Oleogels have emerged as promising anhydrous semisolid systems for dermato-cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications owing to their improved physicochemical stability, enhanced occlusive properties, reduced dependence on preservatives, and ability to incorporate and deliver both lipophilic and dispersed hydrophilic bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to develop and comprehensively characterize a multifunctional lipid-based oleogel incorporating a Matricaria chamomilla hydroglyceric extract together with sea buckthorn oil and sweet almond oil as natural sources of antioxidant and skin-protective phytoconstituents for potential topical applications. The formulation was prepared by the melt method and comprehensively characterized for its physicochemical, functional, and biological properties. The chamomile extract exhibited a high phenolic content and pronounced antioxidant activity, while HPLC-DAD analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic phenolic acids and flavonoids. The developed oleogel showed good physicochemical stability under accelerated storage conditions, appropriate pH for topical application, favorable spreadability, pseudoplastic flow behavior with a Casson yield stress of 0.19 Pa, and a homogeneous microstructure with a mean droplet size of 5.4 ± 1.1 μm. The formulation also demonstrated pronounced occlusive properties (67.9 ± 0.3% and 56.4 ± 0.2% after 24 and 48 h, respectively), preserved the antioxidant activity of the incorporated phytoconstituents, and provided controlled biphasic release of phenolic compounds, reaching 64.9 ± 5.9% after 24 h in Franz diffusion studies. Furthermore, no cytotoxic effects were observed on HaCaT keratinocytes, confirming the good in vitro biocompatibility of the formulation. Overall, the developed oleogel successfully combined physicochemical stability, preserved antioxidant functionality, controlled phenolic release, pronounced occlusive properties, and biocompatibility, highlighting the potential of anhydrous oleogel systems as multifunctional topical delivery platforms for plant-derived bioactive compounds.

Glyphosate (Gly) is a broad-spectrum herbicide extensively used for weed control in grain crop production. Its overuse has led to several issues, including contamination of surface water, decreased soil fertility, and incorporation into food chains, resulting in toxic effects on human health. To address these issues, we developed a new reliable method to selectively and sensitively detect glyphosate in surface waters based on a surface acoustic wave (SAW) mechanism integrated with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based technology. The sensing layer derived from chitosan was obtained in the presence of Gly as template molecule by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The chitosan-based polymers were characterized through different techniques, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing the morphological and structural features of the polymer matrix. The developed MIP-SAW sensor showed high affinity toward Gly in buffer solutions, resulting in a sensitivity of 29.7°/ppb and a limit of detection of 0.4 ppb. Glyphosate molecules bind rapidly to specific recognition sites found at the interface between the MIP and the aqueous phase, evidencing surface-dependent interactions that cause a rapid change in the phase shift response. Moreover, the MIP-SAW sensor was tested in real water samples in the 0.01 ppb - 10 ppb glyphosate concentration range. The response of the MIP-SAW sensor was evaluated, resulting in a sensitivity of 1°/ppb, with an excellent limit of detection of 0.12 ppb. Selectivity studies further demonstrated the absence of interference with phosmet, chlorpyriphos, and glufosinate species.

Multifunctional dressings capable of maintaining a moist environment, supporting tissue regeneration, and delivering bioactive compounds are increasingly being explored as promising strategies for burn wound management. In this study, alginate-based emulgel patches incorporating hydrophilic and lipophilic plant extracts were developed by extrusion-based 3D printing as potential topical systems for burn wound applications. The formulation included sodium alginate, hyaluronic acid, and hydroglyceric extracts of Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, and Plantago major, as well as oily extracts of Hippophae rhamnoides and Hypericum perforatum. The emulgel was evaluated for pH, rheological behaviour, spreadability, physical stability, apparent hydrodynamic size distribution, zeta potential, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity. Following Ca2+-induced crosslinking, uniform and flexible 3D-printed patches were obtained and further characterised for pharmacotechnical, physicochemical, structural, functional, and biological properties. The emulgel exhibited suitable characteristics for extrusion-based printing, while the resulting patches showed good dimensional uniformity, flexibility, swelling capacity, water vapour transmission, and surface pH compatible with topical application. FTIR, DLS, SEM, and SEM–EDX analyses supported the formation of a Ca2+-crosslinked alginate network and confirmed the presence of structurally heterogeneous domains with homogeneous calcium distribution. The patches retained plant-derived bioactive compounds, with a total polyphenol content of 0.2878 ± 0.016 mg GAE/g hydrated patch, and showed improved antioxidant activity compared with the corresponding emulgel. In vitro release studies indicated the time-dependent diffusion of polyphenols over 24 h, with cumulative release reaching 64.42%. The patches also exhibited a water vapour transmission rate of 1270 ± 93 g/m2/24 h, indicating adequate moisture regulation. HaCaT cell viability remained above 90% at lower tested concentrations, demonstrating a favourable biocompatibility profile. Overall, the developed 3D-printed alginate emulgel patches represent promising multifunctional systems for potential burn wound management and warrant further preclinical investigation.

The incorporation of plant-derived oils into cosmetic formulations has attracted increasing interest due to their natural origin, skin compatibility, and multifunctional formulation roles. Argan and castor oils are widely used in cosmetic products as emollient lipid components with intrinsic antioxidant properties. However, limited studies have systematically evaluated the physicochemical stability and antioxidant performance of emulsions combining these two oils. The aim of this study was to develop and comprehensively characterize a stable oil-in-water (O/W) cosmetic emulsion based on argan and castor oils using a natural non-ionic emulsifier (C14-22 Alcohol (and) C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside). Particular emphasis was placed on formulation stability, as it represents a critical prerequisite for further product evaluation. Stability was investigated through thermal stress testing (4-37 degrees C), centrifugation assays, droplet size analysis, and zeta potential measurements. Complementary physicochemical and structural characterization was performed using rheological analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The formulated emulsion exhibited good physical stability with no phase separation under the tested conditions, a skin-compatible pH, a uniform droplet size distribution (4.15 +/- 0.68 & micro;m), and pseudoplastic, moderately thixotropic rheological behavior. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, yielding an IC50 value of 19.21 +/- 1.02 mg/mL. Overall, this study provides a formulation-oriented framework for the development and evaluation of stable natural oil-based O/W emulsions intended for cosmetic applications, supporting future optimization and biological validation.

In the present paper, In2O3 NPs were synthesized by a wet-chemical method, in the absence and presence of the surfactant, and deposited as thin films on silicon substrates. After deposition, the films were subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 550 °C, 750 °C, and 900 °C, for 300 s, under an inert atmosphere. The correlation between the morphological, structural, and optical characteristics, the wetting capacity of In2O3 films synthesized under different synthesis conditions, and the influence of the RTA treatment are presented. The vibrations of In-O bonds for In2O3 samples were confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. Structural analysis shows that In2O3 NPs have a cubic crystalline structure, but with the increase in temperature at 900 °C, diffraction peaks characteristic of the tetragonal phase of indium appear, correlated with a decrease in lattice parameters, as a result of the crystallinity. The morphology of the In2O3 samples was studied by SEM, revealing predominantly spherical and uniformly distributed particles with nanometric sizes. The absorption spectra of the In2O3 NPs showed peaks in the ultraviolet region, and the high energy bandgap value of the In2O3 films varied between 3.28 and 4.33 eV, depending on the samples and RTA treatment. The contact angle measurements of In2O3 films determined the wetting capacity of the surface, reflecting changes in surface morphology and structure induced by the RTA process. The results suggest that In2O3 thin films with spherical nanoparticles, good wettability, and percolation can be used for the development of sensors with increased selectivity and sensitivity.

This paper reports several preliminary investigations concerning the relative humidity (RH) detection response of a chemiresistive sensor that uses a novel sensing film based on a matrix nanocomposite comprising pristine carbon nano-onions and polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer at 1/1 w/w. The sensing device, including a polyimide substrate and gold electrodes, is obtained by depositing by drop casting the sensing layer on the sensing structure. The sensing layer’s morphology and composition are analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The experimental measurements show that the resistance of the tested nanocomposite slightly increases with RH for RH less than 50% and has a sharp increase with RH for larger RH. Several types of possible RH sensing mechanisms are identified and discussed. The decrease of the hole concentration in the CNOs in interaction with water molecules, which act as electron donors, and the rapid swelling of the hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer at high RH levels are the RH sensing mechanisms that best explain the measured RH detection behavior. The hard–soft acid–base principle also supports the experimental data. The hysteresis characteristic of the sensor is improved after the first operating cycle.

Experimental reproducibility in biomedical devices is a challenging issue, mainly caused by cell adhesion and proliferation problems. Several surface treatment methods have been suggested to solve these problems but the use of an intermediate layer of covalent bounded proteins appears to be the most encouraging strategy. In this study an artificial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane suitable for 3D cell culture coated with collagen was developed and characterized in order to create a device for biomedical applications. To assess the procedure, we evaluated how the functionalization process impacted the structural and physical stability of the membranes.

Alloys and metals exhibit high sensitivity to corrosion and aggressive environments. Hence, the development of protective treatments through accessible methods with a high degree of protection has become a necessity. This paper presents a method for treating the hydrophilic surface of aluminum alloys using two types of unsaturated fatty acids, thereby increasing the degree of hydrophobicity and protecting the material. The samples were cleaned by a chemical process, followed by immersion in oleic acid (C18H34O2, 18:1 cis-9) and elaidic acid (C18H34O2, 18:1 trans-9), and they were then treated at a temperature of 80 °C. Morphological and microstructural analyses were conducted using OM, FE-SEM, EDX, and FTIR to understand the influence of unsaturated monocarboxylic fatty acids on the alloy surfaces. The wettability capacity of the alloys was investigated by measuring the contact angle (CA). The results revealed that the cleaning step and modification treatment with fatty acids are essential steps for increasing the hydrophobic character of the surface. This study can be applied to various types of metallic substrates to enhance their corrosion resistance and long-term chemical stability in aggressive environments, making it adaptable for use in different industrial fields.

This work presents a method for synthesis of ternary defined architecture material based on nickel cobalt double layered hydroxide (NiCoLDH), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN). Each individual component and ternary material was characterized using SEM, FTIR, Raman and XRD spectroscopy. The CV and GCD measurements were performed in 1M KOH aqueous solution demonstrating this material has a promising potential as cathode active material for aqueous supercapacitors.

In the present paper, the research was focused on the synthesis of Y2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) by a chemical method using yttrium nitrate hexahydrate, urea and ammonium hydroxide, deposition of the oxide precursors as thin films on silicon substrate, and drying in a desiccator at room temperature before thermal treatment. Then, the prepared samples were subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at a heating rate of 10 °C/sec. maintained at 600 and 900 °C for 600 sec., in nitrogen atmosphere. The morphological, structural, and wettability characteristics of Y2O3 films have been obtained using advanced analytical investigation tools. Morphological characterization (SEM) reveals nanometric particle sizes with a rough surface, and a slight tendency to agglomeration. The compositional analysis (EDX) revealed Y2O3 nanoparticles without impurities, supported by specific Y and O elements. The study of the vibrational characteristics of the synthesized samples was conducted using two complementary spectrometric techniques (FTIR and Raman), which revealed the characteristic vibration bands of the Y-O bond. The structural analysis (XRD) shows a cubic crystalline structure, revealing the high purity of the Y2O3 samples. The surface wetting capacity of Y2O3 films, as investigated by contact angle measurement, indicates a hydrophilic character and good percolation, with a direct impact on the performance of the material in various technological sectors.

This study investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) extracts, along with their role in the green synthesis of gold (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Bioreduction was achieved using aqueous and ethanolic extracts (100 mg/mL), enabling solvent-dependent comparisons. Nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and zeta potential analysis. Each technique revealed complementary aspects of nanoparticle morphology, size, and stability, with UV-Vis indicating aggregation states and DLS confirming solvent-related size variation even at 3-5% ethanol. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from Dandelion showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while silver nanoparticles from both plants were effective against Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that silver nanoparticles obtained from ethanolic Dandelion extract containing 3% ethanol in aqueous solution (AgNPsEETOH3%-D) significantly reduced LoVo (p = 4.58 × 10-3) and MDA-MB-231 (p = 7.20 × 10-5) cell viability, with high selectivity indices (SI), suggesting low toxicity toward normal cells. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous Dandelion extract (AuNPsEaq-D) also showed favorable SI values (2.16 for LoVo and 8.41 for MDA-MB-231). Although some formulations demonstrated lower selectivity (SI < 1.5), the findings support the therapeutic potential of these biogenic nanoparticles. Further in vivo studies and pharmacokinetic evaluations are required to validate their clinical applicability.

The green synthesis of bioactive nanomaterials is becoming more attractive in various fields like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, etc. In this study, bacterial cellulose-silver and bacterial cellulose-gold bionanocomposites were obtained through an environmentally friendly and low-cost method without using additional reducing agents. In the first step, the bacterial cellulose, a byproduct from kombucha production using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), was purified using an alkaline solution. In the second step, the purified bacterial cellulose (SBC) was used to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the bacterial cellulose matrix, starting only from metal precursors in different media: water, black tea, and kombucha. Gold and silver nanoparticles were obtained on cellulose fibrils in all media, even in water, indicating the reducing role of cellulose. The morphology and structural features of the noble metal nanoparticles/bacterial cellulose nanocomposites (AgNPs/SBC and AuNPs/SBC) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show nanoparticles with an irregular shape with dimensions ranging from a few nanometers up to 70 nm, depending on the synthesis medium. TEM analysis revealed mostly quasi-spherical nanoparticles distributed along the surface of the cellulose fibers or within the interfibrillar pores. All nanoparticles are well crystallized and generally formed from more than two nanocrystallites, except AuNPs obtained in kombucha which are monocrystalline. XRD analysis shows the characteristic diffractograms of Iβ cellulose allomorphs and confirms the formation of crystalline AgNPs and AuNPs. The antioxidant capacity tests determined that the best activity was registered for the AgNPs/SBC composites obtained in kombucha and fresh black tea. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Cellulose-silver and cellulose-gold nanocomposites showed increased antimicrobial activity compared with raw SBC, especially in the case of kombucha medium for green synthesis. The highest antioxidant activity, determined by DPPH and ABTS assays, was obtained for AgNPs/SBC produced in kombucha and fresh black tea. Based on the results, cellulose-silver and cellulose-gold nanocomposites could be considered as bioactive materials for multiple practical applications, such as the medical field and food packaging.

The demand for innovative materials with multiple properties, that are economically feasible, has opened the way for materials such as polycrystalline transparent ceramics. These ceramics have the advantage of materials with high mechanical resistance, good thermal and chemical stability, optical transparency, biocompatibility, adaptable properties, transmission range from UV to IR, the possibility of doping with rare earths. In addition, they have found their utility in aerospace and military applications, the manufacturing of high-temperature IR windows or armored windows, electro-optical devices, lasers, scintillators, catalysts, fluorescent markers etc. In this paper, we studied the influence of process parameters on the hydrothermal synthesis of yttrium oxide ceramics. Practically, we used yttrium nitrate and urea in the presence of polyethylene glycol, and the colloidal precipitate was transferred to a 40 ml autoclave and maintained at 150°C for 12 h. The resulting precursor was subjected to a thermal treatment at 600°C for 3 h. The effects of the process parameters on the structure, morphology and optical properties were investigated in detail. The transition from the precursor to the crystalline phase of yttrium oxide was observed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of M-O bonds, while XRD data demonstrated the progression of the crystalline phase. The particles’ spherical form and rounded edges were seen at SEM. The optical investigations validated the utility and suitability of the proposed method for the production of yttrium oxide-based ceramics.

This paper investigates the possibility to obtain yttrium aluminum garnet doped with cerium ions (YAG:Ce) phosphor, improve the emissive properties by modification with metal nanoparticles, followed by embedding into the polymer matrix, and deposition of nanocomposite on a flexible substrate to produce the white light by excitation with a blue chip. YAG:Ce yellow phosphor was obtained by a modified solid-state process, followed by in-situ anchoring of gold nanoparticles (Au@YAG). To deposit the phosphor on the flexible substrate, the Au@YAG nanocomposite was embedded in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix using the ex-situ method. The quality of the phosphor particles and composites was studied using FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The applicability of the developed materials and the efficiency of methods were confirmed by the photometric studies performed on the composite film to determine the chromaticity coordinates, leading to the parameters of the semiconductor device that generates cold white light.

We present a novel approach for the synthesis of crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowders based on the direct interaction of high-power microwave radiation with a zinc wire in atmospheric air. The process utilizes a localized microwave-induced plasma to rapidly vaporize the metal, followed by oxidation and condensation, resulting in the deposition of ZnO nanostructures on glass substrates. Plasma diagnostics confirmed the generation of a plasma in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), characterized by high electron temperatures. Optical emission spectroscopy highlighted atomic species such as ZnI, ZnII, OI, OII, and NI, as well as molecular species including OH, N2 and O2. The spectral fingerprint of N2 molecules reveals the presence of high energy electrons, while the persistent occurrence of OI and OII emission lines throughout the plasma spectrum reveals that ZnO formation is mainly driven by the continuous dissociation of molecular oxygen. High crystallinity and chemical purity of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were confirmed through SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and EDX characterization. The resulting nanorods exhibit a rod-like morphology, with diameters ranging from 12 nm to 63 nm and lengths between 58 nm and 354 nm. This low-cost, high-yield method offers a scalable and efficient route for metal oxide nanomaterial fabrication via direct metal-microwave coupling, providing a promising alternative to conventional physical and chemical synthesis techniques.

In the present paper, the interaction between metal oxide nanoparticles and carbon materials was studied, and the results showed a synergetic effect, leading to an improvement in the properties of the obtained hybrid composites. The In2O3 NPs were prepared by the precipitation method and thermal treatment at 550 °C. The composites were obtained using an ex situ method, by mixing the In2O3 NPs with reduced oxide graphene (rGO) in a ratio of 10:1. The structural, morphological, and chemical composition studies of the In2O3 NPs and In2O3-rGO composites were investigates by FTIR and EDX spectroscopy, SEM microscopy, and XRD analysis. These techniques have highlighted the obtaining of In2O3 of high purity, and crystallinity, with the mean particle size in the range of 8–25 nm, but also, the dispersion of In2O3 NPs onto rGO sheets. We examined the influence of the In2O3 nanostructure morphology and In2O3-rGO composites on the electrochemical properties using cyclic voltammetry. The surface properties of the In2O3 and composite films were studied by contact angles, which indicate the maintenance of the hydrophilic nature. The obtained results establish the synergy between the main components to form In2O3-rGO, which can be used for the development of biosensors to enhance the device performance.

This paper analyzes the behavior of some epoxy resin samples subjected to thermal treatment through temperature variation. After being prepared, the polymeric material was subjected to a temperature variation from +150(o)C to -20(o)C during 10 cycles. The effect of thermal cycles on epoxy resin samples was studied with the help of FTIR, SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, electrical, and dielectric measurements. The results show that the thermal treatment to which the samples are subjected produces changes in their structure and morphology and affects the electrical and dielectric properties of the studied epoxy resin.

This paper presents two variants of the MOS biosensors in respect to the arrangement and place of the enzymatic membrane: enzyme over the gate layer as ENFET (ENzyme Field Effect Transistor) or enzyme entrapping on a separate area connected through a long trace to the gate, as EGFET (Extended Gate Field Effect Transistor). First case is associated by Atlas device simulations, while the second one is accompanied by preliminary experiments for the enzyme immobilization.

Titanium dioxide thin films have been successfully coated on glass substrates using reactive magnetron sputtering and we highlight how different deposition parameters influence the crystalline structure and optical properties of the deposited layers. After the deposition process, amorphous films were obtained and after thermal treatments, the crystalline structure transformed to anatase and rutile forms, depending on the deposition parameters. The grown thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry and UV-visible spectroscopy). In order to confirm the results obtained regarding the ellipsometric measurements, the OPTIFIT software was used to determine the variation of the refractive indices from the transmission spectrum measured by spectroscopy.

The biomedical area uses nanostructured materials to maximize therapeutic advantages while minimizing invasiveness and toxicity. Their applications include drug delivery, therapy activation, diagnostics, and real-time therapeutic response monitoring. The development of materials for sensors and electrochemical analysis has become essential for monitoring biomolecules. The concentration, size, and dispersion of nanoparticles in the carbonaceous matrix are the main factors that influence the conductivity of nanocomposites. The strong interactions and high surface energy of graphene materials often moderate its homogeneous compatibility with various media. In the present work, we propose the synthesis of zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) and their integration with carbonaceous materials to create nanocomposites with electrochemical uses. ZnO QDs were obtained through the precipitation method. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using the Hummer technique. ZnO-GO was obtained via the in situ hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized through a variety of analytical methods to understand their morphology, size, structural phase purity, functional groups, and wetting capacity. Using spectroscopic analysis, the materials—the oxide, the carbonaceous material, and the composite—were examined from a structural perspective. Using a field-emission scanning electron microscope, the surface morphology, particle size, and distribution of the nanoparticles in the carbon material were investigated. The goniometric investigations monitored the nanocomposite's wetting and percolation capacities.