Effects of photoaged polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics on the extracellular aggregation and intracellular accumulation of ZnO nanoparticles to algae.

Chitosan nanocomposite films with metal nanoparticles: Synthesis, antimicrobial mechanisms and applications in sustainable packaging.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye using transition metals of Mn/Co/Ni–ZnO nanoparticles under visible light radiation with structural, optical and antibacterial properties

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of novel bimetallic selenium/zinc oxide nanoparticles: Kinetic study and membrane leakage reaction mechanism determination.

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated infections present major challenges in oral healthcare, necessitating sustainable nanomaterials with multifunctional efficacy. This study reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Pergularia daemia (P. daemia) fibre (PDF) extracts and evaluates their structural, thermal, and biological properties for dental and biomedical applications. ZnO NPs were synthesised using aqueous PDF extracts as natural reducing and stabilising agents. Structural crystallinity was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), functional groups by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Antibacterial performance against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus mutans was assessed via agar well diffusion, while antibiofilm efficacy was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). XRD confirmed a semi-crystalline ZnO phase with a crystallite size of 28.6 nm and a crystallinity index of 21%. FTIR revealed hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxylate groups contributing to nanoparticle stabilisation. SEM micrographs showed irregular, porous, and agglomerated morphologies spanning nanometre to submicron scales. TGA indicated multi-step degradation with a stable residual fraction of ∼14% at 670 °C. Antibacterial assays demonstrated strong inhibition zones (27 mm, 32 mm at 75 µg; 31 mm, 41 mm at 100 µg), comparable to streptomycin (34 mm and 43 mm). CLSM confirmed significant antibiofilm activity through membrane disruption and reduced bacterial viability. The enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm performance of PDF-derived ZnO NPs arises from synergistic effects of nanoparticle cores, reactive oxygen species generation, and phytochemical surface functionalization. Their stability and bioactivity underscore their promise as sustainable nanomaterials. PDF-mediated ZnO NPs show potential for dental applications, including caries prevention, root canal disinfection, and biofilm-resistant coatings for restorative and implant materials. Their multifunctional profile further supports broader biomedical use in antimicrobial therapy, drug delivery, and composite engineering.

Synergistic enhancement of photocatalytic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Dopant-induced structural modulation and enhanced photosensing response in Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by co-precipitation

The antimicrobial applications of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by pomegranate peel extract

Bionanocomposite films constituted by chitosan and ZnO nanoparticles stabilized by tea polyphenols for mango preservation

Magnetic properties of rare earth doped ZnO nanoparticles: A comprehensive study via Magnetization and EPR

Green synthesised antimicrobial ZnO nanoparticles for UV-blocking and catalytic applications

Synergistic antifungal action of chitosan‑zinc oxide nanocomposite against sclerotial-forming phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotium rolfsii.

Enhanced yellow-green photoluminescence at the interface of ZnO nanoparticles and multiple catechol-functionalized polycyclosiloxane nanofilms driven by selective UV light irradiation

Surface modification of the ZnO nanoparticles with putrescine and study of their structural properties and antioxidant activity

Extracts of medicinal plants contain a set of specific compounds that can ensure the formation of metal nanoparticles and at the same time provide them with useful properties for effective use in various fields of biotechnology, in particular in agricultural production. The main goal of this work was to synthesize and study the electrokinetic potential and structural properties of green synthesis products - silver, gold, zinc oxide, and iron oxide nanoparticles, depending on the composition of the plant material used and the synthesis conditions. 18 samples of metal nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous and alcoholic extracts of medicinal plants: eucalyptus (Eucalyptus viminalis Labill), aloe (Aloe arborescens Mill and Aloe vera L.), peppermint (Mentha?piperita L.), plantain (Plantago major L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), nettle (dioecious Urtica dioica L.), willow-herb (Chamerion angustifolium L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), and an aqueous tannin solution. All samples were characterized by the content of polyphenolic compounds. The nanoparticles were studied by microelectrophoresis, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the obtained values of the electrokinetic potential, the sample synthesized using an aqueous extract of willow-herb tea proved to be the most stable among the obtained ZnO nanoparticles. Among the FexOy NPs, the most stable were nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extracts of hibiscus and plantain. The most stable Au nanoparticles were the samples synthesized using tannin and an alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. As for silver nanoparticles, tannin, an alcoholic extract of eucalyptus, and an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens contributed to the formation of the most stable nanoparticles. These samples of Ag, Au, FexOy, and ZnO nanoparticles are the most promising for their further practical application, in particular in agroecology and crop production to combat phytopathogens and ensure soil health.

In recent years, agriculture has undergone transformative innovations to enhance crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional value. With increasing concerns over food security, environmental degradation, and soil health, there is growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. Among these strategies, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as promising solutions. Advances in nanobiotechnology have led to the development of various metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver (Ag NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and quantum dots (QDs). These nanomaterials have the potential to enhance plant biomass and crop yield in both laboratory and field settings. PGPR have gained attention for their ability to improve crop productivity through mechanisms such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore and phytohormone production, and the induction of systemic resistance. The synergistic use of nanotechnology and PGPR represents a revolutionary platform for sustainable agriculture. This integrated approach offers practical solutions to critical agricultural challenges such as low productivity, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability. This review highlights how the combination of synergistic utilization of nanotechnology and PGPR can be developed as a winning strategy for sustainable agriculture to solve the current challenges of food security, soil degradation, and environmental sustainability.

Pure and silver-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized via phyto-mediation using Stachytarpheta jamaicensis leaf extract to develop an eco-friendly method for synthesizing nanoparticles with enhanced properties. Zinc nitrate and silver nitrate were employed as precursors for ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles, respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to investigate their optical and morphological properties. Results revealed that the absorption peaks of the synthesized nanoparticles confirmed the formation of nanoparticles, with Ag doping causing a red shift in the absorption spectrum. SEM images indicated a spherical morphology, with slight agglomeration in the doped samples. Doping with silver enhanced the optical properties, which could have potential applications in catalysis, sensing, and biomedical fields. Furthermore, the nanoparticle extracts were subjected to antimicrobial test against two bacterial strains ( Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus ) using a modified disk diffusion method and compared with the antibacterial effect with the standard antibacterial drug, Ampicillin. Ampicillin only showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and had no antibacterial effect on E. Coli. Result of this study showed that the 5% and 10% Ag-doped ZnO NPs showed strong antibacterial activity against both gram-positive ( S. aureus ) and gram-negative ( E. coli ) bacterial strains.

Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Promising Adjuvant to Albendazole in the Management of Hydatid Cyst Disease: Molecular and Biochemical Insights.

The development of intelligent nanocarriers capable of overcoming the intrinsic limitations of conventional pesticides, including poor foliar adhesion, photodegradation, and nonspecific release, remains a major challenge in agrochemical science. Herein, we report a multifunctional core-shell nanocarrier (Pro@ZnO@PDA, denoted as PZP NPs) constructed via interfacial engineering, in which prochloraz-loaded ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are encapsulated within a polydopamine (PDA) shell. The rough surface of the ZnO core enables a high pesticide loading capacity of 12%, while the PDA shell markedly enhances leaf adhesion, reducing the contact angle on plant leaves by 25.4%, thereby improving foliar retention. Benefiting from acid-sensitive interfacial dissociation between the PDA shell and ZnO core, the nanocarrier exhibits pH-responsive release behavior, achieving a targeted prochloraz release of 76% under acidic conditions (pH 5.4). In addition, the ZnO core effectively shields the active ingredient from ultraviolet irradiation, resulting in a 23.3-fold enhancement in photostability, whereas the PDA shell provides efficient photothermal conversion, inducing an elevation of temperature up to 38.8 °C under light exposure. The integration of controlled chemical release and photothermal effects gives rise to a synergistic antifungal mechanism, maintaining an inhibition rate exceeding 60% after 7 days of irradiation. Notably, PZP NPs exhibit bidirectional translocation within plants, addressing the limited systemic transport of conventional fungicides. This work demonstrates an interfacial-engineered, stimulus-responsive nanoplatform that offers a promising strategy for intelligent and efficient pesticide delivery.

Quantum-sized SnO2 nanoparticles have emerged as a promising electron transport layer (ETL) in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) due to their high chemical stability, wide bandgap, and high electron mobility. However, their excessive electron mobility often leads to charge transport imbalance, thereby limiting the device performance. Herein, we report a p-type doping strategy using Mg2+ ions to modulate the electron transport capability of SnO2 nanocrystals. By varying Mg-doping concentration, we achieve a wide-range tuning of electron mobility and conductivity over nearly 3 orders of magnitude. This suppression of electron transport enables the balanced charge injection in inverted QLEDs. As a result, red-emitting devices incorporating 2.0% Mg-doped SnO2 ETLs exhibit an average external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 19.35% and a peak EQE of 22.04%. This work demonstrates Mg-doped SnO2 nanoparticles as a superior alternative to ZnO nanoparticles for highly efficient and stable QLEDs.