Abstract This research investigates the behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) micro composites as an electrical insulator under elevated temperature and electrical stress. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) microparticles were incorporated into the PVC matrix. ZnO fillers can improve the thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and electrical resistance of PVC insulation materials. However, it is important to understand how these composites withstand long-term deterioration in harsh environments. Various ZnO concentrations (5-30%) were used to fabricate micro composites. The samples were subjected to an accelerated aging process to simulate real-world conditions. For 200 hours, the aging process used a high voltage of 4 kV DC and a temperature of 65°C. The samples were analyzed using different analytical techniques to understand how degradation affects various material properties. Visual inspection was employed for any noticeable changes in color and texture. Optical microscopy (OM) is used to detect signs of damage or filler diffusion. Swedish Transmission Research Institute (STRI) Hydrophobicity and Contact Angle Measurements are also employed to check the water-repellency of the samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to see functional group changes and analyze the behavior, particularly the carbonyl group (C=O) at 1719 cm -1 , which is associated with oxidation and is a significant indicator of degradation. Leakage Current Measurement techniques were also used. UV-visible spectroscopy is employed for the investigation of optical properties and possible degradation-related changes. The 15% ZnO micro composite (PZ-15) exhibited exceptional corrosion resistance. Leakage current tests show significant changes after the aging process. PZ 15 has the best hydrophobicity characteristics, the highest contact angle, and better water resistance. The degree of oxidation is determined by examining the carbonyl peak (C=O) at 1719 cm -1 . It showed a less pronounced peak than the other compounds, indicating a lower level of oxidation. These findings are consistent with previous research showing that ZnO fillers improve the resistance of PVC to different stresses, particularly at higher concentrations. The study emphasizes the importance of optimizing filler materials to improve thermal and electrical stability in their intended applications by combining data from various analytical techniques.

The rise of drug-resistant microbes has made antimicrobial therapy increasingly challenging, and despite several reports on peptide-functionalized silver nanoparticles, their efficacy against Mycobacterium species remains largely unexplored. In this study, we synthesized short peptide functionalized silver nanoparticles to develop an effective antimycobacterial agent, where peptides acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents for the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The developed nanoparticles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). The positively charged peptide-capped silver nanoparticles exhibited significant antimycobacterial activity against acid-fast mycobacterial strains, including Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium marinum, compared to peptides alone, which could be due to the integrated effect of the peptide-functionalized AgNPs. Among the synthesized nanoparticles, linear peptide 2 (LP 2) functionalized AgNP exhibited the highest antimycobacterial efficacy against the Mycobacterium strains, with the lowest MIC (5 μM). AgNP LP 2 was found to be efficient to penetrate the mycobacterial cell wall, inducing membranolytic activity, triggering oxidative stress and degrading DNA, which led to the death of mycobacterial cells. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the peptides with key enzyme FadD32 (MsmFadD32), Mycobacterium smegmatis, demonstrated strong interactions near the active site cleft, indicating potential inhibition of the mycolic acid biosynthesis pathway by the LP 2 peptide. This disruption likely challenges the organism's pathogenicity and supports the peptides' role in contributing to membranolytic activity. Additionally, AgNP LP 2 demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation and effectively disrupt preformed mycobacterial biofilms while exhibiting negligible cytotoxicity toward human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. In summary, our results suggest that newly developed AgNPs exhibit antimycobacterial activity without compromising the cell viability of normal cells, making them highly potent as prospective antimycobacterial agents.

In this research, a family of Zirconium-based metal-organic framework, derivatives of UiO-66 (UiO-66-NO2 và UiO-66-NH2), was synthesized and applied to adsorption of antibiotic contaminants in aqueous solution. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption abilities of the materials were investigated toward Tetracycline as a representative for antibiotics. Adsorption capacities of TC on UiO-66-NO2, and UiO-66-NH2 were 46.08, and 33.90 mg/g, respectively. The pH significantly affected the TC adsorption of the materials. The kinetics of adsorption of TC on the materials were investigated, which were excellently fitted with pseudo-second-order. In addition, the recycle test exhibited that the adsorption ability was almost unchanged for four adsorption times. The results of the research were well discussed and explained.

This study aimed to develop a pH-responsive polymeric hydrogel for the controlled delivery of cytarabine for the treatment of acute leukemia. The polymeric hydrogel was synthesized via free radical polymerization using pluronic acid F127, PEG-800, and agarose as a polymer, and crosslinked via methylene bis acrylamide. The optimized formulation (PPA12) was investigated for cytarabine loading (%), thermal analysis, compatibility of formulation ingredients, swelling trend, morphology, release kinetics, and toxicity in rabbits. Cytarabine loading increased with increase in ratio of polymer, monomer, and pH. The developed hydrogels exhibited excellent swelling behavior at pH 7.4. Cytarabine release occurred in a controlled fashion over a time period of 24h. Based on the regression coefficient (R2), the best-fit model was of the zero order. Structural entanglement was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies, which confirmed the formation of a hydrogel blend. Toxicity studies have revealed no signs of ocular, oral, or dermal toxicity, thereby ensuring safety and biocompatibility. Therefore, these findings strongly suggest that the developed and optimized polymeric hydrogel (PPA12) is biocompatible, capable of delivering cytarabine at a particular pH, and can be a carrier of choice for targeted drug delivery.

The sensitive and selective detection of hydrazine (HAZ) is crucial due to its high toxicity and widespread environmental impact. This work reports a green synthesis of spindle-shaped Fe2O3@ZnO core-shell nanoparticles using walnut shells as a sustainable biomass precursor via a combined wet impregnation-calcination approach. The core-shell architecture was fabricated through wet impregnation of pre-formed Fe2O3 cores followed by calcination and thoroughly characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) mapping, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical studies revealed that Fe2O3@ZnO exhibits superior activity for hydrazine oxidation, attributed to synergistic core-shell interactions that enhance electron transfer and increase the active site density. The resulting sensor demonstrates excellent performance, featuring a wide linear range (0.02-68 µM), a low detection limit (14 nM), high sensitivity (3.54 µA µM-1), and notable selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. These findings underscore the potential of biomass-derived core-shell nanomaterials for advanced electrochemical sensing.

Introduction: Food additives are commonly used to improve the taste, color, shelf life and texture of products. Although most of them are approved for use after safety assessments, there are still concerns regarding their impact on health, including mental functioning. The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze the presence of selected chemical substances in chosen food products and to discuss the hypothetical mechanisms of their effects on mental health. Material and methods: Fifteen food products were analyzed. The presence of chemical substances was determined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), a technique that enables the identification of compounds based on their characteristic absorption spectra. Results: The analysis revealed the presence of typical technological additives as well as trace chemical compounds, some of which may theoretically influence mental health, for example by altering perception, modulating glycemia or affecting memory and mood. FTIR was used as a screening method, which does not allow for definitive or quantitative identification of trace, atypical or controversial compounds. The obtained spectra may reflect both actual components and signals originating from the matrix, packaging, or library matching. Reports concerning some potentially harmful substances do not confirm their actual presence and require verification using confirmatory analytical methods. Conclusions: The results should therefore be interpreted with caution and further research is necessary.

The use of plant extracts in green synthesis has opened avenues for the development of nanoparticles with unique biological properties. This study focuses on the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Ambrosia artemisiifolia (AA) leaf extract and evaluates their effectiveness in biomedical applications and catalysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies are used to characterize the developed NPs. Following initial characterization, biophysical techniques are used to confirm the DNA and protein binding ability of the developed nanoparticles. The results of UV-metric titration and fluorescence spectroscopic titration confirm the binding efficacy of the developed nanoparticles to DNA and protein, respectively. The anticancer activity of AA-AuNPs against HeLa cancer cells is evaluated using the MTT assay, alongside HEK-293 normal cells, demonstrating promising therapeutic potential with minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Concurrently, the developed nanoparticles exhibited effective phenoxazinone mimicking activity. Furthermore, these nanoparticles exhibit a remarkable ability to degrade toxic dyes, achieving over 90% degradation within an 80 min time frame. These dual functionalities position AA-AuNPs as viable candidates for both biomedical and environmental remediation applications.

Nowadays, many individuals utilize the 5G network, which can give detrimental effects due to electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI may harm not only high-tech electronic devices but also human health. In this study, the porous carbon was synthesized from palm kernel shell (PKS) via hydrothermal treatment at varying temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C, and 200 °C) followed by carbonization, and comprehensively characterized to understand its structural, chemical, and electromagnetic properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed broad (002) and (100) peaks across all samples, indicating amorphous graphitic carbon with limited crystallinity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of O–H, C–H, and C=C functional group. As the synthesis temperature increased, aromatic and graphitic characteristics became more pronounced, with 180 °C exhibiting a significant rise in C–H peak intensity. This suggests that 180 °C is an optimal carbonization temperature, promoting the formation or preservation of stable aliphatic structures without excessive degradation. Surface area analysis using the BET method showed that the sample treated at 180 °C exhibited the highest surface area (547.4 m²/g), suggesting optimal porosity formation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported this finding, showing a fragmented and open morphology at 180 °C, in contrast to denser, spherical agglomerates observed at 200 °C. Due to its characteristics, the 180 °C sample was selected for electromagnetic characterization. S-parameter measurements at X-band frequency for epoxy composites filled with porous carbon revealed that increasing filler content led to reduced transmission coefficient, indicating enhanced electromagnetic wave attenuation. These improvements are attributed to increased dielectric losses and interfacial polarization facilitated by the highly porous carbon network. In conclusion, the study highlights the significance of hydrothermal synthesis temperature in tuning the structure and electromagnetic performance of biomass-derived porous carbon.

Quality control of entomopathogenic nematodes through infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR, 2D-COS): Tracing, modelling and prediction.

Development and characterization of dual-functional polymeric hydrogels: A Sustainable approach for drug delivery and antimicrobial applications.

Highly efficient N-doped carbon dots for ultrasensitive and selective detection of picric acid in explosive residues.

Therapeutic potential and chemical profile of Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre leaf extract: In vitro wound healing, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities.

A high throughput assay to detect enzymatic polyethylene oxidation.

Interface-engineered rice starch/shellac composites with hierarchical roughness for sustainable oil-water management and food-contact applications.

A novel plasmonic sensor for the detection of palladium based on facile in situ formation of silver nanoparticles in morin-formaldehyde/polyvinyl alcohol film.

Effect of composition and processing method on physicochemical, structural, and rheological characteristics of milk and pea proteins hybrid gels.

In the present study, potato starch (PS) was functionalized with theaflavin (TF). Potato starch aldehyde (DPS)–theaflavin (DPS-TF) conjugates were prepared by conjugating TF with DPS. The synthesized DPS-TF conjugates were characterized via UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and tested for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The UV–vis spectrum results demonstrated that DPS-TF conjugates exhibited the characteristic absorption peaks of theaflavin at 280 nm, which can be attributed to the benzotropolone structure present in theaflavin. The absorbance values of the peaks progressively intensified as the concentration of grafted theaflavins increased. FTIR confirmed the depletion of the aldehyde groups and the presence of TF-specific vibrations in the conjugates in DPS-TF. 1H-NMR demonstrated that the conjugation occurred between the H-6, H-8, H-6′, and H-8′ positions of theaflavin and the aldehyde groups of starch aldehyde. XRD demonstrated that the DPS-TF conjugates were in the amorphous state. SEM observation demonstrated that DPS-TF exhibited a mixed morphology of flakes and lumps, which differed from that of native starch and starch aldehyde. The scavenging activity of DPS-TF against DPPH and ABTS radicals was significantly higher than that of DPS (p < 0.05), with the antioxidant activity increasing in line with the concentration of theaflavins. In comparison with PS and DPS, DPS-TF conjugates demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, an elevated grafting ratio corresponds to a heightened level of these functional properties. This study highlights the promise of the starch aldehyde–theaflavin conjugates for use as a viable antioxidant and antimicrobial agent for food applications.

Effect of combined application with glycolic acid and pyridoxal 5-phosphate on the long-term durability of dentin bonding.

Elucidating toxicity mechanisms of hexabromocyclododecane in marine microalga Chlorella salina: An integrated biomacromolecular and transcriptomic analysis.

Sustainable extraction of chitosan from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) by green solvents.