Search Results (11,492)

Thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) have become a notable research field for the development of high-performance thermal protection coatings. The mechanical properties are essential for T/EBCs, which determine the functionality, reliability and durability of coatings. The Yb₄Hf₃O₁₂ TEBCs were prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying using nanostructured spherical feedstocks and the nanomechanical properties of the Yb₄Hf₃O₁₂ coatings were characterized by nano-indentation in this work. Results indicate the elastic indentation work (W_e) is 16.06 ± 1.45 nJ and the plastic indentation work is 28.62 ± 6.87 nJ for nanostructured Yb₄Hf₃O₁₂ coatings. The ratio of plastic work to total deformation work during indentation as the energy dissipation parameter (η) is 0.63 ± 0.05 for nanostructured Yb₄Hf₃O₁₂ coatings and it can be preliminarily inferred that the Yb₄Hf₃O₁₂ coating may possess favorable erosion resistance, although direct erosion testing is needed for confirmation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Curcumin shows broad anticancer activity but limited clinical success as a standalone agent because of poor bioavailability and inconsistent tumor exposure. This review introduces the concept of curcumin as a molecular synergy amplifier and proposes that successful combinations depend on three interdependent determinants: mechanistic complementarity, suppression of adaptive resistance networks, and pharmacokinetic synchronization. Methods: Evidence on combinations with chemotherapeutics, natural bioactives, and nanotechnology-enabled delivery systems was critically evaluated, with emphasis on mechanism, resistance reversal, drug ratio, administration sequence, and tumor exposure. Results: Curcumin enhances therapeutic efficacy by sensitizing cancer cells, suppressing adaptive resistance pathways, targeting cancer stemness, and promoting multiple forms of programmed cell death. Importantly, analysis of current evidence indicates that therapeutic success depends not only on molecular synergy but also on pharmacokinetic synchronization between curcumin and partner agents. Many combinations demonstrating strong in vitro synergy fail to translate in vivo because optimal drug ratios, timing, and tumor exposure cannot be maintained. Nanotechnology-based co-delivery systems partially overcome these limitations through synchronized delivery and controlled release. Conclusions: Curcumin should be viewed as a molecular synergy amplifier whose clinical utility depends on mechanistic complementarity and pharmacokinetic synchronization with co-administered therapies. This framework provides a rationale for the design of next-generation curcumin-based combination therapies and identifies key priorities for clinical translation. Full article

This work reports the development of innovative enzyme–titanium nanobiohybrids synthesized via a protein-assisted approach to obtain efficient and sustainable photocatalysts for environmental remediation. By addressing the limitations of conventional TiO₂ nanoparticle synthesis, this strategy enables controlled material properties under milder, potentially scalable conditions for enhanced ROS-driven degradation of persistent dye pollutants. This work employs a bio-assisted synthesis approach using β-glucosidase as a protein scaffold, TiCl₄ as the titanium precursor, and H₂O₂ in bicarbonate buffer at room temperature, eliminating the need for harsh conditions and high temperatures. The biological moiety guides the nanoparticle formation, controlling size and morphology while preventing aggregation, all performed under mild conditions. X-ray diffraction determined that the Ti hybrid was composed of TiO₂ brookite species. TEM analyses demonstrated the formation of well-dispersed nanostructures of around 700 nm. The resulting nanobiohybrids showed excellent photocatalytic activity, achieving >99% Rhodamine B degradation under UV light in only 1 h compared to visible light. The catalyst was capable of degrading Rhodamine B at a concentration approximately 36 times above the recommended threshold for water. Furthermore, a preactivation of the catalyst by direct exposition of it to UV-395 nm light greatly enhanced the efficiency in the photocatalytic process, being inactive in visible light. The Ti–enzyme hybrid showed excellent recyclability over five consecutive cycles and retained good activity after storage, demonstrating its stability. This study introduces a sustainable and efficient route for synthesizing Ti-based nanobiohybrids, providing a promising strategy for advanced photocatalytic applications in water treatment and environmental remediation. Full article

This review shows that lignocellulosic biomass is not merely an abundant feedstock for nanocellulose production but a strategic platform for building the next generation of sustainable, high-performance materials, integrating feedstock diversity, processing logic, characterization, market direction, and translational applications into a single narrative. Comparing woody and non-woody biomass through the lens of processability, recalcitrance, and value creation while showing why agricultural residues are increasingly central to low-cost, circular nanocellulose production beyond the usual acid-hydrolysis-centered discussion by emphasizing enzymatic hydrolysis as a lower-energy, lower-toxicity alternative while still acknowledging the persistent industrial advantages and environmental costs of chemical and mechanical routes. A further strength of this review is its effort to bridge structure and function: it links extraction strategy to morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface chemistry, then connects these properties to real applications in packaging, drug delivery, electronics, filtration, energy storage, and biomedical systems. Its distinctive contribution lies in showing that the future of nanocellulose depends not only on how it is extracted but also on how intelligently the biomass source, processing route, material performance, and market need are aligned. Full article

Wastewater contamination with synthetic organic dyes is a significant environmental challenge. Zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted considerable attention as a non-toxic, multifunctional material for electronics, optics, piezoelectric devices, and photocatalysis, where its performance is strongly governed by morphology. In this work, we investigate the effect of hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) on the formation and photocatalytic behavior of ZnO nanostructures synthesized from different zinc precursors, namely zinc acetate and zinc nitrate, via a one-step sol–gel process at low temperature without any post-treatment. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite phase without detectable impurities, and the incorporation of HMTA leads to smaller, more uniform rod- and flake-like nanostructures. Although ZnO derived from zinc acetate without HMTA exhibits the highest specific surface area, ZnO synthesized in the presence of HMTA shows more favorable crystallinity, morphology, and pore connectivity, which together enhance charge separation and reactive oxygen species generation. As a result, ZnO samples synthesized with HMTA exhibit improved photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under UV irradiation. Full article

Urine pH is an important biomarker related to metabolic status and urinary system health, but reliable SERS quantification in real urine remains limited by matrix interference, heterogeneous hotspot distribution, and the narrow response range of single pH-responsive molecules. Here, we report a core–gap–shell Au@1,4-BDT@Au@4-MBA/MPY nanoprobe for ratiometric SERS detection of urine pH. 1,4-BDT was confined within the gap between the gold core and shell as an internal standard, while 4-MBA and 4-MPY were co-assembled on the outer gold shell to provide complementary protonation/deprotonation responses. The internal standard-corrected ratio I₁₀₀₄/I₁₄₀₀/I₇₃₁ reduced signal fluctuation and enabled segmented linear fitting over pH = 1.0–7.0 and pH = 7.0–10.0, with coefficients of determination of 0.98806 and 0.99989, respectively. The sensing platform also maintained stable ratiometric responses under different interference conditions. In real urine samples from five volunteers, SERS-predicted pH values agreed well with commercial pH meter measurements, with relative accuracies of 98.71–101.9% and RSD values below 2.1%. This confined internal standard and dual-molecule ratiometric strategy provides a feasible approach for urine pH sensing in complex biofluid matrices. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), is revolutionizing optical metamaterial design by overcoming the fundamental challenges of multidimensional parameter spaces, nonlinear structure–property relationships, and the intrinsic non-uniqueness of inverse problems. By learning complex mappings between geometric structures and electromagnetic responses, DL enables rapid forward prediction and on-demand inverse design without computationally intensive full-wave simulations. This review provides a comprehensive survey of AI-driven design methodologies across four key metamaterial platforms: localized resonant nanostructures, metasurfaces, periodic and guided-wave photonic structures, and complex scattering systems. For each platform, we systematically examine the neural network architectures employed, the specific design challenges addressed, and the representative achievements attained. These data-driven approaches not only significantly accelerate the discovery of high-performance structures but also offer new opportunities for extracting physical insights into light–matter interactions. We assess the critical challenges of data efficiency, model interpretability, and experimental feasibility, and outline emerging research directions that may address these barriers. This review aims to provide both a comprehensive summary of the current state of the art and forward-looking perspectives for this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. Full article

The high-voltage spinel ${\mathrm{LiNi}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{1.5}{\mathrm{O}}_4$ (LNMO) is a promising cobalt-free cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, yet its integration as a binder-free thin film on metallic current collectors via simple solution routes remains underexplored. Here, LNMO films were synthesized on 304 stainless steel (SS304) by metal–organic decomposition (MOD) from metal–acetate precursors in ethanol, followed by spin-coating and annealing at 500, 600, and 700 °C under flowing ${\mathrm{O}}_2$. The films were characterized by XRD, FESEM–FIB cross-sectioning, EDS, and XPS, and tested as binder-free cathodes by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge. All samples are dense, approximately 1.9 μm thick, and crystallize in the disordered spinel phase. The LNMO crystallite size increases from 21.9 to 43.8 nm between 500 and 700 °C, while the grain size also shows a temperature dependence, increasing the average size from 25 up to 56 nm in diameter. XPS confirms ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ as the dominant manganese surface species (45–49%) across all samples. The films deliver reversible discharge capacities of 92, 92, and 70 mAh ${\mathrm{g}}^{-1}$ at 0.1 C for LNMO500, LNMO600, and LNMO700, respectively, with well-defined ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{2+}{\mathrm{/Ni}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{3+}{\mathrm{/Ni}}^{4+}$ redox peaks at 4.7 and 4.8 V. DFT calculations independently predict a voltage plateau at ∼4.7 V for $0.2\le x\le 1$, in agreement with the experimental profiles. These findings establish MOD as a viable, vacuum-free route to the synthesis of nanostructured LNMO cathodes. Full article

Phenolic resin is widely used as a binder in high-temperature industries; however, its pyrolysis generally yields isotropic glassy carbon, which strongly influences its high-temperature oxidation behavior. In this work, cupric tartrate was introduced as a catalyst precursor to investigate its effects on the thermal decomposition behavior, microstructural evolution, and oxidation behavior of the phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon. Upon heating, cupric tartrate decomposed at 250–320 °C into nanoscale Cu/Cu₂O composites, which were then converted into metallic Cu nanoparticles through reduction by gaseous products generated during the pyrolysis of phenolic resin. The in situ formed Cu nanoparticles were associated with the growth of tapered carbon nanofibers (CNFs), reaching maximum lengths of 30–50 μm at 700 °C. Based on the observed microstructural features and established literature reports, a dissolution–precipitation pathway is proposed to rationalize the formation of these CNFs. The presence of Cu-catalyzed CNFs correlates with enhanced structural ordering of the pyrolytic carbon, as reflected by reduced I_D/I_G ratios, and with an increased apparent oxidation activation energy in the selected fitting region (from 103.73 to 137.45 kJ/mol). Overall, this work demonstrates a facile strategy in which cupric tartrate serves as an effective catalyst precursor that generates Cu nanoparticles in situ; these nanoparticles then catalyze CNF growth from phenolic resin, enabling the construction of low-dimensional carbon nanostructures. Full article

The formation of carbon nanostructures and silicon carbide (SiC) using a single-source precursor offers a simplified route for material synthesis; however, the factors governing the transition between CNT-like structure formation and SiC growth remain unclear. In this study, the growth behavior of carbon-related structures using vinylsilane was systematically investigated by hot-wall chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on various substrates, including Fe bulk substrates and Fe thin films on SiO₂/Si. CNT-like structures were preferentially formed on Fe bulk substrates, whereas Fe thin-film substrates exhibited CNT-like growth at the initial stage followed by increased Si–C-related phase formation with increasing growth temperature and growth time. In contrast, on Fe thin films with limited catalyst amounts, CNT-like growth occurred initially, followed by increased Si–C-related phase formation with increasing growth temperature and growth time. These observations are consistent with a growth transition associated with the balance between Si uptake into the metal and surface SiC formation processes. By controlling catalyst amount, growth temperature, and growth time, the relative formation of CNT-like structures, SiC-rich coatings, and intermediate morphologies could be tuned within a single process. Furthermore, a SiC/CNT-like composite structure was directly formed on a conductive Fe substrate in a one-step CVD process. Electrochemical measurements showed an enhanced current response compared with a bare Fe substrate, indicating preliminary electrochemical activity and suggesting potential applicability as a high-surface-area electrode platform. Full article

The persistent discharge of cationic dyes into aquatic systems necessitates advanced adsorbents with precisely tunable interfacial properties and high removal efficiency. Herein, we report for the first time the synthesis of composition-controlled sulfonated polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on polystyrene (PSt) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) via a surfactant-free precipitation polymerization approach. Our findings showed that the NPs exhibited well-defined composition-dependent evolution in physicochemical properties, with hydrodynamic size decreasing from 1224 to 327 nm and surface charge rising from −36.1 to −51.0 mV with increasing PAMPS content. Furthermore, adsorption performance toward methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) demonstrated strong dependence on surface charge density, with removal efficiencies of 97–98% at low initial dye concentrations (10–20 mg L⁻¹) and still above 82–87% at a higher initial concentration (100 mg L⁻¹). At low initial dye concentrations (10–20 mg L⁻¹), the most highly sulfonated nanoparticles (NP-PSt/AMPS-50) reach equilibrium capacities of approximately 9.25–971 mg g⁻¹, while at 100 mg L⁻¹, the capacities increase to about 82–86 mg g⁻¹ for both MB and CV. Notably, the adsorption capacity (q_e) increases systematically with the sulfonation degree, reflecting enhanced ion-exchange capacity and accessibility of surface-exposed –SO₃⁻ functionalities. Rapid uptake behavior is observed, with >60–70% removal achieved within 15 min and equilibrium established within 100–120 min. Importantly, the enhanced adsorption performance of NPs can be attributed to their self-organized core–shell-like architecture. Considering this structure, hydrophobic PSt-rich domains form the particle interior, while PAMPS segments are localized at particle–water interface, creating a sulfonate-enriched surface layer. This enhances active-site accessibility and electrostatic interactions with cationic dyes. The composition-dependent evolution of sulfonate functional groups, as evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy, along with the systematic decrease in hydrodynamic size and increase in zeta potential magnitude with increasing AMPS content, collectively indicate the surface localization of charged PAMPS segments. Overall, our findings provide a mechanistic framework for the rational design of charge-regulated polymeric nano adsorbents and highlight the potential of PSt/PAMPS NPs as scalable and sustainable materials for cationic dye removal in wastewater treatment systems. Full article

In this work, the structural, optical, vibrational, and stability properties of a series of Al_xAs_x nanostructures are systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Starting from the fundamental cubic-like Al₄As₄ building block, progressively larger nanostructures were constructed through directional elongation and structural rearrangements, allowing for the exploration of one-dimensional chains, two-dimensional planar structures, and several exotic geometries. The calculated UV–visible absorption spectra reveal that structural dimensionality and topology strongly influence the electronic transitions of the nanostructures, with elongated and distorted configurations exhibiting broader absorption features and richer spectral distribution. Vibrational analysis shows that increasing structural complexity and reducing symmetry lead to a higher density of IR-active modes and more complex infrared spectra. The stability of the nanostructures is evaluated through binding energy calculations, which indicate a clear size-dependent stabilization trend, with the Al₂₄As₂₄-L1 configuration exhibiting the highest stability among the examined systems. In addition, the calculated HOMO-LUMO gaps reveal the semiconducting character of the clusters and demonstrate their sensitivity to geometric topology. The present results establish clear structure–property relationships between dimensional growth and the optical response of AlAs nanoparticles and provide theoretical reference data for future experimental investigations of III-V semiconductor nanostructures. Full article

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) remain promising low-cost photovoltaic technologies because of their simple fabrication, tunable optical properties, and effective operation under low-light conditions. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is the most widely used photoanode material in DSSCs owing to its chemical stability, suitable band alignment, low toxicity, and excellent transparency. However, the photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of TiO₂-based DSSCs are still limited by charge recombination, slow electron transport, interfacial losses, and structural degradation. This review summarizes recent advances in defect engineering, morphology engineering, and interface engineering of TiO₂ photoanodes for high-performance DSSCs. Attention is given to the role of oxygen vacancies, Ti³⁺ states, metal/non-metal doping, and heterostructure formation in tailoring the electronic structure and charge transport behavior of TiO₂. The influence of various TiO₂ nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, nanosheets, and hierarchical architectures, on dye adsorption, light scattering, electron mobility, and recombination dynamics is critically discussed. Furthermore, recent progress in interface engineering strategies such as passivation layers, blocking layers, MXene incorporation, composite photoanodes, and atomic layer deposition are examined in relation to interfacial charge transfer and device stability. Current challenges involving defect-induced recombination, morphology-related transport trade-offs, and long-term degradation are also analyzed. Finally, future perspectives on hierarchical nanoarchitectures, multifunctional interfaces, flexible DSSCs, and hybrid TiO₂ systems are presented. This review provides an integrated understanding of how defect, morphology, and interface engineering collectively govern the performance of TiO₂ photoanodes and offers design guidelines for next-generation high-efficiency and stable DSSCs. Full article

Corrosion-protective coatings have progressed from passive barrier systems and chromate-based technologies toward multifunctional materials that integrate barrier durability, interfacial adhesion, active inhibition, electrochemical response, and self-healing capabilities. However, the intellectual framework connecting these technological developments remains fragmented, as most reviews focus on specific material families rather than on the broader evolution of the field. This study examines technological paradigms in corrosion-protective coatings through a citation network analysis of highly cited publications retrieved from Web of Science and processed with CitNetExplorer. The most influential publications were thematically reviewed to identify dominant materials, coating architectures, protection mechanisms, seminal contributions, and bridge articles. Four principal paradigms were identified: smart and self-healing coatings based on nanocontainers, layered double hydroxides, mesoporous silica, halloysite, zeolites, hydroxyapatite reservoirs, and microcapsules; chromate-free sol–gel and silane pretreatments based on organic–inorganic hybrid matrices, organosilanes, rare-earth inhibitors, and oxide nanoparticles; graphene and graphene oxide-based nanocomposite coatings in which two-dimensional fillers enhance tortuosity, reduce water uptake, and reinforce polymer matrices and coating–substrate interfaces; and electroactive coatings based mainly on polyaniline and polypyrrole, where protection is associated with passivation, redox mediation, and dopant-controlled inhibition. The findings indicate that corrosion-protective coatings have evolved through partially overlapping and increasingly integrated paradigms rather than through a single technological trajectory. This citation network analysis clarifies the transition from chromate replacement toward active, nanostructured, electroactive, and self-healing corrosion-protective systems. Full article

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a key reactive oxygen species involved in both cellular signaling and oxidative stress, making its reliable detection essential in biological and environmental systems. Electrochemical sensing has emerged as a promising approach for H₂O₂ monitoring due to its high sensitivity, rapid response, and suitability for in situ analysis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanostructured metal oxide electrodes for non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of H₂O₂. The effects of material composition, nanostructure morphology, and synthesis strategies (particularly hydrothermal methods) on sensor performance are critically discussed. Special attention is given to our previously reported studies, enabling a consistent comparison of structure–property relationships under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, the application of these sensors in plant stress analysis is examined, including both the monitoring of oxidative stress and the evaluation of stress mitigation strategies using metal oxide nanoparticles. The role of nanoparticles as reactive oxygen species scavengers and enhancers of plant antioxidant systems is highlighted, demonstrating their ability to reduce H₂O₂ levels and improve plant physiological status under adverse environmental conditions. Overall, this work emphasizes the dual functionality of nanostructured materials as both sensing platforms and active agents for stress mitigation, highlighting their potential in agricultural and environmental applications. Full article