Search Results (1,972)

We report a low-temperature plasma–liquid synthesis of crystalline β-Ga₂O₃ nanoparticles directly from aqueous solution. Pulsed discharge plasma bubbles generate reactive species that drive in situ dehydration and crystallization, bypassing the high-temperature calcination required by conventional methods. By varying the carrier gas, we tune morphology from uniform nanorice structures (He, Ar, and N₂) to amorphous microspheres (O₂ and air), revealing how plasma composition governs interfacial hydroxyl radical chemistry and growth kinetics. This approach demonstrates that localized plasma heating and reactive-species flux can achieve phase-selective oxide crystallization under ambient conditions, establishing plasma bubble reactors as a broadly applicable, low-temperature route for direct aqueous synthesis of crystalline wide-bandgap oxides that bridge solution chemistry and plasma nanomaterials design. Full article

Green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles is a promising route to reduce toxic reagents and energy consumption while enabling biocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical use. In this work, cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized using lemon juice and sucrose as bio-based chelating, capping and stabilizing agents. Three synthesis routes were designed by varying the use of lemon juice, sucrose, or their combination. The synthesized materials were characterized using thermal analysis (DSC—Differential Scanning Calorimetry and TGA—Thermogravimetric Analysis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, their antibacterial activity was assessed against Gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Thermal analysis showed that heat treatment at 600 °C promotes high crystallinity, as evidenced by the development of sharp diffraction peaks associated with the cubic fluorite CeO₂ structure, and a dominant F_2g Raman mode at 463 cm⁻¹. SEM micrographs revealed nanometric particles and highlighted that combining lemon juice and sucrose effectively suppresses coalesced structures, yielding more homogeneous morphologies. Crystallite size calculations gave average sizes of 17.2 nm, with the lemon juice-only route producing the largest crystallites. Antibacterial tests revealed a clear dose-dependent inhibition of S. aureus, with marked inhibition of bacterial growth at concentrations ≥5 mg/mL and a plateau effect above 25 mg/mL. This study confirms the feasibility of using plant-based extracts as sustainable reagents for CeO₂ nanoparticle synthesis, with promising structural and biological performance for potential biomedical applications. Full article

Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a powerful analytical technique, offering molecular fingerprint specificity and ultrasensitive detection of cardiac biomarkers. Recent advances in plasmonic nanostructures, surface functionalization strategies, and flexible sensing platforms have significantly improved the analytical performance of SERS-based biosensors. In parallel, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has enabled robust interpretation of complex spectral datasets, facilitating automated biomarker classification and improved diagnostic accuracy in heterogeneous biological environments. Despite these advances, the field remains fragmented, with limited integration between nanomaterial design, biomarker selection, and data-driven analysis, and persistent challenges related to reproducibility, standardization, and clinical validation. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of AI-assisted SERS platforms for cardiovascular diagnostics, integrating advances in plasmonic materials, biomolecular recognition, and intelligent spectral analysis within a unified framework. It further examines key translational barriers, including data variability, model interpretability, and scalability, and outlines future directions for developing standardized, edge-deployable, and clinically validated SERS-AI systems. Full article

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has promoted the development of advanced biomaterials capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional antibiotics. In this context, metal nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels (MNHHs) have emerged as multifunctional platforms that integrate the high water-retention capacity and biocompatibility of hydrogels with the antimicrobial properties of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs). This review critically analyzes recent advances in the design, physicochemical properties, antimicrobial mechanisms, and biomedical applications of these systems. Current evidence demonstrates that MNHHs can achieve antimicrobial efficiencies above 98–99%, with minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.78 µg mL⁻¹ and inhibition zones of up to 25 mm against clinically relevant pathogens. Furthermore, the incorporation of MNPs significantly improves the mechanical properties of hydrogels and enables controlled and sustained metal ion release for periods of up to 14 days. Despite these promising results, important challenges remain regarding cytotoxicity, release control, the lack of experimental standardization, and the limited understanding of long-term biological effects. Overall, MNHHs represent a promising strategy for infection control, regenerative medicine, and controlled drug delivery; however, their clinical translation still requires the development of reproducible, safe, scalable, and highly biocompatible systems. Full article

Biomass-derived carbon dots (CDs) have attracted increasing attention in agriculture due to their simple synthesis and low environmental impact. In this study, CDs were synthesized from guava (Psidium guajava) leaves using a hydrothermal method (200 °C, 15 h). The particles had an average size of 6.17 nm and a quantum yield of 2.46%, confirming the successful synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials from the natural precursor. The effects of CDs on rice (Oryza sativa L., variety HT1) were evaluated through both seed treatment and field application. Soaking seeds in a 200 ppm CD solution for 24 h significantly enhanced shoot and root lengths (28.87 mm and 34.00 mm, respectively) among the tested treatments. In field trials, applying CDs at the same concentration also promoted plant growth, as evidenced by improvements in plant height, leaf development, tillering, and flag leaf characteristics. These changes were reflected in yield, with the highest grain yield of 6.13 t ha⁻¹ at 200 ppm, exceeding that of the control treatment. The observed positive effects may be due to enhanced photosynthetic activity and better control of oxidative processes in plants. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced at higher concentrations. This trend suggests a dose-dependent response. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated contamination continue to pose critical challenges in food safety and biomedical applications, necessitating the development of advanced antimicrobial materials with enhanced efficacy, safety, and functional adaptability. Antimicrobial nanomaterials offer versatile solutions due to their tunable physicochemical properties, surface engineering capabilities, and controlled release behaviors, enabling improved antimicrobial and antibiofilm performance across diverse systems. This review highlights the main advancements in AI-assisted design of antimicrobial nanomaterials, demonstrating how data-driven approaches are increasingly used to predict antimicrobial activity, optimize synthesis parameters, model nanotoxicity, integrate multimodal datasets, and improve interpretability through explainable AI frameworks. Key findings indicate that machine learning-guided strategies and autonomous experimental platforms significantly accelerate material optimization while reducing reliance on traditional trial-and-error methods. The review further summarizes the performance and mechanisms of major antimicrobial nanomaterial systems, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, polymeric nanocarriers, nanoemulsions, and hybrid nanostructures, with emphasis on their translational applications in food preservation, antimicrobial coatings, wound healing, implant protection, and drug delivery. Despite these advances, challenges remain in data quality, model generalizability, toxicity prediction, reproducibility, and regulatory translation. AI-enabled and data-driven frameworks provide a powerful pathway for accelerating the rational design and practical implementation of next-generation antimicrobial nanomaterials. Full article

The development of low-cost and highly sensitive electrochemical sensing platforms for pesticide monitoring has attracted significant attention in recent years. In this study, coke-derived carbon (CDC) was successfully synthesized from petroleum coke through high-temperature carbonization under a nitrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, a CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite was fabricated by depositing copper oxide nanoparticles onto the CDC matrix. The morphology, structure, and elemental composition of the synthesized materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping analyses, confirming the successful formation of the composite and the uniform distribution of CuO nanostructures on the carbon surface. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated that the incorporation of CuO significantly enhanced the electrochemical performance of CDC by increasing the electroactive surface area and facilitating electron transfer. The CDC@CuO-NP-modified glassy carbon electrode was applied for the electrochemical detection of dichlorvos (DDVP) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensor exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in charge-transfer resistance and showed a linear response in the concentration range of 247–3770 nM, with the regression equation y = 47.1458C + 111.8162 and a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9832. The developed sensor achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 nM, demonstrating high sensitivity toward DDVP. These results indicate that the CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite is a promising, low-cost, and efficient electrode material for the sensitive determination of organophosphorus pesticides and has considerable potential for environmental monitoring and food safety applications. Full article

The flooded rice rhizosphere is a continuous reactive interface composed of sediment, porewater, root-surface oxic microdomains, and iron plaque, where redox processes and Fe cycling regulate Cd/As speciation, bioavailability, and plant accumulation. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have shown potential for reducing Cd/As uptake in rice, but the coupled roles of microbial community responses, iron-plaque gating, and cross-interface elemental migration remain insufficiently integrated. This review synthesizes the current evidence on ENM transformation and partitioning at flooded rhizosphere microinterfaces, focusing on front-end speciation changes, root-surface retention, microbial functional regulation, and plant sequestration or transport. Correlative evidence suggests that rhizosphere microorganisms are associated with altered redox conditions, Fe cycling, As methylation potential, and metabolite secretion, which may influence Cd/As partitioning and cross-interface migration. However, direct causal validation of the complete ENM transformation–microbial response–Fe cycling–Cd/As flux–grain accumulation sequence within a single integrated system remains lacking. We further discuss how elevated CO₂, micro-/nanoplastics, Fe/DOM dynamics, and water management regimes may modify this framework, and we identify Sb as a theoretical boundary case because direct ENM–rice evidence remains limited. Finally, we highlight the need to integrate spatial tracing and imaging methods, including persistent luminescence tracing, LA-ICP-MS, NanoSIMS, and µ-XRF/µ-XANES, with metaomics to connect particle localization, microbial function, and contaminant fate. Full article

Europium (Eu) is a rare-earth element with unique optoelectronic properties that underpin its applications in displays and lighting, X-ray imaging, anti-counterfeiting, and biomedicine. Conventional methods typically involve the synthesis of europium-based luminescent materials in powder or crystalline form via high-temperature solid-state reactions or solution processes, followed by secondary processing such as spin coating or evaporation to fabricate films or devices. In this work, we report a direct approach to prepare trivalent europium-based luminescent materials using divalent europium bromide (EuBr₂) as the precursor via a gas-phase vacuum evaporation approach (GPVEA). This “deposition-as-synthesis” method enables the fabrication of the hybrid nanoscale films with various blending ratios, which exhibit changes in the fine structure of the emission peaks. The luminescence spectra remain nearly identical across the temperature range from 80 K to 320 K. The photoluminescence emission intensity is stronger in air than in a vacuum. The films show a maximum photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 8.27% and good photostability, with an emission decay of 3.44% over 50 min under continuous 300 nm excitation. Through patterned design, we demonstrate their value for anti-counterfeiting applications. This work thus provides guidance for the preparation of europium-based luminescent nanomaterials via GPVEA and their application in anti-counterfeiting. Full article

The growing field of nanobiotechnology could provide an alternative platform for the development of new therapeutic agents. A potential means for achieving these goals are nanoparticles of rare-earth metals, for example, nanoceria. According to the results of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, not only oxide forms of lanthanides can demonstrate a pharmacological effect. A promising nano-object for biomedical application is cerium phosphate, which exhibits both properties characteristic of cerium dioxide and its own unique properties, due to the diversity of morphology. However, at present, a unified methodological approach has not been formulated that would make it possible to formulate principles for obtaining a compound with specified properties. This review was conducted on using the international databases PubMed, PubChem, Scopus and Google Scholar, and included original studies and reviews. The literature describes the preparation of cerium phosphate nanoparticles by the hydrothermal, chemical precipitation, microwave, and sol–gel methods. It was established that reaction temperature, pH value of the medium, use of organic solvents, ratio of reagents, and precursors have a direct influence on the size, shape, and structure of the obtained nano-object, making it possible to synthesize nanospheres, nanorods, and nanoneedles by regulating these parameters. In addition, the strategy of obtaining nano-objects with specified properties can be implemented by using excipients of predominantly polymer nature. The use of auxiliary substances is capable both of exerting a stabilizing effect and improving adherence to the nanoscale range, and of influencing pharmacological activity. The literature describes the possibility of using cerium phosphate as a redox-active, regenerative, antibacterial, sunscreen, and antitumor agent. However, the insufficient amount of data on the toxicological profile, as well as the results of in vivo studies, remains a significant limitation for the introduction of cerium phosphate into clinical practice. Thus, the purpose of the present review is to identify patterns that make it possible to formulate recommendations for the synthesis of cerium phosphate with specified properties, to assess factors affecting its suitability for use in biomedicine, and to consider its prospects and limitations. Full article

Benefiting from tunable emission from ultraviolet to near-infrared windows, long luminescence lifetimes, and exceptional photostability, rare earth (RE)-doped nanomaterials overcome the limitations of conventional dyes and quantum dots, enabling deep-tissue, high-resolution, and low-background imaging. As multifunctional fluorescent probes, RE-doped nanomaterials are driving the development of next-generation biomedical imaging. This review summarizes recent advances in the structural design of RE-doped nanomaterials, surface engineering for biocompatibility, and targeting strategies for improved performance, and highlights their integration into advanced imaging modalities, including NIR-I/II fluorescence, FLIM, PAI, super-resolution STED, multimodal FL/MRI/CT, X-ray-excited luminescence, and persistent luminescence. Meanwhile, mechanistic insights, material innovations, and comparative advantages are discussed. Furthermore, challenges related to quantum yield, scalable synthesis, imaging resolution, and clinical translation are considered, while future directions—centered on multifunctional probe design, NIR-II imaging, and AI-assisted data analysis—are proposed, offering a versatile platform for precise multimodal imaging with significant potential to advance early diagnosis, personalized therapy, and clinical applications. Full article

The synthesis and application of new nanomaterials has been one of the most active fields of science since interest in these materials started growing about 30 years ago, when researchers discovered that these new materials with nanoscale dimensions or features could impart entirely unique or improved properties [...] Full article

Quantum dots such as CdS QDs have been extensively studied using human cells, plants, and unicellular eukaryotes such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas ZnS QDs—considered low-toxicity alternatives to cadmium-based nanomaterials—remain comparatively underexplored. Following preliminary analyses of ZnS QDs’ effects on wild-type S. cerevisiae BY4742 growth, the Yeast Knock-Out collection, comprising ~4600 haploid mutants deleted in non-essential genes, was screened in the presence of ZnS QDs. Sensitive mutants were predominantly associated with mitochondrial functions, prompting further characterization of sod1Δ, glr1Δ, and of the hypersensitive mutant pos5Δ. This last mutant, which lacks a mitochondrial NADH kinase, showed hypersensitivity specific to ZnS QDs but not to CdS QDs or zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄). Flow cytometry analysis of the wild-type strain and the pos5Δ mutant detected no significant increase in reactive oxygen species after ZnS QD treatment. RNA-sequencing analyses of the wild-type strain and the pos5Δ mutant exposed to ZnS QDs (or ZnSO₄) revealed that ZnS QD exposure selectively modulated genes encoding mitochondrial proteins, metal-binding factors, and intracellular trafficking components. Comparison with published data on CdS QDs identified specific mechanisms involving protein synthesis and degradation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae once again proved its versatility for studying engineered nanomaterial interactions with biological systems. Full article

As a significant branch of nanotechnology, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) have garnered extensive attention for their broad application potential in agriculture, attributed to their unique structural and physicochemical properties. They are considered one of the important tools for promoting sustainable agricultural development. Among them, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), owing to their excellent mechanical properties, electrical characteristics, and high specific surface area, have recently attracted considerable interest in plant growth regulation and the development of agricultural inputs. This article systematically reviews the research progress of CNMs, especially CNTs, in agriculture. Firstly, it outlines the structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of different types of CNMs. Subsequently, from a plant physiological perspective, it focuses on analyzing their mechanisms of action in nutrient uptake, photosynthesis regulation, and antioxidant defense. Based on this, it summarizes the application progress of CNMs in plant growth promotion, nano-pesticide and fertilizer delivery, and precision agriculture sensing. Furthermore, this article emphasizes the dose-dependent biphasic effect (hormesis) of CNMs on plants: at relatively low, system-specific doses, they can promote growth and enhance stress resistance, whereas at higher or supra-optimal doses, they may induce oxidative stress, cellular damage, and photosynthesis inhibition. However, significant variations in responses exist depending on the material type, physicochemical properties, and plant species, and a unified understanding of the underlying mechanisms has not yet been established. Finally, this article discusses green synthesis strategies for CNMs and their potential ecological risks and points out that future research should focus on key issues such as precise dose regulation, long-term environmental behavior, and multi-scale mechanism analysis. This review aims to provide a systematic reference for understanding CNM–plant interactions and their safe application in agriculture. Full article