Bismuth Oxide Research Articles

Defect-enabled room-temperature acetone gas sensors based on Zn-doped cauliflower-like bismuth oxide

Metal oxide-based gas sensors have promising advantages, such as low cost and high sensitivities, but the high working temperature (150°C–300 °C) hinders their practical applications. Herein, this study demonstrated a Zinc (Zn)-doped approach to achieve defect-enabled room-temperature acetone gas sensors based on bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) thin film. Through a simple chemical bath deposition method, the varying substitutional doping of zinc (2 wt% to 8 wt%) can induce the morphological transformation of Bi2O3 nanosheets to a cauliflower-like nanostructure, leading to enhanced surface area and active sites. The incorporation of Zn ions can result in oxygen vacancies in the Bi2O3 lattice and the rising of the depletion layer, facilitating the interaction toward acetone molecules at ambient temperatures, leading to an increment of response ∼6. The Zn-doped cauliflower-like Bi2O3 electrode exhibits a superior sensing performance of acetone gas with a low detection limit of 1 ppm and high stability over 90 days. This work underscores the potential of controlled doping of Zn for oxygen vacancy-riched Bi2O3 thin film as a promising room-temperature acetone gas sensor, offering new avenues for the detection of hazardous gases with improved sensitivity.

A Second Wind for Inorganic APIs: Leishmanicidal and Antileukemic Activity of Hydrated Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Currently, meglumine antimoniate is the first-choice treatment for the disease. The limited efficacy and high toxicity of the drug results in the necessity to search for new active principles. Nanotechnology is gaining importance in the field, since it can provide better efficacy and lower toxicity of the drugs. The present study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the in vitro leishmanicidal and antileukemic activity of bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs). Promastigotes and amastigotes of L. (V.) guyanensis and L. (L.) amazonensis were exposed to BiNPs. The efficacy of the nanoparticles was determined by measurement of the parasite viability and the percentage of infected cells, while the cytotoxicity was characterized by the colorimetry. BiNPs did not induce cytotoxicity in murine peritoneal macrophages and showed better efficacy in inhibiting promastigotes (IC50 < 0.46 nM) and amastigotes of L. (L.) amazonensis. This is the first report on the leishmanicidal activity of Bi-based materials against L. (V.) guayanensis. BiNPs demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against K562 and HL60 cells at all evaluated concentrations. While the nanoparticles also showed some cytotoxicity towards non-cancerous Vero cells, the effect was much lower compared to that on cancer cells. Treatment with BiNPs also had a significant effect on inhibiting and reducing colony formation in HL60 cells. These results indicate that bismuth nanoparticles have the potential for an inhibitory effect on the clonal expansion of cancer cells.

Decoding the role of bismuth oxide in advancing structural, thermal, and nuclear properties of [B2O3–Li2O–SiO2]-Nb2O5 glass systems

This paper investigates the pivotal role of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) in the enhancement of nuclear safety, structural, and thermal properties of glasses, specifically in the BNLS system. BNLS system has the formula [B2O3–Li2O–SiO2]-Nb2O5(20-x)–(Bi2O3)x (where x = 0.0,5.0,10.0,15.0 and 20.0 mol%). Through a comparative study, the potential advantages, and limitations of integrating Bi₂O₃ in place of traditional elements are highlighted, emphasizing its importance in the field of advanced glass materials. FTIR analysis showed the presence of Bi–O vibrations of the tetrahedral [BO4] groups and the Bi–O–Bi linkages. DSC testified the glass formation with increasing thermal stability of the formed glass with the inclusion of Bi2O3 into the glass system. Through the quantification of the Gamma Linear Attenuation Coefficient (GLAC) and Gamma Mass Attenuation Coefficient (GMAC), the work identifies the attenuation behavior against varying photon energies. Notably, a concentration-dependent rise in attenuation characteristics is observed, with BNLS20 exhibiting the most potent radiation shielding. Glass Half-Value Layer (GHVL) parameters and Mass Gamma Photon Penetration (GMFP) were measured, reinforcing that glasses with higher Bi2O3 concentrations and lower GHVL are better attenuators. The transmission factor (ln(I/Io)) was also studied, confirming that BNLS20 possesses the most effective radiation shielding capabilities. This research establishes that adding Bi₂O₃ to the [B2O3–Li2O–SiO2]-Nb2O5 glass system markedly improves its thermal stability and radiation shielding capabilities. BNLS20, in particular, emerges as a standout for radiation protection, surpassing both other BNLS variants and conventional shielding materials, thereby positioning it as an exceptional choice for advanced nuclear safety applications.

Novel defect-transit dual Z-scheme heterojunction: Sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes loaded with bismuth oxide and bismuth sulfide for efficient photocatalytic amine oxidation

The rational design of Z-scheme heterojunction hybrid photocatalysts is considered a promising way to achieve high photocatalytic activity. In this study, a dual Z-scheme heterojunction with bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanorods and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles anchored Sulfur-doped carbon nitride (S-CN) nanotubes (Bi2S3/S-CN/Bi2O3) is designed and fabricated through the ordinal metal ion adsorption, pyrolysis, and sulfidation processes using supramolecular rods as precursor. Compared with pristine Bi2S3, Bi2O3, and CN, the dual Z-scheme tube-shaped Bi2S3/S-CN/Bi2O3 catalyst exhibited a significantly improved photocatalytic activity in amine oxidation. The optimized Bi2S3/S-CN/Bi2O3 nanostructure exhibits a 97.6 % benzylamine conversion and 99.4 % imine selectivity within 4 h under simulated solar light irradiation. The excellent activity of Bi2S3/S-CN/Bi2O3 nanotubes can be attributed to the characteristic hollow defect band structure and efficient charge separation and transfer achieved by the dual Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism, which was systematically studied using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscope, and other techniques. The optimized dual Z-scheme heterojunction hybrid photocatalyst maintains the high oxidizing ability of Bi2S3 and Bi2O3 and the excellent reducing ability of CN, thereby significantly enhancing the photocatalytic activity. This research provides a facile and feasible synthesis strategy for designing dual Z-scheme heterojunctions with defect band structure to improve the photocatalytic activity.

A new approach for synthesis of bismuth oxide derived photocatalyst for degradation of para nitrophenol

More focus has recently been placed on achieving the sustainable development objectives by 2030. As water is important and ha many purposes, it is important to have clean water. The inefficiency of different water treatment techniques restricts their widespread implementation. Furthermore, some of the procedures readily create secondary pollutants. As a result, it is critical to develop an effective and ecologically beneficial method of converting organic contaminants into non-toxic and harmless chemicals. A modified hydrothermal synthesis method was utilised for successfully producing Bi2O3 nanoparticles in this research. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray were used to characterise and to find the structural, optical, morphological, and compositional aspects of the formed nanoparticles. Moreover, the formed particles were used to degrade the noxious Para-nitrophenol (PNP). PNP deterioration was performed under 3 different conditions: under halogen light, under sunlight and in the dark. The experiment showed that halogen irradiation showed better result. Due to PNP adsorption on Bi2O3, even without irradiation, a small degradation was detected but in just over an hour, under halogen light the catalyst destroyed 99.23 % of 4-nitrophenol. We also used natural lighting in our degradation studies. Natural daylight deterioration efficiency was 63.26 %. The nanoparticles that were formed turned out to be an excellent photocatalyst for the degradation of PNP in wastewater.

Synthesis of highly dispersed metallic bismuth nanoparticles in CuO–Bi2O3–SiO2 glass-ceramics for sodium ion battery anode

The formation of bismuth and copper nanoparticles from CuO–Bi2O3–SiO2 glass by heat treatment in the presence of hydrogen and their functionality as anode active material in sodium ion batteries was examined. Oxides consisting of xCuO-(85-x)Bi2O3–15SiO2 (mol%) vitrify in the composition range of x from 5 to 30. In compositions with large amounts of copper oxide (x > 35), Cu2O crystallizes, suggesting the presence of Cu+ and Cu2+ with different valence states in the glass. Heat treatment in a mixed atmosphere of hydrogen and nitrogen resulted in the crystallization of bismuth oxide and their reduction to form glass ceramics with dispersed bismuth and copper particles. As bismuth and copper are consumed from the glass matrix by phase separation, a cross-linked structure of silica develops in residual glass matrix. The resulting bismuth particles was small in size than borate-based glass ceramics, indicating that the cross-linked silicates have an inhibiting effect on bismuth grain growth. Charge-discharge tests in a sodium ion battery showed a reversible charge-discharge profile without the initial irreversible reaction of bismuthate reduction.

Tailoring the physical, optical, and structural properties of bismuth oxide to enhance its anionic, cationic, and phenol dye degradation activities

We provide a novel investigation that demonstrates the synthesis of silver-doped bismuth oxide (ABO), holmium-doped bismuth oxide (HBO), nanostructured bismuth oxide (BO), and silver-holmium co-doped bismuth oxide (CDBO) by a cost-effective and straightforward surfactant-assisted co-precipitation technique. In comparison to the BO, ABO, and HBO samples, the optical tests revealed that the CDBO sample exhibited superior photocatalytic characteristics. This is possibly attributed to the physical, optical, and structural properties of the material tailored by the synergistic effect of the adopted strategies, i.e., nanotechnology, oxygen vacancies, and co-doping. The microstructures, physicochemical properties, morphological characteristics, and compositional attributes of the synthesized materials were investigated using sophisticated characterization techniques. The intrinsic conductivity of the bismuth oxide was enhanced with the incorporation of Ag and Ho as co-dopants, as shown by the results obtained from two probe current-voltage experiments. The co-doped sample exhibited the highest efficacy in decomposing rhodamine B dye, with a degradation rate of 91 % during a mere 70-min exposure to W-lamp illumination. The most ideal settings for CDBO photocatalytic activities were identified by comprehensive parameter optimization research. These parameters include a basic pH, a catalyst dosage of 25 mg, a dye concentration of 15 ppm, and an operating temperature of 30 °C. The co-doped and nanostructured photocatalyst also showed an outstanding capability to break down orange II and phenol dye. The trapping experiments' results indicate that the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals play a significant role in the mineralization of the tested dye.

Novel method of phosphorous doped bismuth oxide with carbon aerogel for a selective voltammetry quantification of anti-cancer drug: Regorafenib

Regorafenib (REG) is an oral multikinase inhibitor derived from diphenylureas. This drug is prescribed to treat colorectal and gastrointestinal stromal tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our present study demonstrates the non-enzymatic electrochemical determination of REG in human blood serum at low concentrations by applying phosphorous-doped bismuth oxide (P-BiO) and porous graphene oxide (PGO)/protonated graphitic carbon nitride (PGCN) combined Aerogel form a P-BiO/Aerogel nanohybrids fabricated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The property of our proposed electrocatalyst was characterized using several spectroscopic techniques. Utilizing cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques the electrochemical performance of this designed sensor was analyzed. Our P-BiO/Aerogel/GCE sensor exhibited a lower detection limit (LOD) of 0.1 nM with a high sensitivity of 1.433 µA µM-1cm−2. As a part of the real-time functionality, our fabricated sensor quantified the trace levels of REG in the consumed patient’s blood serum samples at the recovery range of 99–103 %. Therefore, our P-BiO/Aerogel nanohybrid electrocatalyst is a promising electrocatalyst for the real-time monitoring of REG.

Converting an O-vacancy-rich oxide into a multifunctional separator modifier for long-lifespan lithium metal batteries

The lithium metal anode is hailed as the desired “holy grail” for the forthcoming generation of high-energy-density batteries, given its astounding theoretical capacity and low potential. Nonetheless, the formation and growth of dendrites seriously compromise battery life and safety. Herein, an yttria-stabilized bismuth oxide (YSB) layer is fabricated on the polypropylene (PP) separator, where YSB reacts with Li anode in-situ in the cell to form a multi-component composite interlayer consisting of Li3Bi, Li2O, and Y2O3. The interlayer can function not only as a redistributor to regulate Li+ distribution but also as an anion adsorber to increase the Li+ transference number from 0.37 to 0.79 for suppressing dendrite nucleation and growth. Consequently, compared with the cell with a baseline separator, those with modified separators exhibit prolonged lifespan in both Li/Li symmetrical cells and Li/Cu half-cells. Notably, the full cells coupled with ultrahigh-loading LiFePO4 display an excellent cycling performance of 1700 cycles with a high capacity retention of ∼80% at 1 C, exhibiting great potential for practical applications. This work provides a feasible and effective new strategy for separator modification towards building a much-anticipated dendrite-free Li anode and realizing long-lifespan lithium metal batteries.

Synthesis of bismuth vanadate by laser ablation in liquid route and its structural and optical characterization

In this work, a bottom up route was developed to obtain BiVO4 by dissociation of precursors by laser ablation. The process consisted of using a laser beam focusing on a mixture of bismuth oxide in an ammonium metavanadate solution under agitation. The precipitate obtained demonstrated high crystallinity as evidenced by the narrow peaks in the x-ray diffraction pattern and 20 nm crystallite size calculated by the Scherrer equation, approximately, and the presence of monoclinic Scheelite and tetragonal zirconia-like phases mixing. Particles showed a certain degree of agglomeration with size ranging from 400-200 nm according to SEM images. The Raman spectra showed the typical vibrational modes of mixed phases, which only changed into monoclinic scheelite after being calcined at 500 °C. The band gap was determined using Tauc plot and revealed a 2.5 eV energy band gap with a well-defined band in the visible range of spectrum for monoclinic phase samples material thermally treated. Photoluminescence results demonstrated low recombination rate for electron-hole pair indicating could be suitable in photocatalysis.

Bismuth drug-inspired ultra-small dextran coated bismuth oxide nanoparticles for targeted computed tomography imaging of inflammatory bowel disease

Bismuth (Bi)-based computed tomography (CT) imaging contrast agents (CAs) hold significant promise for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases due to their cost-effectiveness, heightened sensitivity, and commendable biocompatibility. Nevertheless, substantial challenges persist in achieving an easy synthesis process, remarkable water solubility, and effective targeting ability for the potential clinical transformation of Bi-based CAs. Herein, we show Bi drug-inspired ultra-small dextran coated bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3-Dex NPs) for targeted CT imaging of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Bi2O3-Dex NPs are synthesized through a simple alkaline precipitation reaction using bismuth salts and dextran as the template. The Bi2O3-Dex NPs exhibit ultra-small size (3.4 nm), exceptional water solubility (over 200 mg mL−1), high Bi content (19.75 %), excellent biocompatibility and demonstrate higher X-ray attenuation capacity compared to clinical iohexol. Bi2O3-Dex NPs not only enable clear visualization of the GI tract outline and intestinal loop structures in CT imaging but also specifically target and accumulate at the inflammatory site in colitis mice after oral administration, facilitating a precise diagnosis and enabling targeted CT imaging of IBD. Our study introduces a novel and clinically promising strategy for synthesizing high-performance Bi2O3-Dex NPs for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases.

Exploring Potential Applications of α and β Polymorphs of Bi2O3 Nanoparticles

AbstractIn this investigation, we successfully synthesized bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) via simple combustion method using Artocarpous heterophyllus (Jackfruit) extract as fuel. Both α and β polymorphs of bismuth oxide NPs was prepared using same Artocarpous heterophyllus fuel but there is a variation in the addition of fuel in the range of 1 mL–6 mL. The prepared NPs were characterized by utilizing spectroscopic techniques. The photocatalytic efficiencies were found to be 84 %, 93 % for both α, β forms respectively. Methylene blue dye exhibits effective degradation for β‐phase compared to α‐phase. Furthermore, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and sensing (CV) activities were performed. The bismuth oxide modified electrodes exhibits better sensing activity towards dopamine, ascorbic acid, lead nitrate, and results obtained from EIS data revealed the super capacitor characteristics of Bi2O3 nanoparticles. This extensive investigation assessed the effectiveness of Aspergillus Niger‐fighting drugs, as well as the antibacterial effects of synthesized nanoparticles on Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli. Measurements of optical density were used to establish the MIC values for antifungals. The protein 4XUY has a strong binding affinity of −6.4 Kcal/mol, with four important hydrogen bond interactions (LYS51, HIS84, ASN131, and GLU238) revealed by molecular docking research. These results expand our knowledge of the therapeutic uses of bismuth oxide nanoparticles by highlighting their potential as effective antibacterial agents and by providing insightful information about how they work against pathogenic microorganisms.

Impact of Bi2O3 on the Structural, Optical, Radiation Shielding, and Dielectric Analysis of Lead Borosilicate Glasses Doped with TiO2

Objective: The principal aim of this investigation was to assess the impact of bismuth oxide on the optical properties, radiation shielding characteristics, and dielectric behavior of lead borosilicate glasses doped with titanium oxide at a low concentration. Method: We intended to utilize the conventional rapid melt quenching method to produce glasses with the following chemical composition: 25 PbO+ 15 B2O3 + 0.1 TiO2 + (59.9-x) SiO2 : x Bi2O3(0≤x≤12). Findings: XRD and SEM analyses were used to confirm the samples' non-crystalline properties, while DTA investigations were used to evaluate the samples' ability to form glass. The numerous structural elements were identified through the utilization of FT–IR and Raman analyses. The optical characteristics of glasses are determined by optical absorption studies. The findings derived from optical absorption spectral analyses revealed a progressive increase in the concentration of octahedral Ti4+ ions with the mol% Bi2O3 concentration. In order to analyse the glasses' dielectric properties, an impudence analyser was employed. The results obtained from these inquiries indicate that glasses do contain Bi2O3 at concentrations lower than 12 mol% experience a progressive increase in dielectric constant values. Further investigation is conducted into the radiation shielding properties of the glasses. Novelty: The findings indicate that the values of the glasses' optical band gap, radiation shielding ability, dielectric constant, and thermal stability are all directly correlated with their Bi2O3 concentration. Keywords: FT­IR, Raman, OBG, MAC, Activation Energy

Rare-earth praseodymium-substituted Bi5Ti3FeO15 exhibiting enhanced piezoelectric properties for high-temperature application

Owing to their exceptional piezoelectric effects, piezoelectric materials play a crucial role in high-end technologies and contribute significantly to the national economy. Bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics (BLSFs) possess high Curie temperatures, making them a focal point of research in high-temperature piezoelectric sensor devices. However, their poor piezoelectric performance and low direct-current (DC) electrical resistivity hinder their effective deployment in high-temperature applications. To overcome these shortcomings, we employed composition optimization by partially substituting bismuth ions with rare-earth praseodymium ions. This approach enhances the piezoelectric performance and improves the DC electrical resistivity by preventing the loss of volatile bismuth ions and stabilizing the bismuth oxide layer (Bi2O2)2+, thereby reducing the concentration of oxygen vacancies. Consequently, we achieved a large piezoelectric constant d33 of 23.5 pC/N in praseodymium-substituted Bi5Ti3FeO15, which is three times higher than that of pure Bi5Ti3FeO15 (7.1 pC/N), along with a high Curie temperature TC of 778 °C. Additionally, the optimal composition of 4 mol% praseodymium-substituted Bi5Ti3FeO15 exhibits good thermal stability of electromechanical coupling characteristics up to 300 °C. This study holds promise for a wide array of high-temperature piezoelectric applications and has the potential to accelerate the development of high-temperature piezoelectric sensor technologies.

Advanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Cytarabine from Pharmaceutical Wastewaters.

The need to develop advanced wastewater treatment techniques and their use has become a priority, the main goal being the efficient removal of pollutants, especially those of organic origin. This study presents the photo-degradation of a pharmaceutical wastewater containing Kabi cytarabine, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and a synthesized catalyst, a composite based on bismuth and iron oxides (BFO). The size of the bandgap was determined by UV spectroscopy, having a value of 2.27 eV. The specific surface was determined using the BET method, having a value of 0.7 m2 g-1. The material studied for the photo-degradation of cytarabine presents a remarkable photo-degradation efficiency of 97.9% for an initial concentration 0f 10 mg/L cytarabine Kabi when 0.15 g of material was used, during 120 min of interaction with UV radiation at 3 cm from the irradiation source. The material withstands five photo-degradation cycles with good results. At the same time, through this study, it was possible to establish that pyrimidine derivatives could be able to combat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Candida parapsilosis.

Leaching and cytotoxicity of bismuth oxide in ProRoot MTA - A laboratory investigation.

The present study examined the leaching and cytotoxicity of bismuth from ProRoot MTA and aimed to identify whether bismuth leaching was affected by the cement base and the immersion regime used. The leaching profile of bismuth was examined from ProRoot MTA and compared with hydroxyapatite containing 20% bismuth oxide as well as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium silicate to investigate whether bismuth release changed depending on the cement base. Bismuth leaching was determined after 30 and 180 days of ageing immersed in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) using mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The media were either unchanged or regularly replenished. The pH, surface microstructure and phase changes of aged materials were assessed. Wistar rat femoral bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and cutaneous fibroblasts were isolated, cultured and seeded for cell counting (trypan blue live/dead) after exposure to non-aged, 30- and 180-days-aged samples in regularly replenished DMEM. Aged DMEM in contact with materials was also used to culture BMSCs to investigate the effect of material leachates on the cells. Gene expression analysis was also carried out after direct exposure of cells to non-aged materials. Differences between groups were statistically tested at a significance level of 5%. All materials exhibited alterations after immersion in DMEM and this increased with longer exposure times. The bismuth leached from ProRoot MTA as detected by ICP-MS. Aged ProRoot MTA samples exhibited a black discolouration and surface calcium carbonate deposition. ProRoot MTA influenced cell counts after direct exposure and its 180-days leachates reduced BMSC viability. After direct BMSC contact with non-aged ProRoot MTA an upregulation of metallothionein (MT1 and MT2A) expression and down-regulation of collagen-1a (Col-1a) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression was identified. Bismuth leaching was observed throughout 180-days observation period from all materials containing bismuth oxide. This negatively influenced cell viability and gene expression associated with bismuth exposure. This is the first study to report that metallothionein gene expression was influenced by exposure to ProRoot MTA.

Synthesis Bi2O3/gC3N4 heterostructures: Investigation structural, morphological and photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue and rhodamine B

Waste from various dyes as a result of industrial development is an important source of pollutants for water resources; These wastes are frequently carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to aquatic life, so treating wastewater is vitally important. Photocatalytic purification is a popular method because it can break down dye molecules and change them into non-toxic, small and harmless species. Moreover, utilizing the power of sunlight, this technology holds significant promise for enabling environmentally friendly, sustainable, and economically viable technologies. The non-toxic polymeric photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride (gC3N4) is an n-type semiconductor. Its facile and economical synthesis, effective band structure, and stability make it a popular option for photocatalytic investigations. It is crucial to develop nanocomposites to boost the capacity of materials for photocatalysis. The objective of this study is to fabricate nanocomposites of graphitic carbon nitride from thiourea, incorporating varying ratios of bismuth oxide through thermal condensation. The aim is to employ these composites for the catalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes. The synthesized samples' morphological and structural characteristics were studied. Their photocatalytic activity against methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes has also been reported. The Bi2O3/gC3N4 heterostructured samples were prepared considering bismuth nitrate and thiourea at weight ratios of 0.125:10, 0.25:10, and 0.5:10. In the study, the Bi2O3/gC3N4 heterostructured sample with the lowest bismuth doping rate was seen to have the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency. A remarkable degradation rate, reaching 98.83 % within 70 min for MB and 98.59 % within 60 min for RhB dye was observed. The enhanced photocatalytic activities of the synthesized composite can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the heterostructure developed between graphitic carbon nitride and bismuth oxide. As a result, this study has shown promise that Bi2O3/gC3N4 composite photocatalysts can be an effective material for removing dyes.

Oxygen-enriching triphase platform for reliable sensing of femtomolar Alzheimer’s neurofilament lights

Accurate quantification of neurofilament lights (NfLs), a prognostic blood biomarker, is highly required to predict neurodegeneration in the presymptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we report self-oxygen-enriching coral structures with triphase interfaces for the label-free photocathodic detection of NfLs in blood plasma with femtomolar sensitivities and high reliability. In conventional photocathodic immunoassays, the poor solubility and sluggish diffusion rate of the dissolved oxygen serving as electron acceptors have necessitated the incorporation of additional electron acceptors or aeration procedures. To address the challenge, we designed the coral-like copper bismuth oxides (CBO) with robust solid–liquid–air contact boundaries that enrich the interfacial oxygen levels without an external aeration source. By optimally assembling the perfluorododecyltrichlorosilane (FTCS) and platinum (Pt) co-catalysts into the silver-doped CBO (Ag:CBO), the stable solid–liquid–air contact boundaries were formed within the sensor interfaces, which allowed for the abundant supply of air phase oxygen through an air pocket connected to the atmosphere. The Pt/FTCS-Ag:CBO exhibited the stable background signals independent of the dissolved oxygen fluctuations and amplified photocurrent signals by 1.76-fold, which were attributed to the elevated interfacial oxygen levels and 11.15 times-lowered mass transport resistance. Under the illumination of white light-emitting diode, the oxygen-enriching photocathodic sensor composed of Pt/FTCS-Ag:CBO conjugated with NfLs-specific antibodies precisely quantified the NfLs in plasma with a low coefficient of variation (≤2.97%), a high degree of recovery (>97.0%), and a limit of detection of 40.38 fg/mL, which was 140 times lower than the typical photocathodic sensor with diphase interfaces.

Oxygen‐Doped Porous Carbon Nanotubes Encapsulated Bismuth Oxide to Enhance the Performance of Lithium‐Sulfur Battery

AbstractLithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) are greatly promising next‐generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical specific capacities and energy density. However, the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LIPs) causees low capacity and short lifespan, impeding the practical application of LSBs. To address this challenge, the composites of oxygen‐doped porous carbon nanotubes (CNTs) wrapped in Bi2O3 were synthesized by the calcinating method (CNTs@Bi2O3). The CNTs@Bi2O3 composites as absorbent immobilize LIPs via the physical limitations of porous CNTs and the chemical adsorption of Bi2O3 and carbon‐oxygen polar bond. After loading sulfur, the CNTs@Bi2O3/S composites with the encapsulated structure can provide a large space to withstand the significant volume expansion during the electrochemical reaction process, ensuring the stability of the electrode structure. Thus, the batteries with CNTs@Bi2O3/S exhibit a high capacity (1232 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C) and good cycle stability (639.1 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.5 C). This work presents an innovative design suitable for the encapsulated structure of Bi2O3, serving as a valuable reference for the development of Bi2O3 in LSBs.

Characterization of multifunctional β-cyclodextrin-coated Bi2O3 nanoparticles conjugated with curcumin for CT imaging-guided synergetic chemo-radiotherapy in breast cancer

Nanotechnology-based diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches revolutionized the field of cancer detection, and treatment, offering tremendous potential for cost-effective interventions in the early stages of disease. This research synthesized bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) that were modified with polycyclodextrin (PCD), and functionalized with glucose (Glu) to load curcumin (CUR) for CT imaging and chemo-radiotherapy applications in Breast Cancer.The prepared Bi2O3@PCD-CUR-Glu NPs underwent comprehensive characterization, encompassing various aspects, including cell migration, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, blood compatibility, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability, real-time PCR analysis, in-vivo safety assessment, in-vivo anti-tumor efficacy, as well as in-vitro CT contrast and X-ray RT enhancement evaluation. CT scan was conducted before and after (1 and 3 h) intravenous injection of Bi2O3@PCD-CUR-Glu NPs. Through the use of coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis, the final prepared nanoparticle distribution in the Bab/c mice was assessed.The spherical NPs that were ultimately synthesized and had a diameter of around 80 nm demonstrated exceptional toxicity towards the SKBr-3 breast cancer cell line. The cell viability was at its lowest level after 48 h of exposure to a radiation dose of 2 Gy at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The combined treatment involving using Bi2O3@PCD-CUR-Glu NPs along with X-ray radiation showed a substantial increase in the generation of ROS, specifically a remarkable 420 % growth. Gene expression analysis indicated that the expression levels of P53, and BAX pro-apoptotic genes were significantly increased. The in-vitro CT imaging analysis conducted unequivocally demonstrated the notable superiority of NPs over Omnipaque in terms of X-ray absorption capacity, a staggering 1.52-fold increase at 80 kVp.The resultsdemonstrated that the targeted Bi2O3@PCD-CUR-Glu NPs could enhance the visibility of a small mice tumor that is detectable by computed tomography and made visible through X-ray attenuation. Results suggested that Bi2O3@PCD-CUR-Glu NPs, integrated with CT imaging and chemo-radiotherapy, have great potential as a versatile theranostic system for clinical application.