Colloidal Solution Research Articles

Early Fluid Is Less Fluid: Comparing Early Versus Late ICU Resuscitation in Severely Injured Trauma Patients.

The temporal trends of crystalloid resuscitation in severely injured trauma patients after ICU admission are not well characterized. We hypothesized early crystalloid resuscitation was associated with less volume and better outcomes than delaying crystalloid. Retrospective, observational. High-volume level 1 academic trauma center. Adult trauma patients admitted to the ICU with emergency department serum lactate greater than or equal to 4 mmol/dL, elevated lactate (≥ 2 mmol/L) at ICU admission, and normal lactate by 48 hours. None. For the 333 subjects, we analyzed patient and injury characteristics and the first 48 hours of ICU course. Receipt of greater than or equal to 500 mL/hr of crystalloid in the first 6 hours of ICU admission was used to distinguish early vs. late resuscitation. Outcomes included ICU length of stay (LOS), ventilator days, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Unadjusted and multivariable regression methods were used to compare early resuscitation vs. late resuscitation. Compared with the early resuscitation group, the late resuscitation group received more volume by 48 hours (5.5 vs. 4.1 L; p ≤ 0.001), had longer ICU LOS (9 vs. 5 d; p ≤ 0.001), more ventilator days (5 vs. 2 d; p ≤ 0.001), and higher occurrence rate of AKI (38% vs. 11%; p ≤ 0.001). On multivariable regression, late resuscitation remained associated with longer ICU LOS and ventilator days and higher odds of AKI. Delaying resuscitation is associated with both higher volumes of crystalloid by 48 hours and worse outcomes compared with early resuscitation. Judicious crystalloid given early in ICU admission could improve outcomes in the severely injured.

The mechanism of the influence of ultrasound on the nucleation and growth of A2B6 nanoparticles in a colloidal solution

The mechanism of the influence of ultrasound on the nucleation and growth of A2B6 nanoparticles in a colloidal solution was investigated. The proposed theory is based on an increase in the temperature of the colloidal solution and the diffusion coefficient of the monomer under the influence of ultrasonic cavitation. It was established that ultrasound leads to a decrease in the critical radius of colloidal nanoparticles. And when the radius of nanoparticles exceeds this critical value, their growth is observed. The dependence of the growth rate of CdSe nanoparticles on their radius at different temperatures and intensities of ultrasound was researched. It is shown that at the beginning of nanocrystal growth, an increase in intensity of ultrasound leads to an increase in the growth rate, followed by a sharp decrease. This makes it possible to synthesize colloidal quantum dots that are more uniform in size with the help of ultrasonic treatment.

The effect of laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum on patient’s respiratory variation of inferior vena cava and stroke volume index: A randomized controlled study

Background: The establishment of pneumoperitoneum has impacts on patient’s cardiovascular function. In this study, the respiratory variation of inferior vena cava (IVC), stroke volume (SV) index, and other parameters was monitored to determine how the pneumoperitoneum affects the patient’s hemodynamic and acknowledge how to resolve it. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients were randomly divided into Group A (8 mmHg), Group B (10 mmHg), Group C (12 mmHg), Group D (14 mmHg), and Group E (12 mmHg, infusion with 7 mL/kg crystalloid solution). The parameters including IVC variability, SV index, mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output index (CI), and airway pressure were measured, to compare the changes before and after pneumoperitoneum. Results: Among Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D, there were no significant differences in patients’ prepneumoperitoneum information. Compare with prepneumoperitoneum, the difference in IVC variability, SV index, MAP, HR, CI, and airway pressure was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the establishment of pneumoperitoneum, the difference in IVC variability, SV index, and airway pressure among Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compare with Group C, the change rates of IVC variability, SV index, MAP, HR, and CI were smaller in Group E (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The establishment of pneumoperitoneum could increase the patient’s IVC variability and reduce SV index, and with the increase of pressure, IVC variability had an increasing trend, SV index had a decreasing trend. Fluid transfusion could reduce the relative influence of the pneumoperitoneum.

Impact of Albumin Infusion Compared With Crystalloid Infusion on Organ Function After Liver Transplantation in Adult Patients

ObjectivesTo compare the clinical benefit of using albumin versus crystalloids for volume resuscitation on organ function in adult patients after liver transplantation. DesignA retrospective cohort study SettingData from a tertiary care facility electronic medical record, (EMR) on liver transplantation patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) PatientsAdults admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation InterventionsCrystalloid fluid resuscitation compared to albumin 5% in the immediate postoperative period after liver transplant. Measurements and main resultsAdults who underwent liver transplantation surgery and received a 5% albumin solution were compared with adults who received a crystalloid solution. Demographic, etiology, clinical variables, perioperative, and outcome variables were collected. The data were analyzed using a t-test, two-way ANOVA, and multivariate analysis. After applying all the exclusion criteria, a conservative population of 57 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation was included in this study. The crystalloid group had 27 patients (47.4%), while the albumin group had 30 patients (52.6%). The total mean age of the population was 52.2 years; males constituted most of the population (52.6%). Patients in the crystalloid group had similar characteristics to those in the albumin group. Daily SOFA scores gradually decreased during the postoperative period in both groups. The trend of the SOFA score was not different between the two groups. A two-way ANOVA shows no statistical difference in SOFA Score between the two groups postoperatively; the p-value is 0.84. A multivariate linear regression analysis shows that the MELD score was a predictor of the 7-day postoperative SOFA score in this population. ConclusionsIn our study, the use of albumin compared to crystalloids in patients undergoing liver transplantation appeared to have no significant difference in terms of the risk of organ dysfunction. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using either type of fluid.

Construction of porous Cu/CeO2 catalyst with abundant interfacial sites for effective methanol steam reforming

Methanol is a promising hydrogen carrier for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) via methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction. Ceria supported copper catalyst has attracted extensive attentions due to the extraordinary oxygen storage capacity and abundant oxygen vacancies. Herein, we developed a colloidal solution combustion (CSC) method to synthesize a porous Cu/CeO2(CSC) catalyst. Compared with Cu/CeO2 catalysts prepared by other methods, the Cu/CeO2(CSC) catalyst possesses highly dispersed copper species and abundant Cu+-Ov-Ce3+ sites at the copper-ceria interface, contributing to methanol conversion of 66.3 %, CO2 selectivity of 99.2 %, and outstanding hydrogen production rate of 490 mmol gcat−1 h−1 under 250 °C. The linear correlation between TOF values and Cu+-Ov-Ce3+ sites amount indicates the vital role of Cu+-Ov-Ce3+ sites in MSR reaction, presenting efficient ability in activation of water. Subsequently, a deep understanding of CSC method is further presented. In addition to serving as a hard template, the colloidal silica also acts as disperser between nanoparticles, enhancing the copper-ceria interactions and facilitating the generation of Cu+-Ov-Ce3+ sites. This study offers an alternative approach to synthesize highly dispersed supported copper catalysts.

Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by electrochemical method

In this work, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) were synthesized by electrochemical method, using a metallic silver cathode and anode in deionized water. The polarity was inverted every 60 seconds generating a voltage variation in order to obtain three different concentrations of Ag nanoparticles: 16 ppm, 24 ppm and 34 ppm. The synthesized nanoparticles were structurally, optically and morphologically characterized by XRD, UV-Vis and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), respectively. XRD patterns showed the peaks at 38.11° and 64.42° from Ag. The surface plasmon resonance peak in absorption spectra on silver colloidal solution showed absorption from 422 nm to 429 nm. TEM measurement provided an average particle size for the concentrations of 16 ppm, 24 ppm and 34 ppm of 4.23 nm, 3.95 nm and 3.27 nm, respectively. The test with the E. coli bacteria showed that there is an inhibition in the growth of the bacteria with the presence of silver nanoparticles.

Modified SnO2 Electron Transport Layer by One‐Step Doping with Histidine in Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin dioxide (SnO2), one of the best electron transport layer materials for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), has high electrical conductivity and low photocatalytic activity. However, the defects in its inside and surface result in nonradiative recombination at the SnO2/perovskite interface. Complex and time‐consuming passivation methods are not conducive to the commercialization of PSCs, and simple passivation strategies should be used to improve the photovoltaic performance of the devices. Herein, a facile and efficient method is proposed to simultaneously passivate the inside and surface defects by adding histidine (HIS) to SnO2 colloidal solution. This one‐step doping strategy also modulates carrier dynamics at the SnO2/perovskite interface. HIS reduces suspended hydroxyl groups, oxygen vacancies, and uncoordinated Sn4+ defects on the surface of SnO2, as well as uncoordinated Pb2+ and halogen vacancy defects at the buried interface of perovskite. Surprisingly, HIS can prevent perovskite from decomposition to form PbI2, which further decomposes to photoactive metallic Pb0 and I, causing ion migration in PSC. As a result, the PSC efficiency has significantly improved 23.11% after HIS doping. The efficiency of unencapsulated device with HIS is 94% of the primary efficiency after storage in relative humidity = 70 ± 5% for 1000 h.

PHOTOREGULATION OF THE BIOSYNTHETIC ACTIVITY OF LARICIFOMES OFFICINALIS USING COLLOIDAL SOLUTIONS OF METAL NANOPARTICLES AND LASER IRRADIATION

The aim of the work was to study the influence of biogenic metal nanoparticles on the growth characteristics and biosynthetic activity of the fungus Laricifomes officinalis, as well as the effects of photocatalytic activity of NPs after exposure to low-intensity laser radiation under deep cultivation conditions. Material and Methods. Traditional mycological methods, colloidal solutions of nanoparticles biogenic metals, and unique photobiological methods were used. Results. Treatment of the inoculum with colloidal solutions of nanoparticles of all used metals ncreased the growth of L. officinalis by 31–54%, while irradiation of the fungal inoculum with laser light in a medium with nanoparticles reduced the growth activity of the L. officinalis mycelium by 14.4–22.6%. All nanoparticles suppressed the biosynthesis of extracellular polysaccharides, whereas treatment of the inoculum with colloidal solutions of FeNPs and MgNPs stimulated the synthesis of endopolysaccharides. At the same time, laser light irradiation in the presence of AgNPs increased the amount of endopolysaccharides, while FeNPs and MgNPs slightly inhibited their synthesis. Treatment of the inoculum with colloidal metal solutions and laser light affected the total phenolic content (TPC) in the mycelial mass. The highest TPC values in ethanol extracts with AgNPs and laser light irradiation were 97.31Ѓ}3.7 mg of GAEs/g of dry mass. Conclusions. The research results gave ground to consider nanoparticles of biogenic metals (AgNPs, FeNPs, MgNPs) and low-intensity laser light as a promising regulators of the biosynthetic activity of L. officinalis in the biotechnology of its cultivation.

Exploiting coordination between poly (ethylene glycol) bis (carboxymethyl) ether and SnO2 for high-performance perovskite photodetectors

In perovskite detectors that utilize SnO₂ as an electron transport layer (ETL), the preparation of SnO₂ films using the solution method results in a significant number of defects. Additionally, the presence of nano-aggregates in the aqueous solution of untreated SnO₂ colloids leads to surface unevenness in SnO₂ films prepared using the spin-coating method, which can affect the growth and crystallization of perovskite. Defects and surface unevenness in SnO₂ films affect the performance of perovskite detectors. To further optimize the performance of perovskite detectors, SnO₂ incorporating poly (ethylene glycol) bis (carboxymethyl) ether (PBE) was developed, employing the polymer as a modifier. The results of the study showed that the incorporation of PBE had two effects: 1) the ether oxygen within the PBE forms a coordination bond with SnO₂, thereby reducing oxygen vacancies, and 2) reducing nano-aggregation of SnO₂ colloidal aqueous solutions, obtaining more uniform SnO₂ films, and promoting the growth and crystallization of perovskite. Ultimately, the performance of the optimized device was improved. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) improved from 84.82 % to 89.29 %, the dark current density decreased from 3.27 × 10-⁹ A cm-² to 1.03 × 10-¹⁰ A cm-², the linear dynamic range (LDR) increased from 88.5 to 118.3 dB, and the stability was enhanced. The device maintained 64.9 % of its original efficiency after being stored for 23 days at 25 °C and 20–30 % humidity.

Low-temperature slow-release permanganate gel for groundwater remediation: Dynamics in saturated porous media

Due to its adverse health and environmental impacts, groundwater contamination by toxic organic compounds such as chlorinated solvents is a global concern. The slow-release permanganate gel (SRP-G) is a mixture of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and colloidal silica solution. The SRP-G is designed to radially spread after injection via wells, gelate in situ to form gel barriers containing permanganate (MnO4−), and slowly release MnO4− to treat plumes of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. This study aimed to characterize the effects of temperature on the dynamics of SRP-G in saturated porous media.In gelation batch tests, the viscosity of ambient-temperature (24 °C) SRP-G with 30 g/L-KMnO4 was 21 cP at 70 min, 134 cP at 176 min, and peaked at 946 cP to solidification at 229 min. The viscosity of low-temperature (4 °C) SRP-G with 30 g/L-KMnO4 was 71 cP at 273 min, 402 cP at 392 min, and peaked at 818 cP to solidification at 485 min. A similar pattern, e.g., increased gelation lag time with low-temperature SRP-G, was observed for SRP-Gs with 40 g/L, 50 g/L, and 60 g/L KMnO4. In flow-through tests using a glass column filled with saturated sands, injection rates, spreading rates, and release durations were 0.6 mL/min, 46 mm/min, and 33 h for KMnO4(aq), 0.2 mL/min, 2 mm/min, and 38 h for ambient-temperature SRP-G, and 0.4 mL/min, 16 mm/min, and 115 h for low-temperature SRP-G, respectively. These results indicated that the injectability, injection rate, and gelation lag time of SRP-G and the size, release rate, and release duration of MnO4− gel barriers can be increased at low temperatures. The low-temperature SRP-G scheme can be useful for treating large or dilute dissolved plumes of chlorinated solvents or other pollutants in groundwater.

Morphometric study of peripheral blood in assessing the appropriateness of colloid use after mitral valve replacement

The study aimed to evaluate the morphological changes in erythrocytes following the administration of various solutions. Patients who underwent mitral valve (MV) replacement were divided into three groups: the first group received Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), the second received gelatin solution (4% succinylated gelatin solution), and the third received 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Blood samples were collected at 90 minutes, 24, and 48 hours post-resuscitation (ICU), and before discharge. Healthy patients' blood served as the control. The express technique of the "thick drop" (EMTD) was used to assess erythrocyte shape shifts, measuring the ratio of normal and pathological forms within 10-15 minutes using a DN-300M microscope. Before using the solutions, the pathological forms of erythrocytes were significantly higher in all groups compared to the control group. The control group had over 89.8% discocytes, while the number significantly decreased in MV patients pre-operation. Post-treatment with HEC and Gelatin solution, the number of discocytes increased slightly, whereas the third group (sodium chloride) showed no significant change. The number of echinocytes and stomatocytes varied across the groups, with the third group showing minimal improvement. The findings indicated that HEC and gelatin solution improved the ratio of discocytes to pathological forms better than sodium chloride. The most promising plasma-stimulating agents for surgical patients, particularly those with heart disease, are colloids and balanced crystalloid solutions. Their composition closely mimics blood plasma, providing optimal hemodynamic stability and tissue perfusion, thus supporting better postoperative recovery and critical care management.

Optically printed plasmonic fiber tip-assisted SERS-based chemical sensing and single biological cell studies

BackgroundPrecise localized printing of plasmonic nanoparticles at desired locations can find a plethora of applications in diverse areas, including nanophotonics, nanomedicine, and microelectronics. The focused laser beam-assisted optical printing technique has illustrated its potential for the localized printing of differently shaped plasmonic particles. However, the technique is either time-consuming or often requires focused optical radiation, limiting its practical applications. While the optothermal printing technique has recently emerged as a promising technique for the direct and rapid printing of plasmonic nanoparticles onto transparent substrates at lower laser intensities, its potential to print the plasmonic nanoparticles to the core of the optical fiber platforms and utilize it for biological cell trapping as well as an analytical platform remains unexplored. ResultsHerein, we demonstrate the thermal-convection-assisted printing of the Ag plasmonic nanoparticles from the plasmonic colloidal solution onto the core of single-mode optical fiber and its multi-functional applications. The direct printing of plasmonic structure on the fiber core via the thermal-convection mechanism is devoid of the requirement of any additional chemical ligand to the fiber core. Further, we demonstrated the potential of the developed plasmonic fiber probe as a multifunctional surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) platform for sensing, chemical reaction monitoring, and single-cell studies. The developed SERS fiber probe is found to detect crystal violet in an aqueous solution as low as 100 pM, with a plasmonic enhancement of 107. Additionally, the capability of the fiber-tip platform to monitor the surface plasmon-driven chemical reaction of 4-nitrothiophenol (4NTP) dimerizing into p, p’-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) is demonstrated. Further, the versatility of the fiber probe as an effective platform for opto-thermophoretic trapping of single biological cells such as yeast, along with its Raman spectroscopic studies, is also shown here. SignificanceIn this study, we illustrate for the first time the optothermal direct printing of plasmonic nanoparticles onto the core of a single-mode fiber. Further, the study demonstrates that such plasmonic nanoparticle printed fiber tip can act as a multi-functional analytical platform for optothermally trap biological particles as well as monitoring plasmon-driven chemical reactions. In addition, the plasmonic fiber tip can be used as a cost-effective SERS analytical platform and is thus expected to find applications in diverse areas.

Fabrication of metallic titanium nanoparticles through ultrasonication assisted by electric current flow

This study was aimed at characterizing metallic Ti electrodes and nanoparticles fabricated from a titanium chloride/deep eutectic solvent (DES) solution by applying electric current between metallic Ti plates used as the anode and cathode under ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. The cathode was not damaged during the flow of electric current, whereas the anode deteriorated to produce a nanoparticle colloidal solution. The nanoparticle size ranged from 5.3 to 12.2 nm. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the Ti nanoparticle powder exhibited a hexagonal crystal structure without any crystalline Ti oxide. However, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated the presence of O. Furthermore, the metallic Ti nanoparticles were noted to be covered with Ti oxide layers. These layers acted as a physical barrier, protecting the metallic Ti nanoparticles against further oxidation by exposure to water and air.

Environmental analysis of nitrobenzene using newly synthesized anisotropic gold nanostructures: Reaction kinetics and electrocatalytic activity

In this article, we established to produce anisotropic, colloidally stable gold nanostructures (AuNS) by rapidly mixing aqueous solutions of gold(III) chloride trihydrate (HAuCl4) and citric acid (CA) as dual reducing and capping agents at room temperature without the aid of a templating agent. Furthermore, the impact of various anions and shape-directing agents on the morphology and reaction kinetics of citric acid-capped gold nanostructures (CA-AuNS) was investigated. Additionally, the electrocatalytic activity of AuNS towards nitrobenzene (NB) was examined using a CA-AuNS modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The rate of reaction for the formation of CA-AuNS increased rapidly with higher concentrations of CA, indicating a strong dependence on the reductant’s concentration. This process followed first-order kinetics, suggesting that the reaction rate is directly proportional to the citric acid concentration. Consequently, optimizing CA levels can effectively control the synthesis rate and yield of CA-AuNS. The presence of nitrite ions led to rapid aggregation of gold nanostructures (AuNS) and a quick reaction time. Chloride ions increased the size of the AuNS. As bromide ion concentration increased, the reaction time slowed significantly, resulting in spherical gold nanoparticles. Both acetate ions and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) inhibited the growth of AuNS. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images showed the formation of various shapes, including spherical, hexagonal, pentagonal, and boat-like structures. In the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), both complex formation between CTAB and HAuCl4 and the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles occurred. Upon addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to the colloidal solution, the color shifted to pale violet, and the morphology transitioned from anisotropic to irregular. However, when ascorbic acid (AA) was utilized, it proved ideal for maintaining the morphology of gold nanostructures (AuNS). The analysis of X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) further confirmed the synthesized CA-AuNS. The FT-IR spectra of CA before and after the formation of AuNS indicated the participation of carboxylic acid (–COOH) and hydroxyl (–OH) groups in the reduction process of Au3+ metal ions. The GC/CA-AuNS electrode exhibits a larger electroactive surface area due to the coating of AuNS onto the electrode surface, enhancing the electrode’s electrical conductivity by providing additional active sites for electron transfer. In addition, the electrocatalytic activity of NB was investigated in this study. The GC/CA-AuNS electrode had better electrocatalytic activity than the unmodified GC electrode. As a result, with a LOD of 28.2 nM (S/N = 3), this electrode was chosen for sensitive NB determination.

Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized via Microwave Assistance on Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin.

In this study, the optimal microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis parameters for achieving TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area and photocatalytic activity were determined. Titanium isopropoxide was used as a precursor to prepare the sol (colloidal solution) of TiO2. Isopropanol was used as a solvent; acetylacetone was used as a complexation moderator; and nitric acid was used as a catalyst. Four samples of titanium dioxide were synthesized from the prepared colloidal solution in a microwave reactor at a temperature of 150 °C for 30 min and at a temperature of 200 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min. The phase composition of the TiO2 samples was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms were used to determine the specific surface area and pore size distributions using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The band-gap energy values of the TiO2 samples were determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The distribution of Ti and O in the TiO2 samples was determined by SEM-EDS analysis. The effects of adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2 samples were evaluated by the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) as an emerging organic pollutant (EOP) under UV-A light (365 nm). The results of the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were compared to the benchmark Degussa P25 TiO2. Kinetic parameters of adsorption and photocatalysis were determined and analyzed. It was found that crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area, the lowest energy band gap, and the highest photocatalytic degradation were the samples synthesized at 200 °C for 10 min. The results indicate that CIP degradation by all TiO2 samples prepared at 200 °C show a synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation in the removal process.

Wireless flexi-sensor using narrow band quasi colloidal 3D tin telluride (SnTe) for respiratory, environment, and proximity sensing

We developed a wireless and flexible humidity sensor based on three-dimensional (3D) narrow band quasi colloidal (NBQC) tin telluride (SnTe) material. Pristine SnTe granules were exfoliated into a homogeneous quasi colloidal (HQC) solution through mechanical liquid phase exfoliation (MLPE). Resulting HQC solution had a higher surface area with randomly shaped 3D NBQC SnTe particles that increased its humidity sensing ability by rendering more active sites and irregular pathways for interaction with water molecules. Fabrication of SnTe humidity sensor included highly conductive (2.5 μΩ/cm) and precise plasma sputtered gold (Au) inter-digital electrodes (IDEs) using a shadow mask on the flexible substrate followed by coating the thin film of 3D HQC SnTe. The SnTe humidity sensor showed variance in both capacitance and impedance with changing relative humidity (%RH). Impedance response of SnTe humidity sensor was more sensitive compared to its capacitance. We adjusted the operating frequency of our humidity sensor (1, 10, and 100 kHz) to maximize sensitivity, enhance accuracy, and reduce interference. The developed humidity sensor exhibited efficient performance, including a wide operating range (5–92 %RH), high sensitivity (85.6 kΩ/%RH), consistent stability (>48 days), and a fast response/recovery time (1.7/3.2 s). The narrow band gap of SnTe enabled strong interaction with water molecules, leading to a highly sensitive impedance response to %RH. To improve its mobility, portability, and measurability, the SnTe humidity sensor was made wireless for easy integration into a variety of devices. Our 3D NBQC SnTe humidity sensor showed its potential applications in environment monitoring, health monitoring, and proximity sensing.

Development of UV protective and antimicrobial CVC fabric using colloidal zinc oxide solution with carrot and orange peel extract

AbstractChronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause degenerative changes in the cells, fibrous tissues and blood vessels. Moreover, microbiological attacks pose severe risks to human health and are a major cause of sickness worldwide. The aim of this work is to develop UV protective and antimicrobial materials using zinc oxide (ZnO) colloidal solution with carrot and orange peel extract. Treated samples were subjected to color strength (K/S value) measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis, attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) test, bacterial reduction rate analysis and bursting strength measurement. The study revealed that the treated fabric exhibited remarkable UV protection capabilities, as evidenced by low transmission percentages across UV wavelengths and an outstanding UPF rating of 50, signifying excellent defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, antibacterial tests revealed the significant effectiveness of the treatment against common bacterial strains, with impressive reduction rates for Staphylococcus aureus (99.99%) and Escherichia coli (99.17%). Furthermore, the fabric's bursting strength, both in dry and wet conditions, remained nearly unchanged after treatment. ATR‐FTIR analysis and SEM imaging provided insights into the phytochemical compounds that give protection against UV composition (44.63–49.91) and surface morphology of the treated fabric, elucidating the mechanisms behind its enhanced properties. Due to the availability of carrot and orange peel in nature and low cost of raw materials, this process can be considered to apply commercially for further research purposes.Highlights Utilization of carrot and orange peel waste. Successful application of zinc oxide for antibacterial and ultraviolet protective materials. Excellent defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Significant effectiveness against common bacterial strains. Low cost and commercially viable functional materials.

Plasma-solution synthesis of cobalt oxides

The production of nanosized oxide materials is an important practical problem. This is due to the fact that many of these substances are intensively used as catalysts, microelectronic devices, medical applications, etc. Among the various methods for their production, methods based on the use of gas-discharge plasma are the least studied. But these methods, compared to others, have a number of significant advantages. Among them, the main ones are high process rates and the absence of additional reagents. Therefore, in this work the regularities of the processes of formation of insoluble compounds under the action of a direct current discharge of atmospheric pressure in air on aqueous solutions of cobalt (II) nitrate have been studied. The solutions served as the cathode and anode of the discharge. The discharge was excited by applying a high voltage to two pointed titanium electrodes placed above the liquid anode and liquid cathode in the H-shaped cell. The range of discharge currents was (20–80) mA, and the range of concentrations was (20–60) mmol l−1. It was discovered that when a discharge acts on a liquid anode, a colloidal solution is formed in it, the destruction of which leads to the formation of precipitates. Based on measurements of the kinetics of consumption of Co2+ ions (spectrophotometric method) and the power inputted in the discharge, the rates of this process, effective rate constants, as well as the degree of conversion of Co2+ ions and energy yields of conversion were determined. These parameters depended on the discharge current and the initial concentration of the solution. The values of the constants were ∼(0.2–6) × 10−1 s−1, the energy yields were ∼(0.2–0.5) ions per 100 eV, and the degrees of conversion were ∼(0.1–0.5). The resulting powders were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The sizes of the powder aggregates were estimated from the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Scherrer’s relation. It turned out that the resulting precipitates were a mixture of amorphous Co2+ and Co3+ hydroxides. Their calcination in air led, depending on the temperature, to the formation of predominantly cubic either CoO or Co3O4. The size of the aggregates of the calcined samples was ∼500 nm. The specific surface area of the powders, determined by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, was ∼53 m2 g−1. The average pore volume and their size was ∼17 cm3 g−1 and ∼240 Å. The advantages of the proposed method over other methods are high process rates (process time ∼10 min) and the absence of any additional reagents.

Phytochemical Investigation and Characterization of Azadirachta Indica-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles and Their Potential as Antibacterial and Antidiabetic Agents

In this study, we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP’s) by reducing silver ions from a solution of silver nitrate with an aqueous extract from Azadirachta indica. Using silver ions as the catalyst, nanoparticles were formed in 8[Formula: see text]min without the use of toxic chemicals. As evidenced by UV-vis spectroscopy, a broad surface plasmon resonance spectrum at 225[Formula: see text]nm was detected, which indicates the colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles is stable and produces silver nanoparticles. As revealed by the fourier transform-infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis, the flower extract contained a variety of biomolecules that acted as capping and reducing agents for the synthesis of AgNPs. As determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), silver nanoparticles displayed a crystalline structure and ranged in size from 18 to 39[Formula: see text]nm. In addition to these findings, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the silver nanoparticles were spherical and rod-shaped, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). A variety of pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, were tested against AgNP’s antibacterial properties. A significant inhibition zone was observed for Escherichia coli when AgNPs were applied at different concentrations. Silver nanoparticles were shown to have antidiabetic effects through a diphtheria assay with inhibition rates ranging from 31.09% to 83.33% for concentrations of 50–250[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL. As researchers seek natural sources of compounds with potential health benefits, silver nanoparticles were also investigated for their antioxidant properties.

Hydroxyethyl starch-based self-reinforced nanomedicine inhibits both glutathione and thioredoxin antioxidant pathways to boost reactive oxygen species-powered immunotherapy

The adaptive antioxidant systems of tumor cells, predominantly glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (TRX) networks, severely impair photodynamic therapy (PDT) potency and anti-tumor immune responses. Here, a multistage redox homeostasis nanodisruptor (Phy@HES-IR), integrated by hydroxyethyl starch (HES)-new indocyanine green (IR820) conjugates with physcion (Phy), an inhibitor of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), is rationally designed to achieve PDT primed cancer immunotherapy. In this nanodisruptor, Phy effectively depletes intracellular GSH of tumor cells by inhibiting 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) activity. Concurrently, it is observed for the first time that the modified IR820-NH2 molecule not only exerts PDT action but also interferes with TRX antioxidant pathway by inhibiting thioredoxin oxidase (TRXR) activity. The simultaneous weakening of two major antioxidant pathways of tumor cells is favorable to maximize the PDT efficacy induced by HES-IR conjugates. By virtue of the excellent protecting ability of the plasma expander HES, Phy@HES-IR can remain stable in the blood circulation and efficiently enrich in the tumor region. Consequently, PDT and metabolic modulation synergistically induced immunogenic cell death, which not only suppressed primary tumors but also stimulated potent anti-tumor immunity to inhibit the growth of distant tumors in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice.