Drugs and drug candidate compounds commonly suffer from poor solubility and permeability. One promising strategy to mediate these drawbacks is use of novel solvents, such as deep eutectic compositions. The present research aims to determine the applicability of this approach for therapeutic metal complexes on the example of [Cu(Fur)2(Phen)] (Fur = furoate-anion, Phen = 1,10-phenantroline) and [Cu(Fur)2(Neoc)(H2O)] (Fur = furoate-anion, Neoc = 2,9-dimetyl-1,10-phenanthroline) with molar weight of appx. 500 Da. Interaction of the metal complexes with the deep eutectic solvent (DES) reline was studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Minimal inhibitory concentrations of the complexes dissolved in DES and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were determined and found to be equivalent in both solvents. That is, use of reline as a solvent did not alter the functional properties of the metal complexes. Changes in the transdermal permeation of the complexes in DMSO and DES were assessed using a Franz diffusion cell. It was discovered that depending on the structure of the complex, the permeability might either increase (from 15 to 30%) or decrease (from 13 to 8%) with changes in the solvent, and this can be used to develop dosing strategies. Therapeutic eutectogels were successfully produced by impregnating SiO2 nanoparticles with the metal complex solution in DES, facilitating convenient topical application.

This article reports a new straightforward method for producing hydrophobic GeO2 aerogels in a one-pot synthesis. For the first time, the epoxide-induced sol–gel process was combined with the co-precursor method to create hydrophobic aerogels. The application of a complex of analytical methods like SEM, TEM, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SAXS and contact angle measurements enabled us to determine that varying the GeCl4:(C2H5)2GeCl2 ratio allows for targeted adjustments in the morphology, porous structure, and surface properties of aerogels. As the proportion of (C2H5)2GeCl2 grows, the surface area increases from 45 to 123 m2∙g−1 and the contact angle changes from 22.1 to 140.1°. Luminescent properties of the hydrophobic GeO2 aerogels are reported for the first time, and it is established that the ratio of green and blue bands in the luminescence spectra when excited under 390 and 235 nm varies depending on the GeCl4:(C2H5)2GeCl2 ratio used for the aerogel preparation.

Excitation of dielectric nanoparticles highly doped with rare-earth (RE) ions by intense laser radiation can lead to their significant heating. This effect can be used to enhance the thermal effect of laser radiation on biological tissues. This work is devoted to study the features of a thermal emission in compounds based on zirconium dioxide doped with various RE ions in order to identify the type of RE ion and excitation conditions that are most suitable for the described application. In-vitro experiments using the particles studied in this work and earlier, showed that the enhancement of the thermal effect of laser radiation is most pronounced for ytterbium-containing particles and radiation with a wavelength of 970 nm. As a result of in-vivo experiments (on mice), the possibility of using ytterbium-containing particles when excited by laser radiation with a wavelength of 970 nm for the treatment of B16 melanoma has been demonstrated.

An ever-increasing number of applications of oxide aerogels places a high demand on wettability-tuning techniques. This work explores the possibility to cheaply prepare GeO2 aerogels with controlled wettability by an ambient pressure drying (APD) method. GeO2 aerogels are prepared via two synthetic routes. Surface modification is carried out by soaking the gels in a silylating agent solution; type and concentration of the modifier are optimized to achieve a large surface area. The aerogels have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption and contact angle measurements. The effect of surface modification on the phase composition and particle size of the aerogels is described. In summary, the work provides a new cheap production method for the preparation of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic GeO2 aerogels with contact angle varying from 30° to 141° and with surface area of 90–140 m2/g, which facilitates the expansion of their diverse applications. GeO2 aerogel synthesis by APD is reported for the first time.

The parameters of gel synthesis affect the kinetics and mechanism of hydrolysis and condensation processes, thereby determining the three-dimensional porous structure. In this work, the characteristics of germanium dioxide aerogels were investigated depending on the conditions of preparation. Acetonitrile was chosen as the optimal solvent, and hydrochloric acid was chosen as a catalyst. The concentrational ranges of stable gel existence during the hydrolysis of germanium(IV) tetraethoxide and tetraisopropoxide were determined. The effect of the choice of precursor and water content on the textural characteristics of the aerogel was shown. Mesoporous materials with a specific surface area of 50 m2/g with a wide pore size distribution were obtained. The phase composition of the obtained aerogels in all cases corresponded to the hexagonal modification of germanium dioxide.

The features of thermal radiation occurrence in zirconium dioxide-based compounds doped with various rare earth (RE) ions were investigated to identify the RE ion type and excitation conditions most suitable for enhancing the thermal effect on biological tissue. Holmium-containing particles were found to emit heat upon excitation by radiation with wavelengths of 457 and 1940 nm, and thermal radiation occurs in thulium-containing particles upon excitation by radiation with a wavelength of 1940 nm. Experiments in vivo using particles studied in this work (with thulium and holmium ions) and previously (with ytterbium and erbium ions) have shown that the effect of enhancing the thermal action of laser radiation is most pronounced for ytterbium-containing particles and radiation with a wavelength of 970 nm. Experiments in vitro on mice have demonstrated the possibility of using ytterbium-containing particles when excited by laser radiation with a wavelength of 970 nm for melanoma treatment.

Предложена простая в исполнении методика получения легированных GeO2-аэрогелей. На начальном этапе получали гель состава (NH4)3H(Ge7O16)(H2O)x путем растворения диоксида германия в водном растворе аммиака с рН 8,2. Введение ионов допанта осуществляли пропиткой гидрогелей раствором нитрата празеодима в диметилсульфоксиде (ДМСО). Были определены оптимальные условия синтеза, позволяющие достичь равномерного распределение иона-допанта в матрице. Соотношение Pr/Ge в полученных аэрогелях составляло 0,1. Образцы аэрогелей были подробно охарактеризованы методами ИК, ИСП-АЭС, низкотемпературной адсорбции азота и др. Установлено влияние празеодима на люминесцентные характеристики GeO2-аэрогелей при возбуждении излучением с длиной волны 240, 255 и 390 нм. An easy-to-implement technique for obtaining REE-doped GeO2 aerogels is proposed. Optimal synthesis conditions have been determined to achieve a uniform distribution of the ion-dopant in the matrix. The effect of praseodymium on the luminescent characteristics of GeO2 aerogels when excited by radiation with wavelengths of 240, 255 and 390 nm has been established.

The paper reports the results of a large-scale testing of antibacterial textiles with extremely stable and long-lasting copper oxide coating. Using disk diffusion method, ICP-OES and specific lux biosensors it was shown that the coating does not leach copper ions into the environment. Laboratory experiments performed according to the ISO 20743 protocol showed high antibacterial activity of the produced coating, up to complete growth suppression for some strains. The long-term field tests were carried out in a tropical climate, at the Climate test station "Hoa Lac" (Hanoi city, Vietnam). The number of microorganisms on the textile materials remained within the range of 1-3% in comparison with the control sample for the entire duration of the field exposure (12 months).

A synthetic approach to production of monolithic (NH4)3H(Ge7O16)(H2O)x and (NH4)2Ge7O15 aerogels is developed. Production of the aerogels with the germanate zeolite-like structure is reported for the first time. Thermal decomposition of (NH4)2Ge7O15 leads to formation of GeO2 aerogel, which has been obtained before using much more complex and expensive process of alkoxide hydrolysis. The suggested synthetic route might be used for production of novel luminescent, catalytic and anode materials. Luminescent properties of all obtained aerogels revealed excitation dependence. Based on excitation wavelengths it could exhibit blue, yellow-green and red luminescence. Luminescent properties for (NH4)3H(Ge7O16) (H2O)x and (NH4)2Ge7O15 are reported for the first time.

Bismuth orthogermanate Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) powder with morphology suitable for production of cheap new generation detectors was obtained in a one-step room temperature co-precipitation process. The influence of synthesis parameters on the phase composition and morphology of the product was systematically studied via powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. The obtained BGO powder was shown to have similar to 50 % decreased flash time compared to a single crystal in the case of both alpha- and gamma-produced scintillation. For alpha-produced scintillation share of the slow luminescent component decreased from 35 to 10 %, too. Such improved spectral-kinetic characteristics provide better time and space detectors resolution and allows one to reduce radiation exposure for tomography patients.

Titanosilicates comprise a broad class of materials with promising technological applications. The typical obstacle that restricts their industrial applicability is the high manufacturing cost due to the use of specific organotitanium precursors. We herein report a new approach to the synthesis of titanosilicates using an inexpensive inorganic precursor, ammonium titanyl sulfate (ATS or STA), (NH4)2TiO(SO4)2∙H2O. The latter is an intermediate in the processing of titanium-bearing concentrates produced from apatite-nepheline ores. In this paper, the new synthetic approach is exemplified by the microwave-assisted synthesis of IONSIVE-911, one of the most effective Cs-ion scavengers. The method can be modified to synthesize various titanosilicate compounds.

New composite hydrogels (CH) based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly-1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (PVT) doped with orthophosphoric acid (oPA), presenting interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN), have been synthesized. The mesoscopic study of the supramolecular structure (SMS) of both native cellulose, produced by the strain Komagataeibacter rhaeticus, and the CH based on BC and containing PVT/oPA complex were carried out in a wide range of momentum transfer using ultra- and classical small-angle neutron scattering techniques. The two SMS hierarchical levels were revealed from 1.6 nm to 2.5 μm for the objects under investigation. In addition, it was shown that the native BC had a correlation peak on the small-angle scattering curves at 0.00124 Å−1, with the correlation length ξ being equal to ca. 510 nm. This motive was also retained in the IPN. The data obtained allowed the estimation of the fractal dimensions and ranges of self-similarity and gave new information about the BC mesostructure and its CH. Furthermore, we revealed them to be in coincidence with Brown’s BC model, which was earlier supported by Fink’s results.

— In this paper, we report the first Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12 -based thin-layer alpha radiation detector. The scintillator was immobilized on a fused silica substrate via pulsed laser irradiation of BGO powder consisting of submicron particles. Laser treatment conditions were shown to influence the morphology and kinetic characteristics of the scintillator. The material we prepared ensures a higher stability of detectors to moisture and air in comparison with its commercially available analogs, while offering a comparable or even higher detection efficiency, and can be used in environmental monitoring, including volumetric alpha activity measurements.

Textiles and nonwovens (including those used in ventilation systems as filters) are currently one of the main sources of patient cross-infection. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect 5–10% of patients and stand as the tenth leading cause of death. Therefore, the development of new methods for creating functional nanostructured coatings with antibacterial and antiviral properties on the surfaces of textiles and nonwoven materials is crucial for modern medicine. Antimicrobial filter technology must be high-speed, low-energy and safe if its commercialization and mass adoption are to be successful. Cerium oxide nanoparticles can act as active components in these coatings due to their high antibacterial activity and low toxicity. This paper focuses on the elaboration of a high-throughput and resource-saving method for the deposition of cerium oxide nanoparticles onto nonwoven fibrous material for use in air-conditioning filters. The proposed spraying technique is based on the use of an aerodynamic emitter and simultaneous suction. Cerium oxide nanoparticles have successfully been deposited onto the filter materials used in air conditioning systems; the antibacterial activity of the ceria-modified filters exceeded 4.0.

The optical properties of a highly dispersed bismuth orthogermanate powder Bi4Ge3O12: Pr3+ (HDP_BGO: Pr3+) were studied at T = 300 K. The fluorescence of undoped HDP_BGO under ultraviolet (UV) excitation (lambda(exc) = 266 nm) was shown to result from Frenkel excitons (GeO44-, BiO69-). The HDP_BGO fluorescence decay kinetics under UV excitation had a complex decay form similar to that of BGO single crystal and was a sum of four exponentials with lifetimes tau(1, 2, 3, 4)- 0.16/0.30/0.70/2.7 mu s respectively. Two types of Pr3+ ions optical centers with lifetimes of ~5.0 and 85 mu s have been determined in a HDP_BGO: Pr3+. The resonance energy transfer of the electronic excitation from the HDP_BGO to Pr3+ ions was identified. The effect of Pr3+ ions on the HDP_BGO fluorescence lifetime reduction from 160 to 35 ns was established.

This paper reports the results of the large-scale field testing of composite materials with antibacterial properties in a tropical climate. The composite materials, based on a cotton fabric with a coating of metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2 and/or ZnO), were produced using high-power ultrasonic treatment. The antibacterial properties of the materials were studied in laboratory tests on solid and liquid nutrient media using bacteria of different taxonomic groups (Escherichia coli, Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas chlororaphis). On solid media, the coatings were able to achieve a >50% decrease in the number of bacteria. The field tests were carried out in a tropical climate, at the Climate test station “Hoa Lac” (Hanoi city, Vietnam). The composite materials demonstrated long-term antibacterial activity in the tropical climate: the number of microorganisms remained within the range of 1–3% in comparison with the control sample for the duration of the experiment (3 months). Ten of the microorganisms that most frequently occurred on the surface of the coated textiles were identified. The bacteria were harmless, while the fungi were pathogenic and contributed to fabric deterioration. Tensile strength deterioration was also studied, with the fabrics coated with metal oxides demonstrating a better preservation of their mechanical characteristics over time, (there was a 42% tensile strength decrease for the reference non-coated sample and a 21% decrease for the sample with a ZnO + CTAB coating).

Although water contamination with drug residues is a threat to public health, there are currently barely any effective methods of purifying water from pharmaceutical substances. In this study, continuous-flow sonoplasma treatment was used for the complete degradation of tetracycline and ciprofloxacin in polluted municipal water. The addition of CeO2 nanoparticles as catalysts significantly increased the degradation rate of the antibiotics, and a degradation degree of 70% was achieved. The presence of reactive oxygen species in the CeO2-nanoparticle-containing sonoplasma-treated system was experimentally proven for the first time using the chemiluminescence technique.

The possibility to prepare transparent scintillation composite materials based on SiO2 aerogels with Bi4Ge3O12 filler has been shown for the first time. Effect of gelation catalysts (HF and ammonium hydroxide), solvents (methanol, isopropanol, acetone, methyl cellosolve, and methyl lactate), and supercritical drying conditions (CO2, alcohols) on transparency and textural properties of SiO2 aerogels has been studied. A procedure for Bi4Ge3O12 dispersing in transparent aerogels based on SiO2 has been developed and composite materials containing Bi4Ge3O12 of different morphology have been synthesized. The study of scintillation properties of the prepared samples showed their complete correspondence to the properties of Bi4Ge3O12 single crystals