of 13 mA/cm² and the highest optimized MB photodegradation efficiency. This enhanced performance is due to the high Cu₂O phase content, which generates a higher photocurrent density, thereby accelerating the redox reaction in the MB degradation.
