Search Results (174)

Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental challenges, such as drought, flooding, heavy metal toxicity, and pathogen attacks. To cope with these stresses, they employ several adaptive strategies. This review highlights the potential of plant-derived smoke (PDS) solution as a natural biostimulant for improving plant health and resilience, contributing to both crop productivity and ecological restoration under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Mitigating effects of PDS solution against various stresses were observed at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels in plants. PDS solution application involves strengthening the cell membrane by minimizing electrolyte leakage, which enhances cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance. The increased reactive-oxygen species were managed by the activation of the antioxidant system including ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase to meet oxidative damage caused by challenging conditions imposed by flooding, drought, and heavy metal stress. PDS solution along with other by-products of fire, such as charred organic matter and ash, can enrich the soil by slightly increasing its pH and improving nutrient availability. Additionally, some studies indicated that PDS solution may influence phytohormonal pathways, particularly auxins and gibberellic acids, which can contribute to root development and enhance symbiotic interactions with soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi. These combined effects may support overall plant growth, though the extent of PDS contribution may vary depending on species and environmental conditions. This boost in plant growth contributes to protecting the plants against pathogens, which shows the role of PDS in enduring biotic stress. Collectively, PDS solution mitigates stress tolerance in plants via multifaceted changes, including the regulation of physico-chemical responses, enhancement of the antioxidant system, modulation of heavy metal speciation, and key adjustments of photosynthesis, respiration, cell membrane transport, and the antioxidant system at genomic/proteomic levels. This review focuses on the role of PDS solution in fortifying plants against environmental stresses. It is suggested that PDS solution, which already has been determined to be a biostimulant, has potential for the revival of plant growth and soil ecosystem under abiotic and biotic stresses. Full article

Electrochemical sensing arrays enable the spatial study of dopamine levels throughout brain slices, the diffusion of electroactive molecules, as well as neurotransmitter secretion from single cells. The integration of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices in the development of electrochemical sensing devices enables large-scale parallel recordings, providing beneficial high-throughput for drug screening studies, brain–machine interfaces, and single-cell electrophysiology. In this paper, an electrochemical sensor capable of recording at 40,000 frames per second using a CMOS sensor array with 1024 electrochemical detectors and a custom field-programmable gate array data acquisition system is detailed. A total of 1024 on-chip electrodes are monolithically integrated onto the designed CMOS chip through post-CMOS fabrication. Each electrode is paired with a dedicated transimpedance amplifier, providing 1024 parallel electrochemical sensors for high-throughput studies. To support the level of data generated by the electrochemical device, a powerful data acquisition system is designed to operate the sensor array as well as digitize and transmit the output of the CMOS chip. Using the presented electrochemical sensing system, both dopamine and hydrogen peroxide diffusions across the sensor array are successfully recorded at 40,000 frames per second across the 32 × 32 electrochemical detector array. Full article

Background/Objectives: The liver, the body’s primary detoxifying organ, is often affected by various inflammatory diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), many of which can be exacerbated by secondary infections such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, bacteremia, and sepsis—particularly in patients with advanced liver dysfunction. The global rise in these conditions underscores the need for effective interventions. Natural products have attracted attention for their potential to support liver health, particularly through synergistic combinations of plant extracts. Epavin, a dietary supplement from Erbenobili S.r.l., formulated with plant extracts like Taraxacum officinale (L.), Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., and Cynara scolymus (L.), known for their liver-supporting properties, has been proposed as adjuvant for liver functions. The aim of this work was to evaluate of Epavin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects against heavy metal-induced toxicity. In addition, the antibacterial effect of Epavin against a panel of bacterial strains responsible for infections associated with liver injuries has been evaluated. Methods: The protection against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ was evaluated in HepG2 and BALB/3T3 cells using the dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay. Its anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by measuring the reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages using the Griess assay. Additionally, the cytoprotecting of Epavin against heavy metal-induced toxicity and oxidative stress were evaluated in HepG2 cells using the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) and DCFH-DA assays. The antibacterial activity of Epavin was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and BS, Staphylococcus aureus 25923, 29213, 43300, and BS) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli 25922, and BS, Klebsiella pneumoniae 13883, 70063, and BS) bacterial strains using the microdilution method in broth, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Epavin effectively reduced oxidative stress in HepG2 and BALB/3T3 cells and decreased NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, Epavin demonstrated a protective effect against heavy metal-induced toxicity and oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. Finally, it exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 mg/mL. Conclusions: The interesting results obtained suggest that Epavin may serve as a valuable natural adjuvant for liver health by enhancing detoxification processes, reducing inflammation, and exerting antibacterial effects that could be beneficial in the context of liver-associated infections. Full article

Ag/AgCl-decorated layered lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) and niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) plasmonic photocatalysts are fabricated through an ionic liquid-mediated co-precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques were used to illustrate the physicochemical properties of the materials. The photoactivity was evaluated for the degradation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92) azo dye, a typical organic contaminant from the textile industry, and U251 cancer cell inactivation. According to the results, Nb₂O₅–Ag/AgCl was able to remove >99% of AB92 solution in 35 min with the rate constant of 0.12 min⁻¹, 2.4 times higher than that of La₂O₃–Ag/AgCl. A pH of 3 and a catalyst dosage of 0.02 g were determined as the optimized factors to reach the highest degradation efficiency under solar energy at noon, which was opted to have the highest sunlight intensity over the reactor. Also, 0.02 mg/mL of Nb₂O₅–Ag/AgCl was determined to be of great potential to reduce cancer cell viability by more than 50%, revealed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) examinations. The mechanism of degradation was also discussed, considering the key role of Ag⁰ nanoparticles in inducing a plasmonic effect and improving the charge separation. This work provides helpful insights to opt for an efficient rare metal oxide with good biocompatibility as support for the plasmonic photocatalysts with the goal of environmental purification under sunlight. Full article

The development of efficient platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) is essential for advancing hydrogen-based energy technologies. In this study, Ni_xMo_100−x composites supported on Carbon Ketjenblack EC-300J (CK) were synthesized via thermal reduction under a controlled Ar/H₂ (95:5) atmosphere to investigate the effect of the Ni/Mo molar ratio on electrocatalytic performance. Structural and morphological analyses by XRD and TEM confirmed the formation of the NiMo alloys and carbide phases with controlled particle size distributions (~18 nm), while BET measurements revealed specific surface areas up to 124.69 m² g⁻¹ for the Pt-loaded samples. Notably, the 3% Pt/Ni₉₀Mo₁₀-CK catalyst exhibited outstanding bifunctional activity in a half-cell configuration, achieving an overpotential of 65.2 mV and a Tafel slope of 41.6 mV dec⁻¹ for the HER, and a Tafel slope of 32.9 mV dec⁻¹ with an exchange current density of 1.03 mA cm⁻² for the HOR. These results demonstrate that compositional tuning and minimal Pt incorporation synergistically enhance the catalytic efficiency, providing a promising platform for next-generation hydrogen electrocatalysts. Full article

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been considered as alternative energy conversion devices because of their high energy conversion efficiency, fuel flexibility, and cost efficiency without precious metal catalysts. In current SOFCs, the cermet anode consists of nickel and ion-conducting ceramic materials, and solid oxide electrolytes and ceramic cathodes have been used. SOFCs normally operate at high temperatures because of the lower ion conductivity of ceramic components at low temperatures, and they have weaknesses in terms of mechanical strength and durability against thermal shock originating from the properties of ceramic materials. To solve these problems, metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) have been designed. SOFCs using metal substrates, such as Ni-based and Cr-based alloys, provide significant advantages, such as a low material cost, ruggedness, and tolerance to rapid thermal cycling. In this article, SOFCs are introduced briefly, and the types of metal substrate used in MS-SOFCs, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each metal support, are reviewed. Full article

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) represent a pivotal technology in renewable energy due to their clean and efficient power generation capabilities. Their role in potential carbon mitigation enhances their viability. SOFCs can operate via a variety of alternative fuels, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, solid carbon, and ammonia. However, several solutions have been proposed to overcome various technical issues and to allow for stable operation in dry methane, without coking in the anode layer. To avoid coke formation thermodynamically, methane is typically reformed, contributing to an increased degradation rate through the addition of oxygen-containing gases into the fuel gas to increase the O/C ratio. The performance achieved by reforming catalytic materials, comprising active sites, supports, and electrochemical testing, significantly influences catalyst performance, showing relatively high open-circuit voltages and coking-resistance of the CH₄ reforming catalysts. In the next step, the operating principles and thermodynamics of methane reforming are explored, including their traditional catalyst materials and their accompanying challenges. This work explores the components and functions of SOFCs, particularly focusing on anode materials such as perovskites, Ruddlesden–Popper oxides, and spinels, along with their structure–property relationships, including their ionic and electronic conductivity, thermal expansion coefficients, and acidity/basicity. Mechanistic and kinetic studies of common reforming processes, including steam reforming, partial oxidation, CO₂ reforming, and the mixed steam and dry reforming of methane, are analyzed. Furthermore, this review examines catalyst deactivation mechanisms, specifically carbon and metal sulfide formation, and the performance of methane reforming and partial oxidation catalysts in SOFCs. Single-cell performance, including that of various perovskite and related oxides, activity/stability enhancement by infiltration, and the simulation and modeling of electrochemical performance, is discussed. This review also addresses research challenges in regards to methane reforming and partial oxidation within SOFCs, such as gas composition changes and large thermal gradients in stack systems. Finally, this review investigates the modeling of catalytic and non-catalytic processes using different dimension and segment simulations of steam methane reforming, presenting new engineering designs, material developments, and the latest knowledge to guide the development of and the driving force behind an oxygen concentration gradient through the external circuit to the cathode. Full article

Transition metal-based catalysts designed for efficient urea oxidation reactions (UOR) are essential for hydrogen production via urea-assisted water electrolysis. A series of amorphous nickel–cobalt boride catalysts supported on nickel foam were in situ synthesized via a stepwise chemical deposition method (SCDM). The systematic investigation focused on the relationships between synthesis parameters (deposition cycles, reactant feed ratio), morphological characteristics, and UOR performance. Notably, the optimized Co-NiB@NF catalyst exhibits a porous hierarchical architecture composed of metallic nanoparticles encapsulated by surface-wrinkled nanosheets, forming abundant exposed active sites. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that this catalyst requires a low cell potential of 1.29 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻². Moreover, it maintains 83% of the initial current density after 10 h of continuous electrolysis, highlighting its superior durability. The structural-property relationship revealed here provides valuable insights into the rational design of efficient amorphous boride catalysts for urea-assisted hydrogen production. Full article

To advance seaweed polysaccharide applications in hydrogel wound dressings, five antibacterial composite hydrogels (groups A~E) were synthesized using oxidized κ-carrageenan (OKC), acrylamide (AM), and progressively increasing concentrations of silver-based metal–organic frameworks (Ag-MOFs). Systematic characterization revealed concentration-dependent effects: (1) positive correlations were obtained for the moisture content (MC, maximized at 82.70% in E) and antibacterial efficacy (dose-dependent enhancement); (2) negative impacts were obtained for the swelling ratio (SR, E: 479% vs. A: 808%); and (3) high-dose drawbacks but low-dose benefits in terms of water resistance (WR), tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB), and microstructure were obtained. Group B demonstrated optimal Ag-MOFs loading, enhancing TS and EB, while excessive Ag-MOFs loading in C~E significantly degraded them (p < 0.05). Microstructural analysis showed severe 3D spatial damage in D~E. Furthermore, cytocompatibility assessments revealed that all groups maintained a cell viability exceeding 90%, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility. Among them, A~C showed a viability statistically equivalent to the control (p > 0.05) and were significantly higher than D~E (p < 0.05). In conclusion, group B emerged as the optimal Ag-MOFs formulation and exhibited superior WR, enhanced mechanical strength (TS and EB), and potent antibacterial activity while maintaining microstructural integrity and excellent biosafety. This Ag-MOFs/OKC/PAM hydrogel provides dual infection prevention and tissue support, maximizing seaweed polysaccharide benefits with excellent biocompatibility. Full article

Biochar, a carbonaceous material derived from biomass, has garnered significant attention for its biomedical applications due to its unique physicochemical properties. Recent advances in functionalized and composite biochar materials have enabled their use in antibacterial and anticancer treatments, as well as biosensing technologies. This review highlights recent advances in the use of biochar for antimicrobial, anticancer, and biosensing applications. Derived from plant-, marine-, or animal-based biomass through pyrolysis, biochar can be functionalized with silver nanoparticles, metal oxides, or polymers to enhance its antimicrobial activity. In anticancer research, biochar demonstrates the ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, modulate the cell cycle, and deliver targeted therapeutics, showing selective cytotoxicity against specific cancer cell types. Furthermore, biochar-based biosensors, when integrated with biomolecules such as enzymes, DNA, or antibodies, exhibit high sensitivity and specificity, making them suitable for precise disease diagnostics. These findings suggest that biochar holds significant potential as a sustainable biomedical material, offering alternatives to conventional antibiotics, supporting cancer therapy, and enabling sensitive biosensing platforms. Future functionalization strategies may further facilitate its clinical translation and practical applications. Full article

Lithium batteries have gained significant attention due to their high energy density, specific capacity, operating voltage, slow self-discharge rate, good cycle stability, and rapid charging capabilities. However, the use of liquid electrolytes presents several safety hazards. Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a promising alternative to mitigate these issues. This study focuses on the preparation of an ionically conductive electrospun membrane and its potential application as an SPE. To support a circular approach and reduce the environmental impact, the target polymeric formulation combines poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and lignin, sourced from paper industry waste. The formulation is optimised to ensure the dissolution of lithium salts and enhance the membrane integrity. The addition of lignin is crucial to contrast the dendrites’ growth and prevent the consequent battery breakdown. The electrospinning process is adjusted to obtain stable, homogeneous nanofibrous membranes, which are characterised using electron scanning microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The membranes’ potential as an SPE is assessed by measuring their ionic conductivity (>10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ above 50 °C) and anodic stability (≈4.6 V vs. Li/Li⁺), and by testing their compatibility with lithium metal by reversible cycling in a symmetric Li|Li cell at 55 °C. Full article

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are versatile power generation devices that can be fed by both gaseous (H₂) and liquid fuels. The development of sustainable, efficient, and stable catalysts for the oxidation of hydrogen (HOR) and oxygen reduction (ORR) under alkaline conditions remains a challenge currently facing AEMFC technology. Reducing the loading of PGMs is essential for reducing the overall cost of AEMFCs. One strategy involves exploiting the synergistic effects of two metals in bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we report that the activity for the HOR and the ORR can be finely tuned through surface engineering of carbon-supported PdAu-PVA NPs. The activity for both ORR and HOR can be adjusted by subjecting the material to heat treatment. Specifically, heat treatment at 500 °C under an inert atmosphere increases the crystallinity and oxophilicity of the nanoparticles, thereby enhancing anodic HOR performance. On the contrary, heat treatment significantly lowers ORR activity, highlighting how reduced surface oxophilicity plays a major role in increasing active sites for ORR. The tailored activity in these catalysts translates into high power densities when employed in AEMFCs (up to 1.1 W cm⁻²). Full article

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co)-based electrocatalysts using the sol–gel method. The focus is on the effect of different support materials on the catalytic performance in alkaline media. The sol–gel technique enables the production of highly uniform electrocatalysts, supported on carbon-based substrates, metal oxides, and conductive polymers. Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to analyze the structure of the synthesized materials, while their electrochemical properties, which are relevant to their application in unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs), were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). This hydrogen energy-converting device integrates water electrolyzers and fuel cells into a single system, reducing weight, volume, and cost. However, their performance is constrained by the electrocatalyst’s oxygen bifunctional activity. To improve URFC efficiency, an ideal electrocatalyst should exhibit high oxygen evolution (OER) and oxygen reduction (ORR) activity with a low bifunctionality index (BI). The present study evaluated the prepared electrocatalysts in an alkaline medium, finding that Pt25-Co75/XC72R and Pt75-Co25/N82 demonstrated promising bifunctional activity. The results suggest that these electrocatalysts are well-suited for both electrolysis and fuel cell operation in anion exchange membrane-unitized regenerative fuel cells (AEM-URFCs), contributing to improved round-trip efficiency. Full article

Our planet is currently facing dual challenges of global warming and energy crisis. The heavy reliance of the energy sector on fossil fuels significantly contributes to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, such as CH₄ and CO₂, in the environment atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Stabilized zirconia-based material offer a promising solutions to address both challenges. As a catalytic support material, active sites incorporated stabilized-zirconia can facilitate the conversions of greenhouse gases like CH₄ and CO₂ into syngas (H₂ and CO). This reaction is popularly known as dry reforming of methane (DRM). Additionally, stabilized zirconia-based materials act as solid-state electrolyte in fuel cells enabling the electrochemical conversion of H₂ and O₂ to generate electricity. Both processes require high-temperature stability and oxide ionic conductivity, making “Ca, Mg, Sc, Y-stabilized zirconia” an optimal choice. In DRM, the key factors influencing catalytic efficiency include metal–support interaction, reducibility, and basicity. Meanwhile, for solid oxide fuel cells, performance is governed by factors such as size-fit, charge imbalance, dopant miscibility, ion conducting phases, densification, electrolyte thickness, and grain boundary volume. This compressive review explores the dual functionality of “Ca, Mg, Sc, Y-stabilized zirconia” as a catalyst’support for DRM and as an solid electrolyte for fuel cells. The most promising research outcomes are highlighted, and future research directions are outlined. By bringing together the catalytic and fuel cell research communities, this study aims to advance sustainable energy technologies and contribute to mitigating environmental and energy crisis through the development of stabilized zirconia-based materials. Full article

Ammonia has attracted much interest as a potential green and renewable hydrogen carrier or energy vector. Compared to hydrogen, ammonia offers several advantages. For example, ammonia has a significantly higher energy density and can be liquefied at room temperature at a moderate pressure of 8 bars. While ammonia can be cracked to supply hydrogen, it is also possible to convert it directly into high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to generate electricity. The Ship-FC project aims to install an ammonia-fed 2MW SOFC system on board the vessel Viking energy to demonstrate the feasibility of zero CO₂ emission shipping. For this NH₃ SOFC system, a catalytic afterburner is required to remove the hydrogen and ammonia present in the SOFC off-gas and to recover heat. The current study analysed the effects of different catalyst supports, with a focus on NO_X formation through the combustion of an SOFC off-gas surrogate. The study investigated the performance of catalysts based on the active metals, platinum and iridium, as well as the catalyst supports, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and TiO₂. The results were correlated with catalyst characterisation data and ammonia TPD results. The investigations showed that the formation of NO_X was clearly affected by the nature of the catalyst support. The highest selectivity towards NO_X was observed for Al₂O₃, followed by SiO₂, and the lowest selectivity was observed for TiO₂. This trend was evident for the supported platinum and iridium catalysts and for the samples exclusively containing the support. The trend for N₂O formation was opposite to that of NO_X formation (TiO₂ > SiO₂ > Al₂O₃) in both the presence and absence of platinum or iridium. Full article