Particle Size Diameter Research Articles

HILIC-DAD Method for Simultaneous Determination of Acid and Basic Drugs: Application to the Quantitation of Ibuprofen, Atenolol, and Salbutamol in Urine After Solid-Phase Extraction

A simple method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of ibuprofen (acid drug), and salbutamol and atenolol (basic drugs) in urine samples at concentrations of 0.40 µg·mL−1. Simultaneous chromatographic separation has been possible using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (Kinetex HILIC® column (2.1 mm × 150 mm, 2.6 μm particle size diameter and 100 Å pore size) combined with gradient elution by employing a mixture of acetonitrile–acetate buffer 5 mM at pH 6 (from 95:5 to 75:25 (v/v)) as the mobile phase. Detection was performed at 227 and 275 nm. The simultaneous preconcentration and cleaning of the sample has been possible by solid-phase extraction using the HLB ExtraBond® polymeric-type sorbent (which is a pyrrolidone-modified divinylbenzene polystyrene type). It has provided recoveries between (63 ± 9)% for salbutamol, (74 ± 8)% for ibuprofen, and (96 ± 9)% for atenolol in 10 mL of synthetic urine containing 4.0 μg of each of the drugs analyzed. The detection limits were 0.025 µg·mL−1 for ibuprofen, µg·mL−1 for salbutamol, and 0.007 µg·mL−1 for atenolol. The detection limits obtained allow the evaluation of the free forms of ibuprofen, atenolol, and salbutamol at the excreted concentration levels at the therapeutic doses usually administered. The coefficients of variation between days were in the range 4.5–10.9%.

Highly Fluorescent Bio-Synthesized Carbon Quantum Dots for Latent Fingerprint Detection.

This study introduces an innovative approach to high-resolution latent fingerprint detection using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) biosynthesized from spent coffee grounds, enhanced with nitrogen doping. Conventional fingerprinting methods frequently use hazardous chemicals and are costly, highlighting the need for eco-friendly, affordable alternatives that preserve detection quality. The biosynthesized nitrogen-doped CQDs exhibit strong photoluminescence and high stability, offering a sustainable, effective alternative for fingerprint imaging. Using a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method, nitrogen-doped CQDs were developed, displaying intense cyan fluorescence under UV light at 365nm. The quantum yield was measured to be 19.73%. Characterization through UV-Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and TEM confirmed the morphology, surface properties, optical properties and stability. The average particle size diameter was calculated to be around 8.71 ± 0.14nm. These CQDs were tested on various non-porous surfaces including marble, glass, aluminium, and metal where they provided detailed visualization of fingerprint ridge patterns, sweat pores, and minutiae with high fluorescence. Notably, the CQDs demonstrated excellent adherence and sustained fluorescence, maintaining photostability for up to 60 days under dark storage conditions at 2-8°C. This sustainable synthesis method thus produces nitrogen-doped CQDs with robust fluorescent properties, establishing a promising, eco-friendly solution for high-resolution latent fingerprint detection in forensic investigations.

Electrodeposition of Nanostructured Metals on n-Silicon and Insights into Rhodium Deposition.

In this study, we investigate the electrodeposition of various metals on silicon. Mn, Co, Ni, Ru, Pd, Rh, and Pt were identified as promising candidates for controlled electrodeposition onto silicon. Electrochemical evaluations employing cyclic voltammetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) associated with energy-dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) techniques confirmed the deposition of Pd, Rh, and Pt as nanoparticles. Multi-cycle charge-controlled depositions were subsequently performed to evaluate the possibility of achieving tunable electrodeposition of nanostructured rhodium on n-doped silicon. The procedure increased surface coverage from 9% to 84%, with the average particle size diameter ranging from 57 nm to 168 nm, and with an equivalent thickness of the deposits up to 43.9 nm, varying the number of charge-controlled deposition cycles. The electrodeposition of rhodium on silicon presents numerous opportunities across various scientific and technological domains, driving innovation and enhancing the performance of devices and materials used in catalysis, electronics, solar cells, fuel cells, and sensing.

Numerical optimization of cold gas dynamic spray process parameters through response surface methodology

ABSTRACT Copper-Zinc and its alloys are extensively used for the corrosion protection of the metal substrate surfaces like steel. Cold gas dynamic spraying (CGDS) is a material coating technique in which metal particles directly adhere to the substrate surface at a relatively low temperature. Numerical simulation (CFD) is a better alternative to understanding CGDS as compared to experimental data due to less expenditure and less energy consumption in CFD. Optimisation of CGDS can be done either by varying the process parameters or by improving the design of the de-Laval nozzle. In this study, the Response Surface Methodology (Central Composite Design) was used to optimise cold spray deposition efficiency by using a 2-D axisymmetric model by varying the process parameters such as carrier gas temperature, stand-off distance, and particle size. Various models were used to predict the critical velocity and erosion velocity. All the process parameters under consideration were found significant in analysing the model by ANOVA. Copper-Zinc Alloy (C93200) particle size is varied from 2.96 µm to 87.04 µm and carrier gas temperature is varied from 287.78K to 708.22K. With the increase in carrier gas temperature and particle size diameter, critical velocity decreases resulting in improved deposition efficiency.

Ameliorated delivery of Amphotericin B to Macrophages using Chondroitin Sulfate Surface-Modified Liposome Nanoparticles

Background The neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis has significant adverse effects from current treatments and limited therapeutic options are currently available. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a surface-modified nano-liposomal drug delivery system, anchored with chondroitin sulfate (CS), to effectively transport Amphotericin B (AmB) to macrophages. Methods Conventional liposome formulations (CL-F) and CS-coated surface-modified liposome formulations (CS-SML-F) were formulated by the thin film hydration method and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential and entrapment efficiency with long-term stability. In-vitro drug release using simulation medium, deformability index (DI) by using a polycarbonate membrane, and cell uptake studies among murine macrophages via flow cytometry were analyzed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the surface morphology and shape of the particles. Results Optimized conventional liposome CL-F6, CL-F9 and surface-modified liposomes CS-SML-F6 and CS-SML-F9 exhibited particle size diameters around 280 nm with a PDI of approximately 0.3 over six months of storage at 5 °C, maintaining stable surface charge (circa -30 mV). Sustained drug release peaked between 4 and 12 hours and surface morphology showed a uniform distribution of spherical liposome particles. Cell uptake measured by flow cytometry showed the highest rate of macrophage targeting by the CS-SML-Fs. Conclusion These findings have demonstrated that CS surface-modification has enhanced nanoparticle targeting to macrophage binding sites, particularly the cysteine-rich domain, potentially advancing macrophage-targeted drug delivery systems.

Developing energy-efficient cool roof coatings using microencapsulated eutectic phase-change material and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) copolymer shell emulsion

ABSTRACT The rise in the construction of modern structures of buildings has increased the demand for energy sources to cool indoor and outdoor temperatures. Cool coating is a highly effective roofing technology for absorbing less heat and reflecting more sunlight than conventional coating. These coatings are made from a special type of material with high solar reflectance, allowing them to reflect more sunlight. The cool coating is applied over the building roofs, which gives an efficient way to cool the building inside passively and the surrounding environment. In this context, incorporating phase-change material (PCM) into cool coating enhances its capacity for regulating temperature by storing and releasing heat as required. Combining these two would improve the coating’s overall cooling capabilities, increasing its efficacy in maintaining a lower surface temperature and lowering the cooling energy consumption in buildings. There is a lack of research studies incorporating PCM into a cool roof coating. The present work fills this gap. In this study, we have developed an easy-to-maintain thermal storage cool roof coating using microencapsulated phase-change material (MPCM) latex and white cement. This coating integrates a cooling effect, making it ideal for building applications. Lauric acid (LA), palmitic acid (PA), and stearic acid (SA) eutectic PCM as core were microencapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid (PMMA-co-MAA) shell using oil-in-water emulsion polymerization. The microcapsule was prepared by altering the core-to-shell ratio. The microcapsules were characterized using various techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarized optical microscopy (POM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The melting temperature of LA-PA-SA eutectic PCM, MPCM 1, and MPCM 2 was 32.66°C, 31.47°C, and 32.73°C, respectively. The TGA analysis indicates that the prepared microcapsules have good thermal stability and degrade in two steps. Microcapsules’ average particle size diameter was observed in the 3–9 µm range. The cool roof coating was fabricated by partially replacing the acrylic copolymer latex with prepared MPCM 1 latex. This study evaluates the influence of MPCM 1 latex loading on the coating’s mechanical and thermal properties. The temperature changes from the building’s exterior to the interior have been recorded using thermal energy transfer analysis. General coating properties such as water resistance, stain resistance, alkali resistance, and gloss were investigated. DSC result shows that the thermal storage enthalpy of the coating has been improved from 17.85 J/g to 37.45 J/g by partially replacing MPCM 1 latex with acrylic copolymer from 50 to 70 wt.%. Coating with 70 wt.% MPCM 1 latex reduced the rise in the room’s temperature, showing it to be a promising candidate for utilizing thermal energy within building technologies.

Alumina Crucibles from Free Dispersant Suspensions: A Useful Labware to form Advanced Powders for Radiation Dosimetry

Background: Powder technology provides conditions to control particle-particle interactions that drive the formation of final-component/material, which also includes the crystalline structure, microstructure and features. Alumina (Al2O3) is the most studied ceramic based material due to its useful properties, disposal, competitive price, and wide technological applicability. This work aims to produce alumina crucibles with controlled size and shape from free dispensant suspensions. These crucibles will be used as containers for the synthesis of new materials for radiation dosimetry. Methods: The Al2O3 powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, PCS, and EPR. The stability of alumina particles in aqueous solvent was evaluated by zeta potential determination as a function of pH. Alumina suspensions with 30 vol% were shaped by slip casting in plaster molds, followed by sintering at 1600oC for 2 h in an air atmosphere. Alumina based crucibles were characterized by SEM and XRD. Results: ɑ-Al2O3 powders exhibited a mean particle diameter size (d50) of 983nm. Besides, the stability of particles in aqueous solvent was achieved at a range of pH from 2.0-6.0, and from 8.5-11.0. EPR spectra revealed two resonance peaks P1 and P2, with g-values of 2.0004 and 2.0022, respectively. The as-sintered ɑ-alumina based crucibles presented uniform shape and controlled size with no apparent defects. In addition, the final microstructure driven by solid-state sintering revealed a dense surface and uniform distribution of grains. Conclusion: The ɑ-Al2O3 crucibles obtained by slip casting of free dispensant alumina suspensions, followed by sintering, exhibited mechanical strength, and controlled shape and size. These crucibles will be useful labwares for the synthesis of new materials for radiation dosimetry.

Formulation, Optimization, and Evaluation of Solid-lipid Formulation for Bioavailability Enhancement Utilizing Diltiazem Hydrochloride

Background: Cardiac arrhythmia is a health concern, requiring effective medication for proper treatment. Diltiazem hydrochloride (DTZ.HCL), a class IV anti-arrhythmic calcium channel blocker, was used as a model drug due to its ability to block Ca++ channels in the SA and AV nodes, reducing calcium entry into cardiac cells and subsequently decreasing the force of contraction and oxygen consumption by the heart. Despite its good oral absorption, DTZ.HCL bioavailability is reduced to approximately 40% due to extensive first-pass metabolism. A nano-enabled drug delivery system has the advantage of incorporating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs with improved physical stability and enhanced bioavailability. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a solid-lipid formulation utilizing diltiazem hydrochloride and evaluate it for its bioavailability enhancement. Method: In the experimental study, SLNs were prepared using the microemulsion technique. A blend ratio (1:1) of lipid (stearic acid: compritol 888 ATO), span 80, PEG 200, and water was selected based on the microemulsion region obtained from the Triplot (4.1) ternary phase diagram. The hydrophilic drug diltiazem hydrochloride was incorporated into the lipid blend, and a preheated Smix was maintained at 80°C to obtain a transparent microemulsion, which then crystallized to form SLNs upon subsequent dispersion in cold water (1:25). Critical process parameters, including magnetic stirring speed, homogenizer speed, and probe sonication cycle, were optimized using Design Expert 10 software to achieve the desired particle size diameter, PDI, and entrapment efficiency. Results: The results revealed that the particle size and PDI were significantly influenced by the span 80 and PEG 200. An increase in the concentration of the lipid blend resulted in large particle sizes. The optimized formulation showed a particle size of 415.4±0.2 nm, PDI of 0.184±0.01, and zeta potential of -24.19±0.12 mV. These results were corroborated by DSC thermograms, which indicated reduced enthalpy associated with the reduced particle size of SLNs. Given that diltiazem hydrochloride is a hydrophilic drug with high water solubility, the entrapment efficiency was relatively 30.6% ±0.45. In vitro release studies demonstrated an initial burst release, followed by a sustained release of 85% over 24 hours. The optimized SLNs followed the Higuchi matrix model, with a coefficient of correlation (R²) value of 0.9369. Conclusion: Results concluded successful development of SLNs with improved bioavailability when compared by way of in-vitro method with marketed preparations.

Copper-Based Metal–Organic Framework: Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation for the Hydrogenation of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol

AbstractA novel Cu-MOF was synthesized at room temperature from commercially available and inexpensive reagents. The pre-catalyst was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The Cu-MOF was characterized as microporous material with BET surface area and pore volume of 7.47 m2/g and 0.27 cm3/g, respectively, and is stable in most solvents. The MOF was evaluated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (FA). Cu-MOF exhibited a high conversion of FF (76%) with selectivity towards FA (100%) at 140 °C, 50 bar for 24 h. The MOF was reused four consecutive times with a loss in catalytic performance. The decrease in catalytic activity could be attributed to the formation of inactive Cu(0) as revealed by HR-TEM and XPS studies. The HR-TEM of spent Cu-MOF showed a uniform particle size diameter of 3.5 nm. This work is significant in providing new strategies for the design and fabrication of highly selective MOF catalysts for the FF upgrading.

Numerical analysis of gas-solid flow erosion in different geometries as alternatives to a standard pipe elbow

This study was conducted with the aim of replacing different geometric fittings instead of the standard 90° elbow and trying to change the flow pattern to reduce erosion damage. Among fittings, the elbows are at a more serious risk. Numerical investigation of the present erosion with the novelty of research on non-spherical particles and changes in the impact angle of particles along with fluid flow using eight new proposed fittings, including two miter fittings, three blinded fittings, one reducer elbow fitting, and two spherical elbows fittings in comparison with the standard 90° elbow was controlled. The numerical simulation of the gas-solid two-phase flow of non-spherical particles was studied using the Euler-Lagrange approach. To carry out the study numerical, first, the gas flow was modeled by the Navier-Stokes equations and the turbulent Reynolds stress model, and then the solid particles were injected using Newton's equation. Finally, the erosion was calculated using Grant and Tabakoff model of the restitution of particles of after hitting the wall and the erosion model of Oka. The amount of erosion caused by changes in the flow pattern was investigated to evaluate the performance of the new proposed fittings. Numerical results for the most critical mode (Vin = 27 m/s and DP = 300 μm) showed that the new proposed fittings increase the erosion resistance by 22.5 % to 39.6 % compared to the standard 90° elbow. Also, in this research, the effect of different parameters including flow velocity, particle diameter size, particle input rate, and particle rotation on erosion were investigated.

Electrophoretic mobility of nanoparticle aggregates: Independence from aggregate size

The zeta potential is a widely used parameter to categorize particle-particle interaction and aggregation. This parameter is often determined by the measurement of electrophoretic mobility. For single particles, various approximations allow a direct correlation between the mobility and the zeta potential. However, for aggregates, which are often found in the environment and in industrial applications, such approximations are less utilized. The relation between the size of aggregates and the resulting electrophoretic mobility has not yet been extensively explored and is often not considered. Here, we control the aggregate size additive-free of two fumed silica types with different primary particle diameters for comprehensive electrophoretic and dynamic light scattering measurements. We evaluate the influence of primary particle diameter and aggregate size on electrophoretic mobility. Our results reveal that the primary particle diameter is the defining factor for the electrophoretic mobility of the aggregates. This finding provides new insights into the electrokinetic behavior of aggregates and emphasizes the importance of primary particle properties in predicting colloidal interactions.

Rheological properties of gangue-filled slurry based on L-pipe experiments

ABSTRACT The examination of rheological properties of gangue slurry is a crucial precondition for the application of gangue slurry in pipeline transportation. This study focused on the investigation of the rheological properties and hydraulic gradient of gangue slurry in a mining region located in northern Shaanxi. By employing the L-pipe test method, the research examined the impact of gangue particle size, slurry concentration, and conveying pipe diameter on the aforementioned characteristics. The findings indicated a positive correlation between the hydraulic gradient of the mine gangue slurry and the concentration of the slurry, whereas a negative correlation existed between the hydraulic gradient and both the particle size and pipe diameter. Additionally, the slurry flow rate was negatively connected with both the slurry concentration and particle size. The concentration of gangue-filled slurry had a positive correlation with both the shear stress and viscosity, whereas the particle size demonstrated a negative correlation with both properties. The optimal slurry concentration for conveying is between 70% and 75%. Furthermore, the ideal slurry particle size ratio is either 10:0 or 9:1, and the recommended pipe diameter is 125mm. The research findings offer theoretical support for the judicious selection of transport parameters when conveying gangue slurry.

Pedotransfer functions development for modeling FC and PWP using Vis-NIR spectra combined with PLSR and regression models

The utilization of the soil pedotransfer functions (PTFs) developed based on the basic soil propertied is an alternative, fast, cost-effective and applicable approach for the prediction of field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP). In addition, the Visible–Near-Infrared (Vis-NIR) spectra in soil science has gained prominence due to its practicality and relevance. In this paper, we used the data of the soil PWP and FC of 135 soil samples, easily measurable soil properties and Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The multiple linear regression (MLR) model was utilized to formulate PTFs model and Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with MLR and partial least-squares (PLSR) was used to develop Spectrotransfer Function (STF). Results showed that among the easily measurable soil properties, particle-size diameter (dg) with Beta of −0.72 and −0.63 the most influential parameters for predicting FC and PWP, respectively, followed by the clay content. Developed PTFs for both FC and PWP with a R2 of 0.71 and 0.68, respectively, had a better performance than other previous developed PTFs. Results also revealed that the PLSR with a higher R2 (0.81) and lower RMSE (4 %) significantly performed better in comparison to STF for both FC and PWP prediction.

Chrysin-loaded PEGylated liposomes protect against alloxan-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats: the interplay between endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy

BackgroundDiabetic neuropathy (DN) is recognized as a significant complication arising from diabetes mellitus (DM). Pathogenesis of DN is accelerated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which inhibits autophagy and contributes to disease progression. Autophagy is a highly conserved mechanism crucial in mitigating cell death induced by ER stress. Chrysin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, can be found abundantly in honey, propolis, and various plant extracts. Despite possessing advantageous attributes such as being an antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anticancer agent, chrysin exhibits limited bioavailability. The current study aimed to produce a more bioavailable form of chrysin and discover how administering chrysin could alter the neuropathy induced by Alloxan in male rats.MethodsChrysin was formulated using PEGylated liposomes to boost its bioavailability and formulation. Chrysin PEGylated liposomes (Chr-PLs) were characterized for particle size diameter, zeta potential, polydispersity index, transmission electron microscopy, and in vitro drug release. Rats were divided into four groups: control, Alloxan, metformin, and Chr-PLs. In order to determine Chr- PLs’ antidiabetic activity and, by extension, its capacity to ameliorate DN, several experiments were carried out. These included measuring acetylcholinesterase, fasting blood glucose, insulin, genes dependent on autophagy or stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, and histopathological analysis.ResultsAccording to the results, the prepared Chr-PLs exhibited an average particle size of approximately 134 nm. They displayed even distribution of particle sizes. The maximum entrapment efficiency of 90.48 ± 7.75% was achieved. Chr-PLs effectively decreased blood glucose levels by 67.7% and elevated serum acetylcholinesterase levels by 40% compared to diabetic rats. Additionally, Chr-PLs suppressed the expression of ER stress-related genes (ATF-6, CHOP, XBP-1, BiP, JNK, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR by 33%, 39.5%, 32.2%, 44.4%, 40.4%, 39.2%, 39%, and 35.9%, respectively). They also upregulated the miR-301a-5p expression levels by 513% and downregulated miR-301a-5p expression levels by 65%. They also boosted the expression of autophagic markers (AMPK, ULK1, Beclin 1, and LC3-II by 90.3%, 181%, 109%, and 78%, respectively) in the sciatic nerve. The histopathological analysis also showed that Chr-PLs inhibited sciatic nerve degeneration.ConclusionThe findings suggest that Chr-PLs may be helpful in the protection against DN via regulation of ER stress and autophagy.Graphical

Catalytic effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles from Lupinus Albus extract on green synthesis and photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue: kinetics and mechanism

Green synthesis of nanomaterials is advancing due to their ease of synthesis, cheapness, nontoxicity, and renewability. An environmentally friendly biogenic method has been developed for the green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) using phytochemical-rich bioextract. They are rich in bioextract phenolics, flavonoids, and berberine. These phytochemicals successfully reduce and stabilize NiNO3 into NiO NPs. In this study, NiO NPs were synthesized by the green synthesis method from Lupinus Albus. Characterization of NiO NPs was carried out by TEM, XRD, SEM, UV, XRF, BET, and EDX analyses. According to XRD analysis, TEM results also support this, where the NiO NPs particle size diameter is 5 nm. It was determined by the Tauc equation that the band energy gap of NiO NPs is 1.69 eV. It was determined that the BET surface area of NiO NPs was 49.6 m2/g. NiO nanoparticles synthesized from Lupinus Albus extract by the green synthesis method were used as catalysts in the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue with NaBH4. In the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue with NaBH4, it was determined that there was no color change in 48 h without a catalyst, and in the presence of NiO nanoparticle catalyst, methylene blue was reduced by 97% in 8 min. The kinetics of the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue with NaBH4 is a pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the kinetic rate constant is determined as 0.66 min−1, indicating that the catalytic effect of NiO NPs is very high at this value. NiO NPs were used five times in the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue with NaBH4 and it was determined that the reduction of methylene blue was over 90% in each use.

Micron-Sized Thiol-Functional Polysilsesquioxane Microspheres with Open and Interconnected Macropores: Effects of the System Composition on the Porous Structure and Particle Size of the Microspheres.

Control of the porous structure and particle size is essential for improving the properties of polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) microspheres. Herein, using the strategy combining inverse suspension polymerization, two-step sol-gel- and polymerization-induced phase separation processes, micron-sized thiol-containing macroporous PSQ (TMPSQ) microspheres with controllable morphologies, adjustable particle diameters (4.9-17.3 μm), and pore sizes (40-3774 nm) were prepared. The morphology and size of the TMPSQ microspheres were characterized by SEM. The mercury intrusion method was employed to analyze the porous structure of the microspheres. The effects of the composition of the sol-gel disperse phase, the mass ratio of the sol-gel disperse phase to the oil continuous phase (WRW/O), and the Span 80 mass content in the oil continuous phase on the morphology, particle diameter and pore size of the TMPSQ microspheres were investigated. Results indicated that the composition of the sol-gel disperse phase determines the morphology and porous structure of the microspheres, and WRW/O and Span 80 content have remarkable impacts on the morphology and particle size of the microspheres. This study is beneficial to the design and fabrication of functional PSQ microspheres with desired properties and promising application prospects.

A comprehensive combustion, performance, and environmental analyses of algae biofuel, hydrogen gas, and nano-sized particles (liquid-gas-solid mix) in agricultural CRDI engines

The present research encompasses the utilization of TiO2 nano particles with enrichment of H2 (10 lpm) with Chlorella Emersonii Methyl Ester (CEME) on an agricultural-based CRDI engine. CEME20 (20% chlorella emersonii methyl ester blended with 80% mineral diesel) is employed for the tests. The nanoparticle concentration is limited to 50 ppm which has been considered according to O2 concentration in biodiesel. Experimentation revealed that, with hydrogen gas and TiO2 nanoparticles, the BTE and BSFC were improved significantly. At full load conditions, BTE is enlarged by 7.3%. In addition, there is a simultaneous decrease in HC and CO emissions (by about 36.3 and 40.9% respectively) for algal biofuel blends, while NOx emissions increased by 27.3% with respect to mineral diesel. 5.1% and 6.5% increase in combustion characteristics (79.8 bar combustion pressure and 89.2 J/°CA heat release rate)were observed for the CEME/H2/TiO2 blend which could be attributed to effective combustion of hydrogen and catalytic combustion activity provided by TiO2 nano additives. CEME/H2/TiO2blend recorded maximum Mass Fraction burnt (MFB) (74.7%) as well as lowered PSD (Particle size Diameter) profile (34.8 nm @ 0.29 E+08 dN/dlogDp (#/cm3)) at full engine load condition indicating the presence of H2 and nano additives which has influence over the combustion.

Polyether sulfone flat-sheet membrane impregnated with Mn-Al layered double hydroxide nanoparticles for green microfiltration of acrylamide in cocoa products.

A new polyether sulfone (PES) membrane modified with manganese-aluminum layered double hydroxide (Mn-Al LDH) was prepared and utilized in the membrane micro-solid phase extraction (M-µSPE) of acrylamide for the first time. The analyses were conducted using HPLC-UV. The extraction efficiency of the PES membrane was enhanced two-fold with the addition of LDH. The fabricated LDH@PES was characterized using ATR-FTIR, SEM, XRD, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The specific surface area, average pore diameter, thickness, cross-sectional channels, and LDH particle size of the LDH@PES membrane were determined. The extraction key factors including membrane composition, desorption conditions, sample pH, and salt concentration were studied. The method was validated by determining the limit of detection, the limit of quantification, linear range, r2, matrix effect, enrichment factor, and precision. Extraction recoveries ranged from 87.4 to 103.5% with RSD < 5.9%. Finally, the method's green features were assessed with the AGREE protocol. This is the first report on the application of LDH@PES for microfiltration/extraction of acrylamide in various chocolate and cocoa products.

Green synthesis of bimetallic AgZnO nanoparticles: Synergistic anticancer effects through regulation of gene expression for lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer is the foremost diagnosed cancer in men and the second most common cancer worldwide, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. In the current study, AgZnO bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) with average size of 11 nm were successfully synthesized using Salvia officinalis (SO) extract. The as-synthesized AgZnO NPs were characterized by several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The distribution of AgZnO nanoparticle curve was ranged from 10 to 20 nm, and the average particle diameter size was approximately 15.6 ± 4.3 nm with zeta potential value of −31.1 ± 5.2 mV. Also, the EDX technique revealed that the weight percentage for Zn, O, and Ag was 5.9 %, 3.6 %, and 90.5 %, respectively. The cytotoxicity of AgZnO NPs was assessed against A549 lung cancer cells and human non-tumorigenic lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells. The as-synthesized AgZnO NPs showed biocompatibility with heathy cells, while they showed high cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells. In addition, AgZnO NPs demonstrated higher cytotoxicity compared to AgNPs synthesized by SO extract, indicating the synergistic effect between Ag and ZnO in the structure of bimetallic nanoparticle. The percentage of apoptosis and necrosis for SO extract was 11.6 % (3.69 % early apoptosis and 8.07 % late apoptosis) and 2.79 %, respectively. On the other hand, the apoptosis and necrosis percentage for AgZnO NPs was 29.74 % (5.04 % early apoptosis and 24.7 % late apoptosis) and 9.09 %, respectively. The high cytotoxicity effect was found through apoptosis, owing to upregulation of proapoptotic genes (caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, P21, and BAX) and downregulation of antiapoptotic and migration genes (BCL2, cyclin E, cyclin D1, MMP-2, and MMP-9) in A549 cells. In addition, the A549 cells treated with AgZnO NPs illustrated lower migration ability compared to those treated with S. officinalis extract, indicating the role of AgZnO NP in cytotoxicity. Also, arrested cells during sub-G1 phase increased significantly after treatment with AgZnO NPs compared to SO extract (p < 0.05) (17.8 % for SO extract and 38 % for AgZnO NPs). The results of this study prove the enhanced anticancer effect of AgZnO NPs due to the synergistic effect between Ag and ZnO against the A549 lung cancer cells, which could be further investigated for cancer treatment application.

Prediction of gas–solid erosion wear of bionic surfaces based on machine learning and unimodal intelligent optimization algorithm

Solid particle erosion wear is an inevitable phenomenon in industrial production, with erosion removal mass serving as a crucial metric for assessing the wear rate per unit area on the impacted surface. Developing predictive models to estimate the degree of mass removal is crucial for effectively controlling, evaluating, and preventing severe damage resulting from solid particle erosion wear. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive dataset comprising smooth and bionic surfaces, encompassing inner, outer, and planar surfaces. The dataset was used in a multifactorial erosion experiment, considering adjustable erosion angles, solid particle incident gas velocities, and solid particle diameter sizes. Through visualization and analysis of the obtained dataset, we identified optimal scenarios for bionic surface erosion resistance, offering insights for structural design against bionic erosion resistance. Furthermore, we compared machine learning algorithms to address the prediction problem, resulting in the selection of the best-performing regression algorithm, SVR (Support Vector Regression). Additionally, we compared the performance of other advanced intelligent optimization algorithms using unimodal benchmark functions, finding that HHO (Harris Hawks Optimization) emerged as the optimal choice for unimodal optimization. Building on HHO, we developed the IHHO (Improved Harris Hawks Optimization)-SVR model, using experimental data from erosion tests as the training dataset. This model can predict gas–solid two-phase flow erosion patterns, encompassing various wall types, solid particle sizes, solid incident gas velocities, and impact angles. Due to its robustness and rapid prediction capabilities, the model is expected to serve as a cost-effective tool for predicting erosion removal mass in gas–solid two-phase flow scenarios.