Volume 238, Issue 6

Nanoparticles below 100 nm have sparked immense interest for their unique physical and chemical properties, separate from bulk materials. These particles have versatile applications in electronics, magnetism, optoelectronics, and electricity. This article overviews ongoing research on nanoparticle-based electronic devices and explores anticipated advancements. In electronics, nanoparticles are essential components for enhanced performance and functionality, promising breakthroughs in computing, telecommunications, and sensing. This work explores the groundbreaking potential of metal-based nanoparticles, such as ZnO NPs, Cu NPs, Al NPs, and Fe NPs, in various electronic device applications. It investigates different synthetic methods, including bottom–up, sol–gel, co-precipitation, hydrothermal, CVD, and green/biological method to enhance the effectiveness of these nanoparticles. The study briefly examines the efficiency of these nanoparticles for electronic device applications, and it extends their potential applications to areas such as data storage, sensors, protective coatings, energy storage, chemical industries, water treatment, fertilizers, and defense. Challenges include precise control of nanoparticle shape and arrangement, which researchers address to design new materials with controlled properties. The present work discusses the anticipated and emerging applications of nanoparticles, emphasizing their unique physical and chemical properties compared to bulk materials. Ongoing research explores their full potential, while manipulation techniques open doors to novel materials. The progress made underscores the immense possibilities of nanoparticle-based electronics.

In the recent years, the using of fossil energy source-based fuels are delivering to the predetermined nature, health and environmental exposure, there is a universal necessitate prepared to well improvement and consumption of renewable energy source and apparatus. With the rapid growth of human life, energy is more essential. The explosive growth of population and energy consumption demands are the exclusive issue of the present world. In response to the energy demands, the growth of highly efficient energy conversion and storage devices. With increasing energy demands and environmental pollution, there is a requirement of the world to great some novel conducting materials consist of Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) which is delivered that excellent photoconversion efficiencies (PCE) compare with the other silicon supported photovoltaics, and also semiconducting materials for the conversion of substitute energy sources and preparation of high high-performance semiconductor devices. Semiconducting thin films play an indispensable role in fashionable science and electronic technology. Among them, the II–VI compound semiconductor thin films are an important class of materials, and they are generally comprehensive wide-band gap materials. In addition, the un-doped and rare-earth metal ions doped zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films are currently the most demanding and technologically important materials, which have the potential for optoelectronic devices (solar cells, photoelectrochemical cell and light emitting diodes) and are active throughout the entire visible spectrum extending into the infrared wavelengths. Various techniques for depositing thin coatings on these substances are utilized to a greater extent. In this review, the most recent advanced techniques in the application of semiconducting materials-based thin films were produced in various energy-generated fields, particularly solar cells, with a major focus on a review of recent progress in the development of various types of ZnSe thin film-based material for high-performance semiconducting thin film material for solar cell application. Lastly, the advantages and material challenges of semiconductor-based thin films for future sanitary energy device process are described.

The rational construction and design of nanostructured materials have a significant impact on the fabrication of high-performance electrode materials, which have attracted considerable interest in an effort to enhance the reliability and efficiency of energy storage devices. In this study, the α-ZnMoO 4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by facile hydrothermal method and the influence of various hydrothermal reaction times on structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties were studied. XRD analysis illustrated that α-ZnMoO 4 nanoparticles exhibited anorthic crystal structure and the average crystallite size was 42 nm. FESEM images changed from a cubic structure to plate-like structures depending on reaction times. HRTEM analysis revealed that prepared sample showed a plate-like structure and the SAED pattern exhibited a polycrystalline nature. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of vibrational molecules in α-ZnMoO 4 nanoparticles. The BET and XPS measurements showed the α-ZnMoO 4 nanoparticles were mesoporous and had Zn 2+ and Mo 6+ oxidation states, respectively. From UV–Visible spectra, a better spectral selectivity region was observed at higher reaction times, and the bandgap values were decreased from 2.73 to 2.48 eV. In photocatalytic studies, RhB dye was used as an organic pollutant and achieved a degradation efficiency of 85 % at an optimized reaction time of 24 h. For electrochemical performances, the prepared electrode material showed maximum specific capacitance values of 165 F g −1 and 110 F g −1 for cyclic voltammetry and galvanoststic charge-discharge analysis, respectively.

Ceftazidime pentahydrate (CP) and cefotaxime sodium (CS) are semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotics and are used to treat a variety of diseases worldwide. In order to explore the efficiency of a medicinal compound, it is important to have a deep understanding of its solution and physiochemical behaviour along with its interaction with biological molecules. In this regard, the solution of two drugs i.e., ceftazidime pentahydrate (CP) and cefotaxime sodium (CS) were investigated in detail. The physicochemical properties of drugs solutions and their interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were studied in water under varying experimental parameters. In the present study the physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension, and conductance of aqueous solution, having various molar concentrations, of CP and CS were traced out at different temperatures. Five various concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.3 mol dm −3 ) of each drug in an aqueous medium were prepared separately, and the physicochemical properties of each solution, were studied individually at temperatures such as 293, 303, 313, 323, and 333 K respectively. Most of these parameters have shown different behaviour with varying concentration of solution and temperature of the medium. In addition, these drugs showed a spontaneous surface-active and association behaviour in aqueous solutions and drug DNA solution. The flow behaviour, surface properties, volumetric behaviour and solute–solvent interaction of this drug were prominently influenced by experimental variables. UV-Visible spectroscopy was also used to study the interaction of these drugs with DNA in aqueous media in detail. Calculated values of binding constants ( K b ) for all drug–DNA are positive, indicating constructive binding and interactions between the molecules. In addition the binding efficiency of ceftazidime pentahydrate was found more than that of cefotaxime sodium. The interaction of drug–DNA was not only affected by the nature of the drug but also by the drug-to-DNA ratio and nature of the medium used.

Recently, the treatment of bacterial infection has been very worrisome as a decline in antibiotic sensitivity is hitting a majority of the world population. Among many bacterial infection’s causing agents, Enterococcus species and Mycoplasma pneumonia are highly threatening because of their resistance to powerful antibiotics such as vancomycin, erythromycin, and azithromycin. Herein, effect of polar (DMSO, EtOH, MeOH, H 2 O) solvation on the quantum chemical parameters, molecular structure, spectroscopy, and the antimicrobial potential of  p -phenylenediamine-thiosemicarbazide-formaldehyde (PTSF) terpolymer is presented within the framework of density functional theory (DFT), solvation molecular dynamics, and molecular docking approach. Herein, ethanol was keenly observed with the most insightful properties across all analyses specifically by its high energy gap (4.6344 eV) which accounted for the stability of compound. The molecular docking revealed the binding affinities for PSTF with respect to the best docking modes are −4.6 kcal/mol with LYS 288 and bond distance of 2.82 Å for 5V2M and −5.1 kcal/mol with ASN 770 at 2.27 Å, GLU 767 at 2.61 Å, ARG 777 at 3.69 Å, GLU 775 at 2.57 Å, and ALA 763 at 2.86 Å for 6rj1. From the result obtained, the studied compound has higher binding affinity at the active site of 6RJ1 than that of 5V2M. This suggests that PSTF has greater efficacy for inhibiting the growth of  M. pneumoniae than vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis . Hence, further in vitro and in vivo studies should delve into the more exploration of the reported ligand.

MnO 2 NPs were synthesized from Delonix elata leaves extract act as a capping and reducing agent by green synthesis process. The synthesized MnO 2 NPs were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as IR, UV-Vis, SEM and XRD analyses. The UV spectrum of synthesized MnO 2 NPs revealed optical properties at 340 nm. The XRD pattern of MnO 2 NPs exhibited the crystallite size to be in the range of 20 nm and shows the amorphous structure. The morphological geographies of MnO 2 NPs are spherical and faintly agglomerated. The FT-IR spectrum of MnO 2 NPs spectacles stretching vibration of Mn–O at 510 cm −1 confirmed the formation of MnO 2 NPs. MnO 2 is superior photo degradation for methylene blue which is extant in the textile industries and it has an unlimited potential application in wastewater treatment.

Perlite is an example of clayey type geologic mineral. Perlite is a cheap and abundant adsorbent and it can be used for versatile applications in food, pharmacy and chemistry industries. Perlite was chosen for the removal of penta chloro nitrobenzene (PCNB) pesticide. This pesticide is used for the control of fungi species in farming commonly. Adsorbent surface area and pore volumes were determined as 288.15 m 2 /g and 78.24 cm 3 /g (BET method). The characteristics of the adsorbent were furnished by evaluating the SEM and FTIR images. The adsorption equilibrium was reached in 80 min. Initial adsorbate concentration and pH of the medium were also investigated from this point of view. The experimental data were evaluated with proper isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich and Halsey. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms give the best results. Monolayer capacity was found as 238.095 mg/g. The kinetic mechanisms of the phenomon was analyzed by employing the pseudo first and second order models. Pseudo first order kinetic results were better than the second one with the higher regression coefficients and close experimental and calculated uptake values. Those values were found as 0.615 and 0.6587 mg/g for 1 μg/mL aqueous pesticide solution. Activation energy was found approximately 5094 J/mol which was shown a physisorption mechanism of the adsorption. Activation energy is also employed for interpreting the sticking probability factor. The thermodynamic of adsorption were also evaluated and found as −2.385 J/g at the room temperature. The negative Gibbs energy shows the feasibility and spontaneous nature of PCNB removal on perlite.

Gas sensors exhibit significant potential due to their widespread use in various applications, such as food packaging, indoor air quality assessment, and real-time monitoring of man-made gas emissions to mitigate global warming. The utilization of nanostructured materials for sensor and adsorbent surfaces has seen remarkable growth over time, though substantial efforts are still needed to develop more efficient adsorbents. Consequently, this study investigates the viability of metal-doped quantum dots (QDs) as prospective gas-sensing and adsorption materials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the 6-311 + G(d,p) basis set and three functionals (B3LYP, B3LYP-GD3(BJ), and ɷB97XD) were utilized for this investigation. Three environmentally and health-significant gases (C 6 H 6 , CO 2 , and H 2 S) were chosen as adsorbates on arsenic (As) and cobalt (Co) functionalized QDs to assess the performance and sensing capabilities of resulting QD surfaces. The analysis encompassed computation of adsorption energy, thermodynamic properties, non-covalent interactions, natural bond orbital analysis, and other topological aspects for both the surfaces and gases. The outcomes indicate that the GP_As functionalized surface exhibits a lower energy gap, rendering it more reactive and sensitive toward the respective gases (C 6 H 6 , CO 2 , and H 2 S). Moreover, the calculated adsorption energies of the investigated systems indicate thermodynamic favorability and spontaneity. Notably, our findings suggest that QD_As surfaces possess superior adsorption potential for H 2 S compared to the other gases examined; nonetheless, all studied QD surfaces demonstrate significant adsorption capacities for C 6 H 6 , CO 2 , and H 2 S gases.