This study reports the design and synthesis of a multifunctional chitosan–silica/Ag@Cu bimetallic conductive hydrogel nanocomposite prepared via an integrated sol–gel/polymerization approach, ensuring uniform nanoparticle dispersion within the polymer matrix. Structural, morphological, and optical analyses (XRD, TEM, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy) confirmed the successful formation of a homogeneous chitosan–silica/Ag@Cu hybrid network with enhanced interfacial interactions and tunable electronic structure. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy revealed a remarkable increase in interfacial polarization and electrical double-layer formation, leading to enhanced charge transport and capacitance. The optimized ChSAg/0.6Cu nanocomposite exhibited the highest electroactive surface area, a low charge-transfer resistance of 13.2 Ω, and a high specific capacitance of 8513.3 F g⁻¹. The nanocomposite exhibits efficient electrocatalytic activity toward non-enzymatic electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensors with high sensitivity, a wide linear range from 0.01 µM to 1300 µM, and low detection limit of 0.002 µM. These results demonstrate the strong correlation between dielectric behavior and electrochemical performance, highlighting the potential of the developed hydrogel for biosensing and energy-storage applications.
Cellulose/Polyvinylpyrrolidone/graphene oxide (cell/PVP/GO) nanocomposite films doped with ZnO and varying Fe2O3 contents were fabricated and investigated for optical, dielectric, and antimicrobial applications. Diffuse reflectance and absorbance analysis revealed a progressive reduction in the indirect optical band gap from the GO-based composite to Fe2O3-loaded films, accompanied by enhanced UV shielding and extended absorption into the visible–NIR region. The incorporation of ZnO and Fe₂O₃ increased light absorption and modified the optical response due to additional electronic states and interfacial interactions. Dielectric measurements performed over a frequency range of 4 Hz–8 MHz and temperature range of 30–190 °C showed high dielectric permittivity at low frequencies due to Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization, followed by stable behavior at high frequencies. The dielectric stability improved with Fe2O3 loading, where samples remained thermally stable up to 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, and 160 °C for C0–C4, respectively. The loss tangent spectra exhibited thermally activated relaxation peaks shifting toward higher frequencies with increasing temperature, indicating improved dielectric reliability. The CNC/PVP/GO films reinforced with ZnO/Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The inhibition zones reached 38 mm, 41 mm, 38 mm, and 30 mm, respectively, for sample C4, exceeding the gentamicin reference (20–22 mm). The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of GO-induced membrane disruption and reactive oxygen species generated by ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles. These results demonstrate that the developed nanocomposites exhibit tunable optical properties, thermally stable dielectric behavior, and strong, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, promising for optoelectronics, UV-shielding coatings, and antimicrobial applications.
Herein, nanospheres of Ni2+-doped magnesium aluminosilicate (MAS) glass-ceramics were produced utilizing a sol-gel processing technique in order to examine the impact of the incorporation of different levels of Ni (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mol%) on their structural, optical, electrical and antimicrobial characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the samples predominantly consist of two polycrystalline phases: hexagonal Mg2Al4Si5O18 and orthorhombic Mg2SiO4; as the level of Ni2+ incorporation increased, more and more prominent orthorhombic reflections became apparent. It was found from the examination of electron micrographs that the average crystallite diameter was approximately 23 nm and that the particles were nearly spherical with diameters between 20 and 30 nm, exhibiting a uniform dispersion of Ni throughout the MAS matrix. Optical diffuse reflectance (DR) spectra demonstrated that all of the studied samples contained the characteristic absorption features associated with Ni2+ ions coordinated to six oxygen atoms and that the optical band gap of Ni(doped)-MAS varied non-linearly with respect to the increasing amounts of Ni, which can be explained by the existence of the defect states that are created by dopant incorporation and/or changes that occur in the electronic structure. At temperatures of 30 °C, 60 °C, and 100 °C, dielectric measurements exhibited stable high-frequency permittivity values (≈15-20) for all sample compositions measured, indicating significant dependence on Ni. At low frequencies and temperatures, dielectric measurements indicate that the MAS-1Ni sample has an extraordinarily high permittivity value of 5.12 × 104 at 0.1 Hz and 100 °C. The antimicrobial assessment of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi samples demonstrated visible clear inhibition zones (max 18 mm) as a result of the continuous release of Ni2+ ions and the alteration of the cell wall structure in microbial organisms. These findings demonstrate that MAS glass-ceramic nanospheres modified with Ni have the ability to offer tunable multifunctional properties, making them promising candidates for biomedical, antimicrobial and functional ceramic applications.
Retraction of ‘Detection of 3,4-diaminotoluene based on Sr 0.3 Pb 0.7 TiO 3 /CoFe 2 O 4 core/shell nanocomposite via an electrochemical approach’ by Ali B. Abou Hammad et al. , New J. Chem. , 2020, 44 , 7941–7953, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NJ01074J.
We report the fabrication of multifunctional nanocomposites via integrating ZnCe0.3Ti0.7O3 nanoparticles into a hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based matrix to enhance electrical, charge storage, and sensing capabilities for sustainable energy, electronics, and biosensing applications. The dielectric and conductivity behaviors of the HEC@ZnCe0.3Ti0.7O3 composites were investigated over a broad frequency (4 Hz-8 MHz) and temperature range (30-140 °C). Results showed a considerable increase in the dielectric constant at low frequencies due to interfacial and dipolar polarization, with higher values achieved upon nanoparticle incorporation. Relaxation peaks in the loss tangent shifted with temperature, indicating thermally activated dipolar processes. Composites with 1.5-3 wt% ZnCe0.3Ti0.7O3 exhibited superior conductivity, attributed to enhanced ionic conduction pathways. Electrochemical analysis demonstrated strong pseudocapacitive behavior and rapid electron transfer. The optimized (S2) nanocomposite exhibited exceptional sensitivity for non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide detection, with a wider linear range (0.05-2000 µM), higher sensitivity (0.998 µA µM-1), and a low detection border of 0.02 µM. These results highlight the potential of HEC-based ZnCe0.3Ti0.7O3 nanocomposites for high-performance energy storage, optoelectronic, and sensing devices.
This study aims to develop and characterize functionalized CNTs-reinforced chitosan/SiO₂-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) nanocomposites (CNTs concentrations of 0.00-0.04 wt
Hydroxyethyl cellulose-based ZnCe 0.3 Ti 0.7 O 3 nanocomposites were fabricated for sustainable energy and sensing applications.
Recently, nanoparticles, specifically LiCaO and SiO2, have gained significant attention in research and development due to their exceptional stability and electrochemical properties. This study focuses on the successful synthesis of chitosan-SiO2-LiCaO nanocomposites to explore the outcome of Flumox on their microstructure by evaluating their sensing activity. In this process, SiO2 served as a polymerizing and stabilizing agent. The resulting nanocomposites were examined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), UV absorbance, and electrochemical methods. The absorbance study exposed two peaks at 239 nm and 283 nm that increased with the concentration of Flumox. Additionally, the electrochemical characteristics were examined using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) techniques. The results confirmed significant improvements in the electrocatalytic properties, along with improved and immediate electron transfer enabled by the modified surfaces. Furthermore, the synthesized Flumox-SiO2@Chitosan/LiCaO nanoparticles were utilized for peroxide nano-enzymatic sensor with a linear range of 0.1–1000 µM and a lower detection limit of 0.05 µM, showing the promising applications of these synthesized materials in sensor.
This study presents the fabrication and comprehensive characterization of ultrasensitive electrochemical nanocomposites based on nanochitosan-Li2CaO2@Flumox, polymerized with SiO2. Utilizing sol-gel and polymerization techniques, we explored the intricate interplay between the chemical stability of the nanochitosan-Li2CaO2@Flumox complex and the release dynamics of nanoparticles, which are significantly influenced by the presence of chitosan's amino groups. The results reveal a robust synergistic interaction between chitosan and Li2CaO2/SiO2@Flumox, culminating in remarkable antimicrobial activity, with the zone of inhibition values of 9-15 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the chitosan-based materials demonstrate exceptional promise for biotechnology and supercapacitor technology applications, owing to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and energy storage capabilities. The 0.3F sample confirmed the highest conductivity with the lowest Rct (70.4 Omega), while all Flumox-modified composites showed reduced charge transfer resistance compared to the unmodified nanocomposite (0F, 370.06 Omega). This research underscores the potential of nanochitosan-Li2CaO2/SiO2@Flumox as a pioneering solution in developing susceptible electrochemical systems using the cyclic voltammetry technique, which is significant for advancing supercapacitor applications and enhancing energy storage solutions.
This study aims to develop an innovative drug delivery bio-system using bioglass (BIOGLASS) and biopolymers of Sodium Alginate (SA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in microsphere form as a carrier for Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid drug. In this work BIOGLASS/SA-PVP and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid loaded BIOGLASS/SA-PVP microspheres (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) were synthesized using the ion crosslinking method technique. The fabricated microspheres were analyzed using FT-IR, FESEM/EDX, and XRD confirming the in-vitro examination. XRD and FTIR data demonstrate the effective creation of the apatite layer and the appearance of new apatite peaks at both 605 cm−1 and 565 cm−1, distinguishing the prolonged vibrations associated with the $${\text{PO}}_{4}^{-3}$$ group. SEM images reveal that the prepared bio-beads have a spherical shape, with sizes falling in the micro-scale. The dielectric constant (εʹ), the dielectric loss (εʺ), and the AC conductivity (σ) were slow at the frequency range of 4 Hz to 8 MHz at room temperature. The antibacterial examinations of the fabricated microspheres were performed employing agar diffusion procedure against the clinical pathogens Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. The SBF (simulated body fluid) experiments display the formation of a hydroxy appetite coating on the microsphere’s surfaces that approves their significant bioactivity. Furthermore, antimicrobial results of BIOGLASS/SA-PVP/Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid microspheres reveal a notable impact on the antimicrobial performance. The in-vitro tests established that fabricated bio-microspheres are a promising opportunity for bone tissue engineering (substitutes and regeneration), signifying their promise for bone application.
High-& kcy; dielectrics are formed using graphene due to their lower percolation threshold, but they suffer from higher dielectric loss. Herein, a strategy has been investigated to enhance dielectric in ZnTiO3 and suppress the dielectric loss of graphene composites through the formation of zinc titanate (ZT) / reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructures. The successful sol-gel process and densification produce a large interfacial region in porous zinc titanate (ZT) / reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructures due to the hybrid chemical growth, which results in improved interfacial polarization. The higher nanoporous samples were described using XRD, TEM-SEM, THz, FTIR, Raman, UV- visible spectroscopy, and dielectric properties. The results reveal that the formation method and the rGO content significantly influenced the particle size, crystalline nature, THz, and dielectric properties of the prepared rGO/ZT nanoporous. The XRD indicates the hexagonal and cubic phase of ZnTiO3 nanocrystalline changes with rGO contents. The two-dimensional rGO/ZT nanocrystals have noticeable efficient absorption for the terahertz (THz) through a wide range of THz-frequency (0.06 and 4 THz). The THz reveals that the lower content of graphene oxide in zinc titanate has a higher absorbance spectrum, while the higher contents of graphene oxide increase the absorption coefficient. Herein, a strategy is proposed to explore and control the dielectric loss of lower temperature ZnTiO3 nanostructure using graphene oxide to produce highperformance high-& kcy; dielectric materials. The humidity sensing achievement of rGO/ZT nanostructure was assessed across a humidity range of 11 up to 97 %, revealing that the ideal testing frequency for the highest impedance difference was 100 Hz.
Cobalt-doped sodium aluminosilicate nanostructures were synthesized via a sol-gel method and investigated for their structural, optical, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a triclinic albite phase (NaAlSi3O8) with successful incorporation of Co2+ ions into the aluminosilicate framework. Optical absorption studies revealed new bands associated with tetrahedral Co2+ in Al2O3 nanocrystals, and a systematic decrease in the optical band gap with increasing Co content due to the creation of localized states in the band gap. Magnetic measurements demonstrated a transition from diamagnetic behavior in the undoped sample to ferromagnetic behavior in Co-doped samples, with enhanced saturation magnetization linked to exchange interactions. Electrochemical studies showed that the sample with the lowest Co content (ANSS1Co) exhibited the highest specific capacitance (187 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and excellent cycling stability, retaining 89.5% capacitance after 8000 cycles. These results highlight the potential of Co-doped sodium aluminosilicate nanostructures as stable electrode materials for energy storage applications.
Exploiting cost-effective Pt-free counter-electrode materials with low-cost synthesis and high catalytic activity is crucial for dye-sensitized solar cells. This paper introduces the sol-gel drop casting approach for preparing cobalt sulfide-doped graphene oxide (CoS/rGO). The cobalt sulfide-doped graphene nanocomposite exhibits electrocatalytic properties comparable to conventional Pt electrodes as the counter electrode (CE) in DSSCs. Cobalt sulfide-doped graphene nanocomposites were synthesized via a direct sol-gel approach as a low-cost substitute for Pt. Characterization using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive/transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy shows the successful formation of cobalt sulfide-doped graphene nanocomposites. The band gap energy of cobalt sulfide-doped graphene is 3.05 eV, which is lower than rGO (3.252 eV), due to enhanced light absorption in the visible range imparted by rGO. The open circuit voltage is 0.75 V, the short circuit current density is 17.88 mA/cm2, and the fill factor is 0.527. Under the illumination of AM 1.5 simulated solar light (100 mW cm-2), the DSSC based on the proposed CoS/rGO CE achieved an efficiency of 7.0759 %.
The Fe2O3@Ni2+ nanoparticles loaded in biocompatible chitosan-based matrix are effectively synthesized using a sol-gel-assisted polymerization method and carefully characterized for their structural, electrochemical, and antibacterial properties. X-Ray diffraction confirms the formation of crystalline NiFe2O4 with crystallite sizes of 17-25 nm, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy shows uniformly dispersed spherical nanoparticles (21-30 nm) within the polymer matrix. This hybrid nanocomposite significantly increases the material's energy storage capability, achieving a notable specific capacitance of 1150 F g-1 at 50 mV s-1, along with a low charge transfer resistance (R ct) of 134.2 Omega. In addition to this high-performance energy storage, the environmentally friendly nanocomposites exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis with an inhibition zone range of 27-45 mm. Also, these samples show an excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria strains, Shigella flexneri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with inhibition zone ranges of 22-42 mm & 29-44, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for these nanocomposites range from 2.5 to 7.5 mg mL-1, while the minimum bactericidal concentration values span from 5 to 10 mg mL-1. The obtained results demonstrate that the chitosan-Fe2O3@Ni2+ nanocomposites are promising eco-friendly materials for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes and biosensing platforms, combining enhanced structural uniformity, electrochemical conductivity, and biocidal effectiveness.
The demand for clean, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions drives significant advancements in materials science. This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of cadmium zinc phosphates (CdO-ZnO-P2O5) doped with different tungsten (CZWP) concentrations using the sol-gel method. The structural, binding energy, morphological, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties were thoroughly examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a crystalline structure with tunable properties influenced by tungsten doping. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed well-ordered nanoparticles exhibiting a homogeneous distribution that was enhanced by W doping. BET reveals a moderate specific surface area, mesoporous structure, and dual-porosity characteristics, offering insights into their potential applications in photocatalysis, energy storage, and gas sensing. The TGA results indicate that tungsten doping in cadmium zinc phosphate reduces the material's coordinated water content and increases the thermal stability of the material. Optical analyses demonstrated a shift in the bandgap and an increase in optical electronegativity, highlighting the material's potential in optoelectronics. Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) identified an optimal doping level of 2.0% W for improved charge transfer and specific capacitance, confirming its suitability for supercapacitors. Furthermore, the 2.0% W-doped electrode exhibited outstanding performance in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensing, achieving high sensitivity, a wide linear range, and low detection limits. These findings highlight CZWP nanostructures as promising candidates for energy storage and sensing applications.
The Fe 2 O 3 @Ni 2+ nanoparticles loaded in biocompatible chitosan‐based matrix are effectively synthesized using a sol–gel‐assisted polymerization method and carefully characterized for their structural, electrochemical, and antibacterial properties. X‐Ray diffraction confirms the formation of crystalline NiFe 2 O 4 with crystallite sizes of 17–25 nm, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy shows uniformly dispersed spherical nanoparticles (21–30 nm) within the polymer matrix. This hybrid nanocomposite significantly increases the material's energy storage capability, achieving a notable specific capacitance of 1150 F g −1 at 50 mV s −1 , along with a low charge transfer resistance ( R ct ) of 134.2 Ω. In addition to this high‐performance energy storage, the environmentally friendly nanocomposites exhibit broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis with an inhibition zone range of 27–45 mm. Also, these samples show an excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram‐negative bacteria strains, Shigella flexneri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , with inhibition zone ranges of 22–42 mm & 29–44, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for these nanocomposites range from 2.5 to 7.5 mg mL −1 , while the minimum bactericidal concentration values span from 5 to 10 mg mL −1 . The obtained results demonstrate that the chitosan–Fe 2 O 3 @Ni 2+ nanocomposites are promising eco‐friendly materials for high‐performance supercapacitor electrodes and biosensing platforms, combining enhanced structural uniformity, electrochemical conductivity, and biocidal effectiveness.
This research accomplished the growth of cadmium zinc tungsten phosphate (CZWP) thin films on both glass and p-Si substrates, employing the sol–gel spin coating method. The sol–gel technique offers a versatile and controlled approach for fabricating nanomaterials with tailored properties. The structural and morphological analyses, conducted through XRD and FE-SEM, provided comprehensive insights into the nature of the films. The optical properties, absorbance behavior, energy gap, refractive indices, dielectric, conductivity, and electronegativity, underwent meticulous examination through UV–Vis spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the zinc cadmium tungsten phosphate diode reveals diffraction lines indicative of a nanostructure featuring a monoclinic-phase Zn2P2O7 and Cd3P6O28. Furthermore, SEM analysis confirms a nanoporous morphology with a nanograpes-like structure in the successful crystalline structure of the cadmium zinc tungsten phosphate nanostructure. The optical absorption studies, covering a wavelength range from 190 to 1500 nm, unveiled both direct and indirect energy band gaps, measuring 4.14 and 3.77 eV, respectively. A rigorous analysis of the I-V-T characteristics for the CZNP/p-Si junction in dark mode led to the identification of key parameters, including the transport ideality factor, barrier height, and series resistance.