Nanocellulose shows potential as an effective natural adsorbent for removing harmful contaminants from wastewater. This paper describes the development of innovative nanocellulose thin films made of ...cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and active carbon (AC) as adsorbent materials for absorbing azo dyes from wastewater. The CNCs were recovered from sugarcane bagasse using alkali treatment and acid hydrolysis. The composition and processing parameters of the thin films were optimized, and their adsorption capacity was determined using thermodynamic isotherms and adsorption kinetics. Adsorption characteristics such as the methylene blue (MB) dye concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH were investigated to determine how they affected adsorption. The results show that the adsorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. At an adsorbent mass of 50 mg, dye concentration of 50 ppm in 50 mL, and contact period of 120 min at 25 °C, the thin film comprising 64 wt% CNC, 16 wt% PAA, and 20 wt% AC showed high dye removal efficiency (86.3%) and adsorption capacity (43.15 mg/g). The MB removal efficiency increased to 95.56% and the adsorption capacity to 47.78 mg/g when the medium's pH was gradually increased from neutral to alkaline. The nontoxicity, low production cost, water stability, easy recovery, and high adsorption capacity of these membranes make them suitable for water treatment systems.
The comparative utilization of solar thermal or photovoltaic systems has significantly increased to fulfill the requirement of electricity and heat since few decades. These hybrid systems produce ...both thermal and electrical energy simultaneously. In recent times, increasing interest is being redirected by researchers in exploiting variety of nanoparticles mixed with miscellaneous base fluids (hybrid nanofluid) for these hybrid systems. This new class of colloidal suspensions has many fascinating advantages as compared to conventional types of nanofluids because of their modified and superior rheological and thermophysical properties which makes them appealing for solar energy devices. Here, we have attempted to deliver an extensive overview of the synthetic methodologies of hybrid nanofluids and their potential in PV/T and solar thermal energy systems. A detailed comparison between conventional types of nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids has been carried out to present in-depth understanding of the advantages of the hybrid nanofluids. The documented reports reveal that enhanced thermal properties of hybrid nanofluids promise the increased performance of solar thermal PV/T systems. Additionally, the unique properties such as nanoparticles concentration and type of base fluid, etc. greatly influence the behavior of hybrid nanofluidic systems. Finally, the outlook, suggestions, and challenges for future research directions are discussed.
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•Enhancing the properties of PCL using HAP, Ag3VO4, and Turmeric for wound healing.•The contact angle of PCL decreased from 54.56°±2.1 to 35.18°±1.6 after adding NPs.•The cell ...viability of HFB4 for the final film is 109 % ± 3 %.•The modified PCL showed thermal stability with a weight loss of 88.5 % at 460 °C.•The cell attachment test showed high attachment on the surface of the nanofilm.
In recent times, wound healing has emerged as a multifaceted biological process, necessitating the development of innovative strategies for designing wound dressing materials with improved properties. These materials should exhibit high antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. The aim is to create wound dressings that possess ideal properties, addressing the diverse requirements of effective wound management. This study involves the fabrication of a special biodegradable scaffold made of polycaprolactone (PCL) using a straightforward and environmentally friendly process called polymer casting. The scaffold is then enhanced with hydroxyapatite (HAP) and Ag3VO4 NPs and turmeric (Tur). As illustrated in cell viability, The fabricated HAP/Ag3VO4/Tur@PCL scaffold reached a significantly high value of viable cells (109 % ± 3 %) using human fibroblast cell line, which is reflecting its great biocompatibility. Furthermore, its (TGA) analysis shows high thermal stability with a weight loss (88.5 %) at 460 ◦C, The UV–vis spectra of the HAP/Ag3VO4/Tur@PCL demonstrated that the scaffold has an extended absorption range reached (427 nm) with a narrow band gap compared to the other samples. Thus, this innovative method of modifying composites based on PCL takes into account intelligent biomedical scaffolds wound healing procedures, featuring uncomplicated designs and improved capabilities.
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•ZnO and Ni-doped ZnO nanocatalysts have been synthesized by wet chemical method.•UV–Visible absorption spectra witness bathochromic shift due to quantum confinement effect.•XRD ...results reveal that nanocatalysts exist in hexagonal crystalline state.•Degradation results shows that the MB is degraded more effectively by Ni-doped ZnO.•Ni doping results in large band gap decreased recombination process.
The nickel modified zinc oxide (ZnO) photocatalysts with nominal composition of Zn1-xNixO (x = 0.0–0.5) were synthesized by wet chemical approach. Optical studies were performed using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), electronic spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) complimented with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) was used to study the morphology and chemical composition of prepared photocatalysts. A significant hypsochromic shift has been observed with respect to un-doped ZnO nanocatalyst due to quantum confinement effect. Subsequently, the band gap has been tuned to the region of lower wavelength. X-ray results reveal that ZnO nanocatalyst are in hexagonal crystalline form. In addition, the effect of nickel impurity on photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanocatalysts in degradation of methylene blue (MB) was also investigated. Degradation results showed that the MB was degraded more effectively by Ni-doped ZnO photocatalysts due to large band gap under visible light irradiation.
Investigations are being conducted on chitosan-based polymeric films that have been encapsulated with lanthanum, samarium, and graphene oxide. The primary distinguishing signals of chitosan (CS) and ...other components were seen in the FTIR spectra. Additionally, the interaction of the CS with the oxy-components clearly increased the crystallinity, as shown by the XRD pattern. The optical data shows that both Sm2O3 and GO cause diminishing in band gap while lanthanum oxide cause a significant widening in it. Additionally, this study discusses the impact of mixed oxides insertion on the cytotoxicity of La2O3/Sm2O3/GO@CS film toward human lung cell-line. Cell viability is seen to be 123.21 % when 2.2 g/ml is utilized, and 117.95 % when 4.4 g/ml is used. Viability percentages of 29.49 and 27.31 % are obtained using 2250 and 4500 g/ml, respectively. The obtained data showed that the CS-based films behaved in a promising way when it came to healing wounds.
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•La2O3/Sm2O3/GO@CS scaffold is fabricated via casting technique.•Sm2O3 and GO cause diminishing in band gap while lanthanum oxide causes a significant widening in it.•Cytotoxicity of La2O3/Sm2O3/GO@CS film toward human lung cell-line.•Cell viability is seen to be 123.21 % when 2.2 g/ml is utilized, and 117.95 % when 4.4 g/ml is used.
A series of Co-doped and Cr-doped Ba1-xCoxFe12-yCryO19 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via the microemulsion route. The effects of Co and Cr substitution on the structural, dielectric, optical, ...and photocatalytic properties of the NPs were investigated. The Ba1-xCoxFe12-yCryO19 NPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and dielectric measurements. The Ba1-xCoxFe12-yCryO19 NPs were obtained in a single phase with an average crystallite size of 18 nm. The dielectric constant of the NPs decreased, while the dielectric loss and tangent loss increased with increasing dopant (Co and Cr) contents. The photocatalytic activities (PCAs) of the Ba1-xCoxFe12-yCryO19 and BaFe12O19 NPs were appraised by carrying out the degradation of CV (crystal violet) dye under solar light irradiation. The doping improved the PCA of BaFe12O19, and up to 64.23% of the CV dye could be degraded within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The Ba1-xCoxFe12-yCryO19 NPs showed great potential for application as an economic photocatalyst as they required solar light irradiation for the degradation of CV.
Developing wound bandages with advanced properties to be qualified in improving the period of healing to avoid the harmful inflammation and the danger of the side effects that may be caused by the ...long period. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was fabricated and doped with several oxides; Alumina oxide (Al2O3) and Cerium oxide (CeO2) via film casting method. Furthermore, XRD, FTIR, SEM, TGA, water contact angle, and cell viability were used to characterize the fabrication process of the scaffolds. Rough and porous surface were a mutual morphological properties for all the fabricated scaffolds which may lead to good adhesion and easy transfer of therapeutic fluids and moisture movement through the wound. TGA shows a great thermal stability for CeO2/Al2O3/GO@HA according to the three stages of degradation that the scaffold went through. These stages started from temperature under 200 °C to the final degradation stage that occurred at 599.2 with mass loss about 67 % of total components. Furthermore, the assessment of cell viability was employed to evaluate the biological compatibility of the scaffold with normal lung cells for a period of three days in vitro. The concentration of the substance was first set at 2500 μg/ml, and the Ic50 value was subsequently discovered to be 625 μg/ml. The decrease in drug concentration is associated with an increase in cell growth that estimated by 95.3 % with 4.4 μg/ml of concentration.
•CeO2/Al2O3/GO@HA composite is prepared via casting technique.•TGA shows a great thermal stability for CeO2/Al2O3/GO@HA.•Produced scaffolds were able to effectively function as wound dressings and greatly expedite the process of tissue regeneration.•The concentration was first set at 2500 μg/ml, and the Ic50 value was discovered to be 625 μg/ml.•The decrease in concentration make an increase in cell growth by 95.3 % with 4.4 μg/ml.
Microemulsified gels (μEGs) with fascinating functions have become indispensable as topical drug delivery systems due to their structural flexibility, high stability, and facile manufacturing ...process. Topical administration is an attractive alternative to traditional methods because of advantages such as noninvasive administration, bypassing first-pass metabolism, and improving patient compliance. In this article, we report on the new formulations of microemulsion-based gels suitable for topical pharmaceutical applications using biocompatible and ecological ingredients. For this, two biocompatible μE formulations comprising clove oil/Brij-35/water/ethanol (formulation A) and clove oil/Brij-35/water/1-propanol (formulation B) were developed to encapsulate and improve the load of an antimycotic drug, Clotrimazole (CTZ), and further gelatinized to control the release of CTZ through skin barriers. By delimiting the pseudo-ternary phase diagram, optimum μE formulations with clove oil (∼15%) and Brij-35 (∼30%) were developed, keeping constant surfactant/co-surfactant ratio (1:1), to upheld 2.0 wt % CTZ. The as-developed formulations were further converted into smart gels by adding 2.0 wt % carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a cross-linker to adhere to the controlled release of CTZ through complex skin barriers. Electron micrographs show a fine, monodispersed collection of CTZ-μE nanodroplets (∼60 nm), which did not coalesce even after gelation, forming spherical CTZ-μEG (∼90 nm). However, the maturity of CTZ nanodroplets observed by dynamic light scattering suggests the affinity of CTZ for the nonpolar microenvironment, which was further supported by the peak-to-peak correlation of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and fluorescence measurement. In addition, HPLC analysis showed that the in vitro permeation release of CTZ-μEG from rabbit skin in the ethanolic phosphate buffer (pH = 7.4) was significantly increased by >98% within 6.0 h. This indicates the sustained release of CTZ in μEBG and the improvement in transdermal therapeutic efficacy of CTZ over its traditional topical formulations.
Wastewater treatment as well as biological activities require efficient and cost-effective alternative materials which motivates the interest of scientists for different types of nanomaterials. ...Nanomaterials are the best class of materials which can be used as adsorbents to treat wastewater and equally can be utilized as antioxidant, antimicrobial agents. The present study involves the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs) by hydrothermal approach followed by thermal decomposition of their respective metal carbonates at their scrupulous decomposition temperature. The prepared NPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The porous, spherical/irregular texture of prepared NPs was confirmed by SEM. Further, XRD analysis validated the formation of smaller size crystals of pure Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs. Thermal stability of as prepared Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs was investigated by TGA. The adsorptive behaviour of all the three NPs was investigated against the removal of an azo dye tartrazine (TZ). The optimum conditions for TZ removal were investigated using well established adsorption parameter like pH, shaking speed, temperature, initial TZ concentration and contact time. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of TZ onto Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs was found to be 204.3, 184.7 and 177.6 mg/g respectively. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms were applied to TZ adsorption data and results indicated that the Freundlich model was best fitted having higher correlation factor (r2) indicating multilayer adsorption. Kinetic studies revealed that TZ adsorption onto all three NPs was better descried by pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model. Antimicrobial nature of Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs was studied against fungal and bacterial strains via disk diffusion method and CuO NPs were found with highest inhibition (31 mm and 20 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Antioxidant behaviour of Co3O4, CuO and Mn2O3 NPs was observed against DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and highest inhibition (66%) of Co3O4 was observed as compared to Mn2O3, CuO. In short, these multifunctional NPs can be used for pollutant removal and equally can be utilised for biological activities.
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