Encapsulation Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Preparation and evaluation of novel Agriophyllum squarrosum starch nanoparticles for encapsulation of lycopene with enhanced retention rate and bioactivity during simulated in-vitro digestion.

In this study, we developed novel Agriophyllum squarrosum starch nanoparticles (ASSNPs) for the encapsulation of lycopene (LYC), aiming to enhance its stability and bioactivity under adverse environmental and digestive conditions. The small-granule starch extracted from A. squarrosum seeds was processed using ionic liquids (ILs) as an effective "green" solvent, followed by a systematic treatment involving ultrasonication and pullulanase to prepare the ASSNPs. The resulting nanoparticles exhibited small size, narrow particle size distribution, negative zeta potential, and high encapsulation efficiency of up to 64.3 %. The structures of ASSNPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These analytical techniques confirmed the successful encapsulation of LYC and revealed increased intermolecular interactions. Stability and degradation experiments demonstrated that the retention of the LYC in the complexes was significantly higher than that of the unencapsulated LYC, highlighting the superior protective effects of ASSNPs on the storage and digestive stability of LYC. This research elucidated the structural features of the complex between ASSNPs and LYC, underscoring the potential of ASSNPs as a food-grade delivery system. This approach offers a sustainable method for enhancing the bioavailability of hydrophobic nutraceuticals.

Intravitreal Administration of Adalimumab‐Loaded Poly(Lactic‐co‐Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles: Effects on Biodistribution and Pharmacokinetics

Adalimumab, a monoclonal antibody used for treating inflammatory diseases, including eye diseases, faces challenges in biodistribution and targeted delivery. Nanoparticle (NP)‐based drug delivery systems have shown promise in enhancing the pharmacokinetic profiles of biologic drugs. This study aims to develop, and characterize intravitreal adalimumab‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs to improve antibody distribution and therapeutic efficacy. Characterization studies, morphological examination, and quantitative, stability, and physical properties are conducted. In vitro release kinetics are assessed using a dialysis membrane method. In vivo biodistribution is studied in rats after intravitreal administration by Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography imaging. The optimized NPs were spherical (around 300 nm) with a surface charge of about −20 mV. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading reach values close to 100%. Stability studies showed minimal changes in particle size and drug content. In vitro release showed a biphasic pattern with an initial burst release followed by sustained release. Safety studies indicated no significant cytotoxicity or adverse effects. The adalimumab‐loaded PLGA NPs demonstrate favorable physicochemical characteristics, stability, and release profiles. In vivo distribution revealed a change in the antibody's distribution pattern after intravitreal administration via NPs encapsulation. These findings suggest the potential for enhanced therapeutic outcomes and warrant further investigation in disease‐specific models to explore the clinical potential of this NP‐based delivery system.

Navigating the Collective: Nanoparticle-Assisted Identification of Leader Cancer Cells During Migration.

Cancer-related deaths primarily occur due to metastasis, a process involving the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In most solid tumors, metastasis occurs through collective cell migration (CCM), guided by "cellular leaders". These leader cells generate forces through actomyosin-mediated protrusion and contractility. The cytoskeletal mechanisms employed by metastatic cells during the migration process closely resemble the use of the actin cytoskeleton in endocytosis. In our previous work, we revealed that tumor cells exhibiting high metastatic potential (MP) are more adept at encapsulating 100-200 nm nanoparticles than those with lower MP. The objective of this study was to investigate whether nanoparticle encapsulation could effectively differentiate leader tumor cells during their CCM. To achieve our objectives, we employed a two-dimensional CCM model grounded in the wound-healing ("scratch") assay, utilizing two breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, which display low and high migratory potential, respectively. We conducted calibration experiments to identify the "optimal time" at which cells exhibit peak speed during wound closure. Furthermore, we carried out experiments to assess nanoparticle uptake, calculating the colocalization coefficient, and employed phalloidin staining to analyze the anisotropy and orientation of actin filaments. The highest activity for low-MP cells was achieved at 2.6 h during the calibration experiments, whereas high-MP cells were maximally active at 3.9 h, resulting in 8% and 11% reductions in wound area, respectively. We observed a significant difference in encapsulation efficiency between leader and peripheral cells for both high-MP (p < 0.013) and low-MP (p < 0.02) cells. Moreover, leader cells demonstrated a considerably higher anisotropy coefficient (p < 0.029), indicating a more organized, directional structure of actin filaments compared to peripheral cells. Thus, nanoparticle encapsulation offers a groundbreaking approach to identifying the most aggressive and invasive leader cells during the CCM process in breast cancer. Detecting these cells is crucial for developing targeted therapies that can effectively curb metastasis and improve patient outcomes.

Beyond Tradition: A MOF-On-MOF Cascade Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Augmented CO2 Photoreduction.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are rigorously investigated as promising candidates for CO2 capture and conversion. MOF-on-MOF heterostructures integrate bolstered charger carrier separation with the intrinsic advantages of MOF components, exhibiting immense potential to substantially escalate the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR). However, the structural and compositional complexity poses significant challenges to the controllable development of these heterostructures. Herein, a conventional MOF-on-MOF nanocomposite is readily optimized from a type II heterojunction to a state-of-the-art cascade Z-scheme configuration via the encapsulation of Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs), establishing synergistic MOF-MOF and metal-MOF heterojunctions with reinforced built-in electric field. A cascade electron flow is thus propelled, vigorously separating the photogenerated charge carriers and profoundly extending their lifetimes. Collectively, the photocatalytic activity of the cascade Z-scheme is drastically promoted, exhibiting a nearly quintuple enhancement in the CO production rate over the original type II heterostructure. Moreover, the anti-sintering capacity of the developed nanocomposite is unveiled, elucidating its simultaneously improved activity and stability. These findings present unprecedented regulation over the configuration of a MOF-on-MOF heterojunction, substantially enriching the fundamental understanding and rational design strategies of composite materials.

Optimized PLGA encapsulated SA-2 nanosuspension exhibits sustained intraocular pressure reduction in the mouse microbead occlusion model of ocular hypertension.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is implicated in the structural and functional damage to the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Topical IOP lowering agents provide short-term relief, necessitating frequent dosing. Moreover, non-adherence to frequent eyedrops administration contributes significantly to visual field loss and worsens the disease outcome. We optimized the poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles encapsulation of hybrid antioxidant-nitric oxide donor SA-2 (SA-2NP), investigated its bioavailability, duration of IOP lowering efficacy, and effects on retinal function in the microbead model of ocular hypertension (OHT). SA-2 was bioavailable in the anterior and posterior segments after 1, 8, and 24 h post-single topical eyedrop administration. SA-2NP significantly lowered IOP (∼25-34%) and preserved the RGC function after weekly eyedrop administration for 3 weeks in C57BL/6J mice. In conclusion, the optimized SA-2NP formulation demonstrated optimal bioavailability, ocular safety, and prolonged IOP-lowering efficacy in the mouse microbead occlusion model of OHT.

N-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating Co materials with strong magnetic properties generate ˙O2− through activation of hydrogen peroxide to effectively degrade rhodamine B

The encapsulation of metal Co nanoparticles in N-doped carbon was achieved through a facile hydrothermal and pyrolysis technique to isolate the nanocrystalline Co metal, thus preventing their mobilization and aggregation.

Curcumin encapsulation in self-assembled nanoparticles based on amphiphilic stearic acid-grafted inulin: Preparation, characterization, and functional evaluation.

The clinical application of curcumin (CUR) is restricted by its low solubility, instability, and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel stearic acid-grafted inulin-based nano-delivery system for CUR encapsulation. The structure of stearoyl inulin (SA-IN) was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and contact angle measurements. CUR-loaded SA-IN nanoparticles (CUR@SA-IN NPs) demonstrated a high encapsulation efficiency of 91.59 % ± 3.26 %, nanoscale dispersion, and an average particle size of 190.6 ± 11.2 nm. The CUR@SA-IN NPs exhibited excellent stability and sustained-release properties. Compared with free CUR, the minimum inhibitory concentration of CUR@SA-IN NPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus decreased by 1.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively. The antioxidant activity increased by 2.34-fold with CUR@SA-IN NPs compared with free CUR. Also, the NPs showed superior efficacy in suppressing the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. The cellular uptake studies confirmed enhanced CUR absorption from the NPs compared with free CUR. The CUR@SA-IN NPs exhibited good biocompatibility. These findings highlighted the potential of amphiphilic SA-IN as an effective delivery vector for hydrophobic bioactive compounds, thereby offering a promising approach for developing efficient nanoparticle-based delivery systems.

Taylor dispersion analysis and release studies of β-carotene-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and liposomes in simulated gastrointestinal fluids.

β-Carotene (βC), a natural carotenoid, is the most important and effective vitamin A precursor, known also for its antioxidant properties. However, its poor water solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability limit its effectiveness as an orally delivered functional nutrient. Nanoparticle encapsulation improves βC's bioaccessibility by enhancing its stability and solubility. This study compares two formulations, i.e. βC-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs and liposomes before and after exposure to simulated gastrointestinal fluids using various methods such as Taylor dispersion analysis (TDA), cryo-transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). TDA, a microfluidic technique, proved more effective than DLS and NTA in determining nanoparticle size in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. This highlights TDA's potential for assessing nanoparticle colloidal stability in simulated gastro-intestinal fluids, crucial for evaluating encapsulated bioactives' bioavailability. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that PLGA nanoparticles incorporate and preserve βC more effectively during long-term storage compared to liposomes. Adding ascorbic acid significantly reduced degradation in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Release studies showed that liposomes released 52% of βC after 36 hours, while PLGA nanoparticles released only 9% over 168 hours. These results provide valuable insights for selecting an appropriate βC nanocarrier for oral delivery based on desired release rates.

Augmenting the safety and therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline and rifampicin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles against Brucella abortus using murine model

Abstract Background Prolonged therapy, hepatic damage, and the development of drug resistance are the limitations of doxycycline and rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis. This study was designed to assess the effect of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) encapsulation of these antimicrobials against brucella. SLNs were prepared by a double emulsion method and characterized for entrapment efficiency, particle size distribution, drug release, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The encapsulated formulations were tested for stability, safety, and in vitro antimicrobial assay on brucella and brucella-infected mice models. Results The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of doxycycline encapsulated SLN size were 443.6 ± 3.03 nm, 0.858 ± 0.00, and + 26.5 ± 1.87 mV, respectively. The rifampicin SLN showed particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of 348.7 ± 3.35 nm, 0.234 ± 0.00, and + 22.9 ± 1.59 mV. The entrapment efficiency of doxycycline and rifampicin encapsulated SLN was 98% and 96%, respectively. The drug-loaded SLN retained the biophysical properties, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency after storage at 4 °C as well as 25 °C for 6 months. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy depicted effective encapsulation and the Differential scanning colorimetry thermogram revealed a negative interaction of drug and polymer. Drug release parameters were fitted well with the Korsmeyer–Peppas and Hixson–Crowell model (R2 ≥ .09). The MIC findings showed a reduction in MIC values of SLN-encapsulated rifampicin; whereas, doxycycline did not show any changes. The MBC value for free and SLN-encapsulated doxycycline and rifampicin did not show changes. SLN encapsulation did not show any cytotoxicity on murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.76 for both drugs. Doxycycline and rifampicin significantly reduced the CFU of B. abortus compared to the free drug (P &gt; 0.05), resulting in less damage to the liver and kidneys. Conclusions The present study concludes that SLN encapsulation of doxycycline and rifampicin would be safe and effective for the prolonged treatment regimen against Brucella infection. Graphical abstract

Advances in Dendritic Systems and Dendronized Nanoparticles: Paradigm Shifts in Cancer Targeted Therapy and Diagnostics.

Cancer has emerged as a global health crisis, claiming millions of lives annually. Dendrimers and dendronized nanoparticles, a novel class of nanoscale molecules with highly branched three-dimensional macromolecular structures, have gained significant attention in cancer treatment and diagnosis due to their unique properties. These dendritic macromolecules offer a precisely controlled branching architecture, enabling functionalization with specific targeting molecules to enhance the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. Through surface modifications and the incorporation of various components, dendrimers demonstrate remarkable adaptability as nanocarriers for biomedical imaging and theranostic applications. Surface functionalization strategies, including PEGylation and ligand attachment (e.g., folic acid, RGD peptide, lactobionic acid), further enhance biocompatibility and facilitate targeted tumor cell imaging. Leveraging their improved biocompatibility and target specificity, dendritic nanosystems offer heightened sensitivity and precision in cancer diagnostics. Notably, the encapsulation of metal nanoparticles within dendrimers, such as gold nanoparticles, has shown promise in enhancing tumor imaging capabilities. Ongoing advancements in nanotechnology are poised to increase the sophistication and complexity of dendrimer-based systems, highlighting their potential as nanocarriers in drug delivery platforms, with a growing number of clinical trials on the horizon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the potential and future prospects of dendrimers and dendrimer-based nanocarriers in targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis, exploring their ability to enhance biocompatibility, reduce toxicity, and improve therapeutic outcomes across various malignancies.

Fabrication and Encapsulation of Soy Peptide Nanoparticles Using Ultrasound Followed by Spray Drying.

Peptide aggregation inevitably occurs during hydrolysis, and insoluble peptide aggregates (ISPA) are used as feed for animals due to their poor water solubility and unpleasant bitter flavor. Ultrasound was used to fabricate soy peptide nanoparticles by reassembling ISPA, followed by spray-drying encapsulation to develop low-bitterness peptide microcapsules with soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) and stevioside (STE) as wall materials. Powder properties, bitter taste, and the morphology of the microcapsules were evaluated. The formation of soluble peptide nanoparticles (<200 nm) was observed after ultrasound due to the reassembly of ISPA through the disruption of non-covalent intermolecular interactions. A gradual reduction in bitter taste was observed with increasing ultrasonic time. Moreover, spray-drying encapsulation with STE could effectively improve the flowability and wettability of the microcapsule powder owing to the rapid migration of surface-active STE to the atomized droplet surface, as evidenced by the lower angle of repose and wettability time. Peptide microcapsules with STE (spherical particles with smooth surfaces) exhibited lower density and reduced bitterness because STE (0-0.1%, w/w) exhibited an excellent bitter-masking effect. With high STE concentrations (>0.5%, w/w), microcapsules exhibited a higher bitter taste than unencapsulated peptides due to the increased surface distribution of STE on the microcapsules. These results provide an effective technique to improve the physicochemical properties of ISPA.

Developing bio-carbon matrices for the encapsulation of silicon nanoparticles for high-performance lithium-ion battery anode materials.

Silicon (Si) is considered to be one of the most promising anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries because of its abundant reserves, low discharge potential, and most importantly, its high theoretical specific capacity. However, the practical application of Si-based anodes is mainly hindered by the low intrinsic conductivity of Si and the large volume change upon lithiation/de-lithiation. In order to improve the electrochemical performance of Si-based anodes, we prepared a composite material consisting of Si nanoparticles (NPs) and coconut silk bio-carbon (CSC) skeleton. The porous carbon skeleton derived from coconut silk with natural through-holes and ample micropores on the wall, which was used as the carrier of Si NPs. The continuous through-holes and well-distributed oxygen-containing functional groups of the CSC provided sufficient space and abundant adsorption active sites for Si NPs, what's more, the good dispersion of Si NPs in the through-holes increased their contact with the surrounding carbon materials, which was conducive to electron transport. Meanwhile, the pore structure also provided buffer space for the volume expansion of Si. The rich oxygen-containing functional groups can form a certain chemical force with silicon particles, and further stabilize the nano silicon particles. Hence, the CSC/Si electrode revealed an excellent capacity retention of 82.8 % at 1 A g-1 after 100 cycles. This study provides a simple universal high-throughput method to obtain anode materials with outstanding electrochemical properties and promotes the further development of Si/C composites.

A Review on Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Biocide, Problems of Administration, and Improved Delivery Techniques

The incorporation of nanoparticles is trending in a wide range of applications for its antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial properties, potency, and risk of ZnO nanoparticle have been assessed and justified for its efficacy in different applications. However, there is an existing gap between lab scale and on-site usage due to colloidal stability of the nanoparticles. Despite exhibiting antimicrobial properties under controlled laboratory condition, sensitivity of nanoparticles to ambient condition might reduce or negate its potency under different administered conditions. It is envisaged that encapsulation of zinc oxide nanoparticle shall improve its stability and enhance its performance as biocide. This review paper delves into the attack mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles against different bacteria, fungus, and viruses. In addition, dissolution properties and colloidal stability of nanoparticles, flaws with direct administration of nanoparticles in solid particles form and the current trend in delivery of ZnO nanoparticles were discussed to emphasize the importance of material preservation for performance maximization.

A Thin Polymer Layer Enables Peptide-Polycation Complexes with Ultrahigh Efficient Encapsulation.

A monolayer encapsulation is a new opportunity for engineering a system with high drug loading, but immobilizing polymer molecules on the surface of individual peptide nanoparticles is still an ongoing challenge. Herein, an individual peptide nanoparticle encapsulation strategy is proposed via surface adsorption, in which peptide molecules undergo granulation and subsequently aggregate with polymer molecules, forming a network via electrostatic interactions. Under the water phase, surplus polymer molecules dissolve, leading to a single nanoparticle encapsulation with a core-shell structure. As expected, the dense interfacial layer on the peptide nanoparticle surface achieves a superior loading degree of up to 95.4%. What's more, once the core-shell structure is established, the peptide mass fraction in individual encapsulation always exceeds 90% even under fierce external force. Following the individual nanoparticle encapsulation, the insulin-polycation complex (InsNp@PEI) reduces the inflammation from polymer and displays an effective glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. Overall, the newly developed single surface decoration encapsulates peptides with ultrahigh efficiency and opens up the possibility for further encapsulation.

Effect of porous structure on Ni-CaO bifunctional catalysts for the integrated CO2 capture and methanation process

Integrated CO2 capture and in-situ methanation technology (ICCU-M) is a promising approach for directly capturing and simultaneously converting CO2 into CH4 in a single process. The bifunctional catalyst that combines CO2 adsorption and catalytic properties into one particle is an ideal choice for ICCU-M process. In this work, we demonstrate that pore structure of bifunctional catalysts plays a pivotal role in their ICCU-M performance. The characterization results indicate that the presence of porosity weakens the encapsulation of Ni nanoparticles by the formed CaCO3 layer due to the volume expansion caused by the larger molar volume of CaCO3 compared to CaO (36.1 cm3/mol vs 16.9 cm3/mol). The ICCU-M performance shows that 5Ni-CaO-C1:1 has a lower CH4 formation temperature of 325 °C than 425 °C of 5Ni-CaO-w due to its abundant pores retaining more Ni sites, thus providing higher methanation activity. Meanwhile, 5Ni-CaO-C1:1 also exhibits higher CH4 selectivity than 5Ni-CaO-w (93.5 % vs 40 %) at 525 °C. Our results show that the volume expansion process of bifunctional catalysts has a significant impact on ICCU-M performance, which needs to be considered when designing efficient bifunctional catalysts for ICCU processes.

UV radiation enhanced encapsulation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) in microparticles derived from tumor repopulating cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as microparticles secreted by the cells can be manipulated and used for delivering therapeutic drugs to target and eradicate cancer cells. However, high encapsulation efficiency and mass production of the microparticles remain difficult to achieve. Efficient and targeted delivery to cancer cells is another hurdle to be addressed. To overcome these issues, we integrated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with microparticles. First of all, exposure of highly aggressive tumor-repopulating cells (TRC) to UV radiation dramatically improved microparticle production. These TRC cells were selected from diverse cancer cell lines that are 3D culturing in soft fibrin gel. These microparticles derived from 3D-cultured TRCs have lower membrane stiffness than 2D-cultured cells. Ferrozine assay showed that endocytosis and encapsulation of MNPs during microparticle production were higher in 3D-cultured TRC cells than in 2D cultured cells. Packaging of MNPs into microparticles also enhanced cellular uptake of MNPs without inducing cytotoxicity to treated cells. Compared to the naked MNPs, ex vivo fluorescence imaging shows that mice tail-vein injected with microparticle-encapsulated MNPs displayed continuous increments of intratumoral accumulation of MNPs. Furthermore, MRI images revealed a higher T2 contrast and an uneven distribution of the T2 contrast in the tumor of mice tail-vein injected with microparticle-encapsulated MNPs than naked MNPs. This study provides a new platform for cancer imaging by integrating MNPs and microparticles derived from tumor-repopulating cells.

TADF‐Emitting Nanoparticles for Application as Probes in Time‐Resolved Imaging and 1O2 Photosensitizers

AbstractOrganic Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) molecules are luminescent compounds capable of harvesting energy from triplet states without using heavy metals. This process results in oxygen‐sensitive, long‐lived delayed emission, suitable for developing optical probes for time‐gated cell imaging, oxygen sensors, and singlet oxygen photosensitizers. Despite their potential, the use of TADF emitters in these applications is hindered by poor performance in polar media and the challenge of balancing high photoluminescence quantum yields, long emission lifetimes, and high triplet formation quantum yields. In this study, novel TADF emitters are developed based on 1,8‐naphthalimide (NI) dyes, and how encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles can enhance their performance in aqueous media is demonstrated. The resulting nanomaterials exhibit high delayed‐to‐prompt emission ratios, long delayed fluorescence lifetimes, and exceptional applicability in time‐resolved imaging. The singlet oxygen photosensitization capabilities of the TADF nanomaterials in the photodegradation of phenol, exploring a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) system that improved the efficiency, are also assessed. These findings highlight the promising potential of TADF nanomaterials for diverse applications, including photodegradation of pollutants, cellular imaging, and biosensing.

A General Approach for Metal Nanoparticle Encapsulation Within Porous Oxides.

Encapsulation of metal nanoparticles within oxide materials has been shown as an effective strategy to improve activity, selectivity, and stability in several catalytic applications. Several approaches have been proposed to encapsulate nanoparticles, such as forming core-shell structures, growing ordered structures (zeolites or metal-organic frameworks) on nanoparticles, or directly depositing support materials on nanoparticles. Here, a general nanocasting method is demonstrated that can produce diverse encapsulated metal@oxide structures with different compositions (Pt, Pd, Rh) and multiple types of oxides (Al2O3, Al2O3-CeO2, ZrO2, ZnZrOx, In2O3, Mn2O3, TiO2) while controlling the size and dispersion of nanoparticles and the porous structure of the oxide. Metal@polymer structures are first prepared, and then the oxide precursor is infiltrated into such structures and the resulting material is calcined to form the metal@oxide structures. Most Pt@oxides catalysts show similar catalytic activity, demonstrating the availability of surface Pt sites in the encapsulated structures. However, the Pt@Mn2O3 sample showed much higher CO oxidation activity, while also being stable under aging conditions. This work demonstrated a robust nanocasting method to synthesize metal@oxide structures, which can be utilized in catalysis to finely tune metal-oxide interfaces.

DBD plasma induced SMOSI and encapsulation for regulation of Brønsted-Lewis acid sites of Cr-MOFs@ZrO2

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma for the synthesis of Zr-MOFs followed by the calcination and combination with Cr-MOFs was presented to prepare a Brønsted-Lewis bifunctional catalyst for the conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The strong electric field on the catalyst surface formed by DBD plasma induced the enhancement of strong metal oxide support interaction (SMOSI), which could be indicated by XPS. SMOSI could change the embedding degree of metal micro-particles. SMOSI accompanied with the encapsulation of Zr metal nanoparticles could regulate the acid sites of the catalysts. Lewis acid played an important role in the isomerization of glucose to fructose, while Brønsted acid played a key role in the further conversion of glucose. The strong Brønsted acid sites determined the conversion of glucose to HMF. Cr-MOFs@ZrO2-D with the DBD plasma method afforded a higher Brønsted to Lewis acid ratio, compared with Cr-MOFs@ZrO2-S with the hydrothermal method. Glucose conversion of 97.9 % and HMF yield of 38 % were obtained with DMF solvent system and Cr-MOFs@ZrO2-D at 150 °C for 2h. This research provided a new method for preparing Zr-MOFs by DBD plasma and a new idea to comprehensively understand the role of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites in glucose conversion.

SnO2 Encapsulated in Alginate Matrix: Evaluation and Optimization of Bioinspired Nanoadsorbents for Azo Dye Removal.

Synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate potential capacity to adsorb toxic azo Congo red dye. The formation of rutile phase SnO2 NPs was confirmed using Powder X-ray diffraction and spherical morphology was corroborated through SEM imaging. TEM analysis confirms average particle size of SnO2 NPs is nearly 3 nm. High azo dye removal efficiency is attributed to large surface area and presence of oxygen vacancies which were substantiated through BET and XPS analysis, respectively. To mitigate the leaching of NPs in treated water, NPs are encapsulated in sodium alginate (SA) matrix, which is proposed as an environmentally friendly, biocompatible, and economic solution. This study specifically focuses on investigating the parameters for the encapsulation of NPs within a sodium alginate matrix using CaCl2 as cross-linker. This work investigates the effect of physical shape of encapsulation, effect of SA and cross-linker (CaCl2) concentration on the feasibility of NP encapsulation and overall adsorption efficiency. Experimental results indicated that the physical form of encapsulation, such as spherical, wire-like, or irregular shape maintained consistent adsorption efficiency, which indicates its versatility. For effective encapsulation of NPs and adsorption, SA and CaCl2 concentration are suggested to be within the range of 0.2-0.3 g and >0.5 M, respectively.