Search Results (15,065)

Background & Aim: The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. Green synthesis approaches and composite nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention as promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize a carbon nanosphere/zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (CNS@ZIF-8) nanocomposite using Rheum cordatum Losinsk. root-derived carbon nanospheres and to evaluate its antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-virulence properties against MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Methods: Carbon nanospheres (CNS) were green-synthesized from the roots of Rheum cordatum Losinsk. and subsequently integrated with ZIF-8 to fabricate the CNS@ZIF-8 nanocomposite. The synthesized materials were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Antibiofilm activity, SEM-based bacterial morphology analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR of virulence- and resistance-associated genes (icaA, dltA, dltB, mepA, and norA) were also performed. Results: Characterization analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the CNS@ZIF-8 nanocomposite. CNS@ZIF-8 exhibited antibacterial activity against both MRSA and MSSA, with MIC and MBC values of 128 and 256 µg/mL, respectively. SEM analysis revealed severe membrane disruption and morphological damage in treated bacterial cells. Gene expression analysis demonstrated significant downregulation of biofilm formation-, cell wall modification-, and efflux pump-associated genes. CNS@ZIF-8 also showed enhanced antioxidant activity compared with pristine ZIF-8, with IC₅₀ values of 45.1 ± 0.55 µg/mL (DPPH) and 9.1 ± 0.44 µg/mL (ABTS), whereas ZIF-8 exhibited IC₅₀ values of 149.2 ± 0.32 and 22.3 ± 0.31 µg/mL, respectively. However, CNS alone displayed the strongest radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) exhibited IC₅₀ values of 23.4 ± 0.42 µg/mL (DPPH) and 26.3 ± 0.63 µg/mL (ABTS). Conclusion: The CNS@ZIF-8 nanocomposite demonstrated promising antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-virulence activities against S. aureus, particularly MRSA. These findings suggest that CNS@ZIF-8 represents a multifunctional nanomaterial with potential for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Full article

Protective gloves used by firefighters and other first responders may be stored for long periods in environments where radon and its decay products can accumulate. However, despite extensive research on the radiation ageing of elastomers, directly comparable data on the long-term response of finished nitrile rubber (NBR) and chloroprene rubber (CR) used as protective glove materials under radon chamber conditions remain limited. Accordingly, this study evaluated time-dependent changes in these two glove materials during up to six months of conditioning. The specimens were conditioned at an approximately constant ²²²Rn activity concentration of 540 kBq/m³, corresponding to a cumulative exposure of up to $2.35\times {10}^6$ kBq/m³. Changes were evaluated using microhardness measurements, mechanical testing, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). NBR exhibited a non-monotonic microhardness response, with an initial increase followed by a gradual decrease during further conditioning; after six months, the microhardness remained higher than that of the reference material. Isolated microcracks became visible after six months. In contrast, CR showed a general decrease in microhardness and earlier surface changes, including increased roughness and micropore formation. Its tensile strength decreased from approximately 1.2 MPa to 0.8 MPa after six months, corresponding to a reduction of about 33%, although force at break partially recovered during the later conditioning period. FTIR analysis revealed only limited chemical changes. Overall, the two materials exhibited distinct time-dependent responses, with NBR retaining greater mechanical and morphological stability than CR under the investigated conditions. Although barrier performance was not assessed directly, the observed defects may increase susceptibility to damage during use, highlighting the importance of appropriate storage, stock rotation, and pre-use inspection. Full article

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) occur in food products as a result of natural and technological processes. Quantitative determination was performed by Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) using the absorption band at 966 cm⁻¹ and a calibration curve developed using glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trielaidate standards, while method precision was 3.03%, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD). In order to evaluate the influence of the processing methods on the trans fatty acid content in food products, a multivariate chemometric analysis was conducted, using principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) analyses. Analysis of the 81 samples revealed the highest trans-fatty acid content in panettone (0.36 g/100 g fat) and the lowest in a boiled egg (0.15 g/100 g fat). It was observed that traditional Romanian products contained lower or comparable amounts of trans fatty acids than industrially processed products, which may be attributed to the use of basic, non-processed ingredients such as butter and eggs, the limited use of partially hydrogenated oils and more controllable thermal processing conditions. Overall, all analyzed samples complied with the current regulatory limit of 2 g of TFA per 100 g of fat. Moreover, even in the context of a festive meal, which is generally associated with higher food consumption, TFA intake did not exceed 1% of total dairy energy intake. Full article

The selective conversion of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into value-added plasticizers offers a promising pathway for advancing polymer circularity within the scope of the circular economy approach. Herein, waste PET bottles were directly upcycled into di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DOTP) via degradative alcoholysis/transesterification with 2-ethylhexanol using four organometallic catalyst systems: butylstannic acid (F), monobutyltin tris(2-ethylhexanoate) (TK), titanium tetraisopropoxide (T), and a hybrid organotin–titanium system (TKT). PET conversion ranged from 84 to 94%, with the T catalyst affording the highest conversion (94%). Notably, the hybrid TKT catalyst provided the most favorable overall performance, achieving an 81% isolated yield and 85.4% selectivity. GC-FID analysis revealed that DOTP-TKT achieved a 92.0% chromatographic area, while GPC confirmed that this product had the lowest proportion of residual oligomers (15.13%) among all PET-derived samples. FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy further confirmed efficient PET-to-DOTP transformation, with DOTP-TKT displaying the closest structural correspondence to commercial DOTP. Amongst the PET-derived products, DOTP-TKT exhibited the most favorable thermal behavior, with a principal maximum degradation temperature (T_max) of approximately 283.5 °C. When incorporated into PVC, PET-derived DOTP-TKT showed enhanced tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break compared with commercial DOTP. These findings demonstrate that the combined Ti–Sn catalyst system simultaneously promotes selective PET depolymerization and product formation while limiting oligomeric residues, providing an effective route for converting post-consumer PET into functional, high-value PVC plasticizers within a circular polymer economy. Full article

This study investigates a three-dimensional electrooxidation (3D-EO) process utilizing steel slag as a particle electrode for the treatment of mature landfill leachate. First, having been used as a particle electrode the steel slag were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Then, the performance of the conventional two-dimensional electrooxidation (2D-EO) process was compared with that of the 3D-EO process incorporating the particle electrode. While the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 36.7% in the 2D-EO process, it was 50.4% in the 3D-EO process. Five different anode materials were tested in each process, where Ti/IrO₂ was determined as the optimum anode for both. The process operating parameters were modeled utilizing machine learning (ML) algorithms. Among the evaluated models, the XGBoost algorithm demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy, yielding high R² values coupled with low mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values. The optimal operating parameters were identified as follows: initial pH = 5, particle electrode dosage = 2 g/L, applied current = 2 A, and reaction time = 120 min. The removal efficiencies for COD, UV₂₅₄, and total organic carbon (TOC) at the optimal conditions reached 83.0%, 85.3%, and 51.8%, respectively, requiring a specific energy consumption of 84.4 kWh/kg COD. The 3D-EO process reduced the inert COD fraction from 80.0% to 65.5%, improving both the biochemical oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand (BOD₅/COD) ratio from 0.1 to 0.4 and the soluble COD fraction from 83.1% to 95.2%. Phytotoxicity assessments indicated that the treated effluent required a 75% dilution to reach a safe, non-toxic threshold (GI > 70%). Overall, the 3D-EO process emerges as a promising and highly effective technology for mature landfill leachate treatment, successfully complemented by the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. Full article

In this study, soy protein isolate, a renewable protein-based biopolymer containing a minor carbohydrate fraction, was formulated into a polymeric binder using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and oxidized glucose and applied to improve the hydro-mechanical behavior of collapsible soils. The resulting soy protein–PVA-based binder (CSP) was evaluated against chitosan through laboratory tests including collapse potential, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), consolidated drained triaxial testing, permeability, and microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). CSP substantially improved the engineering performance of the treated soils. For Soil C, the collapse potential decreased from 9.3% for the untreated soil to 3.0% with only 0.25% CSP. At 1.5% CSP and 9 days of curing, the UCS reached 2367 kPa for Soil C. In consolidated drained triaxial testing, the cohesion of soil C increased from 5 kPa in untreated soil to 734 kPa with 1% CSP, while the corresponding friction angle increased from 24° to 28°. FTIR and SEM observations indicated changes in the chemical environment and composite microstructure after treatment, although FTIR alone does not establish covalent crosslinking. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the CSP-based binder to improve the mechanical and collapse behavior of collapsible soils under the investigated laboratory conditions. Full article

Background: Trans-resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural polyphenolic antioxidant widely used in anti-aging dermocosmetics for its strong radical-scavenging capacity and its activation of cell-protective pathways such as sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). However, its poor aqueous solubility, photochemical lability, and low bioavailability limit its incorporation into topical formulations and its delivery into the skin. Objective: In this study, ethosomal nanocarriers were designed as a phospholipid–ethanol vesicular system to solubilize, stabilize, and control the release of trans-resveratrol for dermocosmetic applications. Microfluidization is not a commonly used method; however, circulating the formulation through the interaction chamber under optimized pressure can produce ethosomes with desirable colloidal stability by this simple process. Methods: Resveratrol-loaded ethosomes were prepared with synthetic phosphatidylcholine (Lipoid P75), ethanol, and vitamin E. Microfluidization was optimized by varying the number of high-pressure homogenization cycles and the applied pressure. Vesicle size, size distribution and distribution uniformity, zeta potential, pH, conductivity, density, and long-term stability were monitored for up to 180 days; morphology was examined by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and molecular compatibility by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A trans-resveratrol high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was developed and validated according to International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Q2 guidelines for quantitative analysis. Encapsulation efficiency was determined by HPLC after ultracentrifugation, cytotoxicity was assessed in human keratinocytes (HaCaT), and in vitro release was evaluated using Franz diffusion cells with two different membranes. Results: All ethosome formulations yielded a nanoscale size distribution (median diameter around 190 nm for loaded and around 90 nm for unloaded) and good colloidal stability, with absolute zeta potentials above the 30 mV threshold at early time points and a skin-compatible pH (around 6.5). The optimized formulation (T16; 1.5% w/w trans-resveratrol, 5% w/w phosphatidylcholine (Lipoid P75), 0.3% w/w vitamin E and 30% w/w ethanol, processed with seven microfluidization cycles) achieved a high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 95.5% on day 1. 84.2% EE was retained after 180 days, consistent with strong partitioning of the lipophilic active into the ethanol–phospholipid bilayer. FTIR confirmed preservation of the phospholipid bilayer and indicated non-covalent loading, with the resveratrol bands largely masked by the dominant lipid signals. Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy (Cryo-SEM) confirmed near-spherical vesicles with narrow size distribution. In vitro release showed a sustained, controlled release profile relative to a 1.5% w/w resveratrol solution. Slower diffusion across the skin-mimicking Strat-M membrane was observed compared to cellulose acetate membrane. Conclusions: Optimized trans-resveratrol-loaded ethosomes represent a stable, efficient vesicular system enabling formulation stability and controlled topical release. The antioxidant and photoprotective efficacy of the loaded system was not assessed in this study and is identified as a topic for future work. Full article

Plastic pollution has become a global environmental issue, yet little is known about how plastics degrade and interact with microbes under polar conditions, especially upon entering the marine environment. Here, we report the first in situ time-series experiment investigating early microbial colonization and surface oxidation of virgin plastics in Antarctic coastal waters. Virgin pellets of polystyrene (PS), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were deployed in Potter Cove (King George/25 de Mayo Island) for 31 days. Biofilm communities were characterized using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, while polymer surface chemistry was assessed by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Across all polymers, plastisphere assemblages were dominated by psychrophilic or psychrotolerant taxa. Plastic-associated communities showed consistent temporal changes over the 31-day exposure, with shifts in the relative abundance of taxa associated with different stages of biofilm development. Exposure time was a stronger determinant of community composition than polymer type. FTIR analyses revealed significant surface oxidation in PS and LDPE, particularly at days 21 and 31, with increases in hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carbon–oxygen indices. PET showed great variability and no consistent oxidative signals over the study period. The chemical shifts partially covaried with taxa associated with later sampling points, suggesting potential, but not yet conclusive, links between biofilm succession and polymer weathering. Our results provide some novel insights into the early dynamics of microbial colonization on plastic surfaces and polymer surface alteration in Antarctic waters, highlighting the importance of integrating microbial and chemical perspectives to understand plastic fate in polar ecosystems. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles involved in intercellular communication and numerous physiological and pathological processes. Their molecular cargo reflects the state of the cell of origin, making EVs promising sources of biomarkers and potential therapeutic agents. However, efficient and selective isolation of EVs from complex biological fluids remains challenging. Immunoaffinity-based approaches offer high selectivity through the recognition of EV-associated surface markers by specific affinity ligands. In this study, silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles were functionalized with a mixture of five VHH–eGFP constructs and evaluated as a solid phase for immunoaffinity isolation of EVs from human plasma. Surface modification of the nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, while protein-binding studies showed a maximum binding capacity (Qmax) of 118.2 mg/g. The developed material was then applied for EV isolation from plasma, and the resulting EV-enriched preparations were characterized by protein and lipid quantification, nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, and atomic force microscopy. NTA revealed a median particle diameter of 124 nm and a particle concentration of 6.9 × 10⁹ particles/mL. The presence of the EV-associated markers CD9, CD63, and CD81, together with their reduced signal following Triton X-100 treatment, supported the vesicular nature of the isolated particles. The affinity material could be reused over five consecutive isolation cycles, and EVs could be detected from plasma volumes as low as 25 µL. These results demonstrate the potential of VHH-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a reusable and adaptable platform for immunoaffinity-based EV isolation from human plasma. Full article

Cadmium contamination in fruits is a relevant food-safety concern because of its toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential transfer from agricultural soils to edible plant tissues. This study developed a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with graphene oxide and cysteamine (SPCE/GO–cysteamine) to determine Cd(II) by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Two surface-modification routes, GO-cysteamine and GO-rGO-cysteamine, and GO concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ were compared by cyclic voltammetry. The direct GO-cysteamine route at 0.2 mg mL⁻¹ produced the highest CV response among the tested conditions and was selected for Cd(II) determination. Raman spectroscopy FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the graphene-based materials employed during surface optimization. Cd(II) concentrations from 1 to 10 µg L⁻¹ were experimentally evaluated; with a calculated LOQ of 0.74 µg L⁻¹, the entire experimentally evaluated range of 1–10 µg L⁻¹, with a sensitivity of 11.30 µA (µg L⁻¹)⁻¹, R² = 0.9892, a limit of detection of 0.25 µg L⁻¹ and a limit of quantification of 0.74 µg L⁻¹. Fortified Kent mango and Hass avocado digestates also showed concentration-dependent responses, with R² values of 0.9799 and 0.9788, respectively, and relative standard deviations below 5%. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the SPCE/GO–cysteamine platform for Cd(II) determination in digested fruit matrices and support its further development as a portable screening approach for food-quality control. Full article

Fluconazole (FLU) is a widely used antifungal drug, and its reliable determination is important for quality control in pharmaceutical analysis. This study aimed to develop a simple and accurate FLU-selective potentiometric sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). The prepared MIP was evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopy and TG/DSC analysis. The sensor was characterized using direct potentiometry. The influence of membrane composition on sensor response was investigated by varying the MIP content and plasticizer type. The optimized sensor contained 12.5% MIP and dibutyl sebacate as the plasticizer. It exhibited a near-Nernstian response with a slope of 56.1 mV/decade of activity, a wide measuring range (1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻³ M), and a low limit of detection (7.5 × 10⁻⁸ M). Additionally, it showed a fast response (5 s), low signal drift (−0.6 mV/h), and excellent selectivity attributed to the recognition properties of the MIP. The sensor applicability was confirmed by FLU determination in standard solutions and pharmaceutical samples using direct potentiometry and the Gran method. Both approaches provided acceptable results, while the Gran method showed slightly better agreement with the expected FLU concentrations, with recoveries within ±10%. The developed sensor enables reliable FLU determination in pharmaceutical samples. Full article

Background/Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with clinical and serological heterogeneity. Current laboratory assays show variable performance for disease detection and risk stratification, resulting in diagnostic delays exceeding six years. There is an unmet need for improved diagnostic and monitoring tools. This study examines the clinical application of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a rapid, label-free technique for classifying SLE and other connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Methods: Serum samples from patients with SLE, Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), undifferentiated CTD (UCTD), and healthy controls (HCs) were analysed by FTIR spectroscopy followed by genetic algorithm–linear discriminant analysis (GA-LDA) modelling at two time points: baseline and six-month follow-up. Results: FTIR spectroscopy reliably differentiated CTDs from HCs with accuracies of 94.2% (inclusive of all time points), 99.3% at baseline, and 97.5% at follow-up. SLE patients were successfully separated from disease controls, achieving classification accuracies of 100% at baseline and 97.4% at follow-up. Subgroup analysis also demonstrated good classification accuracies for SLE (81.7%), SS (82.9%), and UCTD (86.1%), with discriminatory spectral features aligning with disease-related biochemical assignments. Notably, wavenumbers associated with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and DNA showed increased absorbance intensities in CTD patients, potentially reflecting immune dysregulation and metabolic changes. Conclusions: FTIR spectroscopy can reliably distinguish patients with SLE from both other CTDs and healthy individuals and may offer greater diagnostic utility than conventional serological testing. Identification of longitudinal variations in wavenumber biomarkers further supports the clinical potential of this technique and suggests possible future applications in therapeutic monitoring and risk stratification within rheumatological autoimmune disorders. Full article

Phase separation-induced bilayer construction offers a one-step strategy to reduce the moisture susceptibility of polysaccharide edible films, yet the spatial distribution mechanism of the hydrophobic phase remains unclear. Herein, agar/maltodextrin (AM) films incorporated with five distinct waxes (soy wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax) were fabricated to investigate how the intrinsic melting behaviors of lipids regulate phase separation, microstructural evolution, and film properties. ATR-FTIR analysis indicated that the upward migration and aggregation of waxes weakened the molecular interactions within the upper AM matrix. SEM and AFM observations confirmed that the formation of a wax-enriched surface layer is strongly dependent on the relationship between the wax melting point and the film-drying temperature. The AM-candelilla wax (AM-CW) film exhibited the most distinct phase separation, forming a pseudo-bilayer structure that yielded the lowest water vapor permeability (3.82 × 10⁻¹³ g·m⁻¹·s⁻¹·Pa⁻¹). Conversely, carnauba wax (CRW), possessing a melting point higher than the drying temperature, underwent premature crystallization before the matrix fully dried. This hindered full stratification and resulted in a random wax distribution within the AM network, compromising the moisture barrier. Furthermore, DSC, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy showed that higher wax melting temperatures induced greater crystalline ordering. This highly ordered structure provided the AM-CRW film with the highest tensile strength (22.57 MPa) and Young’s modulus (867.99 MPa), but at the expense of a significantly reduced elongation at break (3.59%). These findings demonstrate that matching lipid melting properties with processing temperatures is critical for tailoring phase separation and optimizing the barrier performance of biopolymer-based food packaging. Full article

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) account for approximately 5.3% of global plastic production and are highly persistent in the environment due to their resistance to degradation. Their progressive fragmentation into micro- and nanoplastics, together with the presence of hazardous additives and their ability to adsorb emerging contaminants, increases their environmental impact. This study evaluates the enzymatic degradation of rigid PUFs derived from industrial waste at the upper size limit of microplastics as a step toward developing environmentally sustainable strategies for mitigating plastic pollution across multiple scales. Rigid PUFs were treated using three laccase-based systems (purified, immobilized, and enzyme cocktail), and the transformation process was evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). SEM analysis revealed surface erosion, cracking, and pore wall thinning, particularly in cocktail-treated samples. FT-IR and Raman spectra revealed chemical transformations in the polyurethane matrix, while GC-MS detected compounds consistent with polyurethane degradation byproducts, including 1-methylcycloheptene, 2,5-furandione, and aromatic amines, suggesting oxidative transformation of the polyurethane matrix. DLS measurements detected particles within the nanoscale size range, with diameters as small as 262.58 ± 15.65 nm following enzyme cocktail treatment. The maximal weight loss (5.36% ± 0.01) was achieved using purified laccase over a 24-day period. This study demonstrates the biocatalytic potential of laccase enzymes for polyurethane transformation and highlights their promise for the development of sustainable remediation strategies. These findings provide a foundation for future biotechnological applications targeting plastic waste and support the development of environmentally sustainable polymer degradation technologies. Full article

In this work, the impact of UV (ultaviolet) radiation combined with thermal treatments and Ag doping in TiO₂ transparent films on crystal structure and light absorption in the visible spectral region is investigated. The nanostructured TiO₂:Ag films were obtained via sol–gel spin-coating deposition, using UV radiation between layers. The substrates used were quartz and silicon wafers. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that the structural features of TiO₂:Ag films were strongly dependent on the annealing temperatures. The presence of Ag nanoparticles and a small silver oxide fraction in the film structure was found. The formation of AgO and Ag nanoparticles is affected by thermal annealing and the UV radiation treatment. The transmittance, absorbance and reflectance spectra were used for determining the optical behavior and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of TiO₂:Ag thin films. Optical characterization revealed increased optical absorption in the whole visible range of TiO₂ thin films with incorporated Ag NPs. The dependence of the plasmonic absorption bands, the values of the optical band gap on the number of layers (from one to five) and the high-temperature treatments (from 150 to 800 °C) were studied. Full article