ZnO Nanoparticles Research Articles

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from Semialarium mexicanum for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B dyes

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from Semialarium mexicanum for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B dyes

ZnO doped PAMAM for asphalt improvement as anti-corrosive coatings.

Asphalt is widely used as a coating resin due to its excellent adhesion strength and cost-effectiveness; however, its limited corrosion protection necessitates enhancement. In this study, poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), combined with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, was incorporated into the asphalt matrix to improve its anticorrosive properties. Various ratios of PAMAM-ZnO nanocomposite (1, 2, 4, and 6% by weight) were added to the asphalt binder, with the materials characterized using XRD, ¹H-NMR, and SEM techniques. The 2% PAMAM-ZnO/asphalt ratio exhibited the most significant improvement, achieving a corrosion protection efficiency (η%) of 97.93%, as confirmed by Tafel analysis, and a charge transport resistance (RCT) of 75.91 Ω cm² according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data. A combination of barrier formation and sacrificial protection drives the corrosion inhibition mechanism. The PAMAM-ZnO nanocomposite forms a highly uniform layer on the carbon steel surface, creating an effective physical barrier that prevents the penetration of corrosive agents, thereby minimizing defects like pinholes. This barrier effect is complemented by the sacrificial protection provided by the ZnO nanoparticles, which are more reactive than the underlying steel and preferentially interact with corrosive ions (e.g., chloride ions). This interaction leads to the formation of stable ZnO corrosion products, which enhance the barrier and reduce the likelihood of corrosion on the steel surface. Additionally, PAMAM facilitates the even distribution and strong adhesion of ZnO within the asphalt matrix, ensuring a durable protective layer. The synergic impact between the polymer barrier and sacrificial ZnO protection results in the exceptional corrosion resistance observed in the 2% PAMAM-ZnO/asphalt formulation, offering a promising approach for advanced anticorrosive coatings.

Biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles mitigate acrylamide-induced immune toxicity and modulate immune-related genes and microRNA in rats.

This study evaluated the potential efficacy of eco-friendly biofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (GS-ZnONP) (10mg/kg b.wt) to reduce the impacts of long-term oral acrylamide (ALD) exposure (20mg/kg b.wt) on the blood cells, immune components, splenic oxidative status, and expression of CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8, TNF-α, caspase-3, microRNA-181a-5p, and microRNA-125-5p in rats in a 60-day experiment. The study findings revealed that GS-ZnONP significantly corrected the ALD-induced hematological alterations. Additionally, the ALD-induced increase in the serum C3, splenic ROS, CD4, CD8, and MDA and histological alterations were significantly repressed in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated rats. Instead, the depleted splenic antioxidants and Zn contents were markedly reestablished in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated group. Additionally, a significant upregulation of expression of splenic CD3, CD4, CD8,CD20, TNF-α, and caspase-3, but downregulation of microRNA-181a-5p and microRNA-125-5p was detected in the ALD-exposed group. Yet, the former deviations in the gene expressions were corrected in the ALD + GS-ZnONP-treated rats. Furthermore, GS-ZnONP treatment significantly minimized the increased caspase-3 and TNF-α immunoexpression in the splenic tissues of ALD-exposed rats. Conclusively, the study findings proved the efficacy of GS-ZnONP in rescuing ALD-induced disturbances in blood cell populations, immune function, splenic antioxidant status, and immune-related gene expression.

Fabrication of novel PVA loaded ZnO nanoparticles for anti-renal failure.

X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the structural, surface and particles properties of a series of zinc oxides (ZnO) doped with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that were prepared using the sol-gel method. The results demonstrated that the crystallinity of the catalysts decreased as the PVA content increased beyond 5 PVA/ZnO. However, on raising the calcination temperature up to 500°C, the average crystal size of the PVA/ZnO nanoparticles increased. Next Pyridine adsorption was used to measure the surface acidity of the catalysts, and the results showed that doping ZnO with PVA and raising the calcination temperature to 500°C increased the catalyst's surface acidity. Furthermore, the data indicates that raising the ratio of the Brønsted to Lewis acid sites enhanced the catalytic activity for the synthesis of coumarin derivatives. We concluded that the structural and acidity characteristics of the catalysts under study had a significant impact on the catalytic activity. Furthermore, a study examining the biological activity of ZnO/PVA and pure ZnO revealed that 5PVA/ZnO performed the best in terms of improving the kidney functions of diabetic rats.

One-step Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticle synthesis for textile azo dye sorption and antibacterial activity

One-step Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticle synthesis for textile azo dye sorption and antibacterial activity

Physicochemical investigation on eco-sustainable food packaging: valorisation of Moringa fibre and rice bran with embedded ZnO nanoparticles

Physicochemical investigation on eco-sustainable food packaging: valorisation of Moringa fibre and rice bran with embedded ZnO nanoparticles

Retraction of “Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and biological potentials of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the polar extract of Cyperus scariosus R.Br. (Cyperaceae)”

Retraction of “Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and biological potentials of biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the polar extract of <i>Cyperus scariosus</i> R.Br. (Cyperaceae)”

Formulation and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential and Embryotoxicity of Betanin-Zinc Nanoparticles

Introduction: This study explores the green synthesis of betanin-based ZnO nanoparticles, with emphasis on their characterization, antimicrobial potential, and toxicity evaluation. Materials and methods: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were produced using betanin isolated from Beta vulgaris, zinc hexahydrate, and 0.5M NaOH. To verify their structural and morphological characteristics, the produced betanin zinc oxide nanoparticles (BT-ZnO NPs) were examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans were among the bacterial strains against which the antibacterial activity of these green-synthesised BT-ZnO NPs was assessed. Concurrently, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were subjected to different amounts (10, 50, and 100 µg/mL) in order to perform embryotoxicity experiments. Results: SEM analysis showed that BT-ZnO NPs are irregularly shaped with a tendency to aggregate, which may enhance surface area. FTIR confirmed functional groups like phenols and amines, aiding nanoparticle stability. XRD indicated a composition of 52.5% crystalline and 47.5% amorphous content, supporting structural stability and bioactivity. Anti-microbial potential of BT-ZnO NPs shows notable inhibition at higher concentrations. In contrast, Candida albicans exhibited resistance to the nanoparticles. Embryotoxicity results showed that the ZnO NPs caused decreased survival rates, hatching delays, and morphological abnormalities in the zebrafish embryos, such as tail malformations and yolk sac oedema in the 100 µg/mL treatment group. Conclusion: While this study demonstrates the efficacy of BT-ZnO NPs as strong antimicrobial agents, it also emphasizes the need for caution regarding their environmental and health impacts, particularly at higher concentrations.

Antimicrobial GL13K Peptide-Decorated ZnO Nanoparticles To Treat Bacterial Infections.

As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial material, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) offer a novel approach to infected wounds in the clinic; however, it is very necessary to improve the antimicrobial performance of ZnO to satisfy the clinic requirements. In this work, a new antimicrobial hybrid ZnO@PDA/GL13K was prepared by attaching the antimicrobial GL13K peptide on the surface of ZnO NPs via polydopamine (PDA) as a covalent bonding agent, which can enhance the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and damage the cell wall, showing superior antimicrobial efficacy. Besides, the ZnO@PDA/GL13K hybrid can promote the healing of bacterial infected wounds, with the wound area only remaining 1.8% on day 9, about 2 times smaller than that of the ZnO group. Moreover, ZnO@PDA/GL13K also showed good biocompatibility, and no side effect on normal tissue and organs was found, implying that the antimicrobial hybrid may possess prospective application in biomedical fields.

Drought stress mitigation and improved yield in Glycine max through foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

The impact of climate change on agricultural production is apparent due to declining irrigation water availability vis-à-vis rising drought stress, particularly affecting summer crops. Growing evidence suggests that zinc (Zn) supplementation may serve as a potential drought stress management strategy in agriculture. Field studies were conducted using soybean (Glycine max var. Saba) as a model crop to test whether foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) or conventional Zn fertilizer (ZnSO4) would mitigate drought-related water stress and improve soybean yield. Each fertilizer was foliar applied twice at a two-week interval during the flowering stage. Experiments were concurrently conducted under non-drought conditions (70% field capacity) for comparison. Results showed drought significantly reduced relative water content, chlorophyll-a, and chlorophyll-b in untreated control plants by 35.7%, 47.7%, and 41.4%, respectively, compared to non-drought conditions (p < 0.05). Under drought conditions, ZnO-NPs (200mg Zn/L) led to 33.1% and 20.7% increase in chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b levels, respectively, compared to ZnSO4 at 400mg Zn/L. Likewise, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities increased by 62.6%, 39.5% and 28.5%, respectively, with ZnO-NPs (200mg Zn/L) under drought compared to non-drought conditions. Proline was significantly increased under drought but was remarkably suppressed (~ 54% lower) with ZnO-NPs (200mg Zn/L) treatment. More importantly, the highest seed yield was observed with ZnO-NPs (200mg Zn/L) treatment under drought (39% higher than untreated control) and non-drought (79.4% higher than control) conditions. Overall, the findings suggest that ZnO-NPs could promote seed yield in soybean under drought stress via increased antioxidant activities, increased relative water content, decreased stress-related proline content, and increased photosynthetic pigments. It is recommended that foliar application of 200mg Zn/L as ZnO-NPs could serve as an effective drought stress management strategy to improve soybean yield.

Mitigating effect of chitosan-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles on cryopreservation-induced DNA damage in human spermatozoa

Zinc, an essential micronutrient, is an important mediator of sperm function. Supplementation of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONPs) to semen cryopreservation medium has shown beneficial effects on sperm function, mainly due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilization properties. However, the ZnONPs are known to be membrane impermeable. In the current study, we explored the beneficial properties of membrane permeable zinc oxide nanoparticles on semen cryopreservation outcome. For the study, 52 liquefied human ejaculates were cryopreserved with chitosan-coated ZnONPs and stored in liquid nitrogen for one week. Samples were thawed and assessed for the sperm functional characters and DNA integrity. Significantly higher motility (P < 0.05), prolonged survival (P < 0.05) and lower DNA damage (P < 0.05) was observed in spermatozoa of semen samples cryopreserved with chitosan-coated ZnONPs. In conclusion, the presence of chitosan-coated ZnONPs in the ejaculate prior to cryopreservation increases the survival and decreases DNA damage without compromising with the functional competence of spermatozoa.

Experimental Investigation on Climate-Control Nano-Composite Polycarbonate Sheets Enhanced with TiO2, ZnO, and Zeolite Nanoparticles for Polyhouse Use

Abstract Optimal food production is achieved when crops receive the necessary nutrients, and the desired levels of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and sufficient water. Climate Control Agriculture, or Controlled Environment Agriculture, utilizes a technology-based approach to grow plants in a controlled environment. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of polycarbonate sheets doped with TiO2, ZnO, and zeolite nanoparticles for potential use in polyhouse applications. The thermal performance of these synthesized sheets and standard polycarbonate sheets was tested in a laboratory setting. A specialized experimental setup, consisting of two cabinets, was designed and fabricated for this purpose. Ten synthesized sheets each with thicknesses of 50 µm and 70 µm, and two commercial sheets of 70 µm thickness were tested experimentally in the laboratory for their thermal performance. Results indicated that the doping concentration of 0.3% was the most effective, while 0.1% was the least effective. Among the three doping materials, TiO2-doped sheets demonstrated superior ultra-violate light absorption capacity due to their high refractive index and band gap energy, which enhances their ability to absorb and scatter ultra-violate light. . ZnO offered stronger UV protection than the remaining three materials. However, it has a lower refractive index than TiO2. Its overall thermal performance was lower than TiO2. The desired properties of nanocomposites for use in polyhouse applications such as thermal performance in the laboratory, UV protection, mechanical strength and durability, transparency, photostability, and safety were compared based on the experimental results and the data available in the literature and was concluded that polycarbonate doped with ZnO and TiO₂ nanoparticles were the most suitable.&amp;#xD;

Light patterning semiconductor nanoparticles by modulating surface charges.

Optical patterning of colloidal particles is a scalable and cost-effective approach for creating multiscale functional structures. Existing methods often use high-intensity light sources and customized optical setups, making them less feasible for large-scale microfabrication processes. Here, we report an optical patterning method for semiconductor nanoparticles by light-triggered modulation of their surface charge. Rather than using light as the primary energy source, this method utilizes UV-induced cleavage of surface ligands to modify surface charges, thereby facilitating the self-assembly of nanoparticles on a charged substrate via electrostatic interactions. By using citrate-treated ZnO nanoparticles, uniform ZnO patterns with variable thicknesses can be achieved. These multilayered ZnO patterns are fabricated into a UV detector with an on/off ratio exceeding 104. Our results demonstrate a simple yet effective way to pattern semiconductor nanoparticles, facilitating the large-scale integration of functional nanomaterials into emerging flexible and robotic microdevices.

Skin Sensitization Potential of Sensitizers in the Presence of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro

Silica (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in dermal products. Their skin sensitization potential, especially their effects in combination with known sensitizers, is poorly studied in vitro and their sensitization inconsistently reported in animal studies. In this study, cellular assays were used to identify different steps of sensitization, the activation of keratinocytes and dendritic cells, when cells were exposed to these NPs in the absence and presence of sensitizers. Cellular systems included HaCaT keratinocytes and U937 (U-SENS™) alone, as well as different co-culture systems of THP-1 cells with HaCaT cells (COCAT) and with primary keratinocytes. The effect of NPs differed between co-cultures and U-SENS™, whereas co-cultures with either primary keratinocytes or HaCaT cells responded similarly. Pre-exposure to ZnO NPs increased the U-SENS™ assay response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene six-fold. The COCAT increase was maximally four-fold for the combination of SiO2 and trans cinnamaldehyde. When the THP-1 cells were separated from the keratinocytes by a membrane, the response of the co-culture system was more similar to U-SENS™. The direct contact with keratinocytes decreased the modulating effect of TiO2 and ZnO NPs but suggested an increase in response to sensitizers following dermal contact with SiO2 NPs.

Synthesis of Nanoparticle ZnO via Chemical Reduction Using Singkil (&lt;i&gt;Premna serratifolia linn&lt;/i&gt;) Leaf Extract as Photocatalytic

Nanoparticles are one of the widely studied research topics. ZnO nanoparticles have numerous benefits, such as photocatalysts and antibacterial applications. Methylene blue, which a highly dangerous and pollutes the environment and human health, is mostly used as a coloring dye in the textile industry. The use of biodegradation to treat textile waste is time-consuming and less effective. Applying photocatalysts using semiconductor materials is a more efficient method than conventional approaches for decomposing organic waste. One environmentally friendly method is green synthesis, which involves the use of microorganisms, enzymes, and plant extracts in the fabrication process. In this study, the green synthesis using chemical reduction of Premna serratifolia linn leaf extract was used to produce ZnO nanoparticles. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of temperature on the fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles and their photocatalytic performance. Zinc nitrate tetrahydrate was used as a precursor, and the furnace temperature was varied at 400, 500, and 600 °C. The obtained ZnO was then tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR). Moreover, the photocatalytic test was evaluated by examining the degradation efficiency of methylene blue using UV light. The XRD analysis indicated that the ZnO nanoparticles had crystallite sizes ranging between 44-60 nm. The SEM morphological test showed that the ZnO particles had a nano-sized spherical shape. The FTIR test results demonstrated the presence of ZnO peaks around 520 cm‑1. The performance of photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation was significantly affected by tuning the temperatures. It was observed that the photocatalytic activity increased with increasing temperature, and methylene blue degradation efficiency reached 50% at a temperature of 600 °C. The ability of ZnO as a photocatalyst material was also evaluated by recycling the used material two times, where there was no significant change in photocatalytic performance.

Comparison of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis and Consecutive Method for UV-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue

ZnO is a semiconductor material that is widely used for many applications in industries such as solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, food packaging, photocatalytic, anti-microbial, light-emitting diode devices, and gas sensors. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized using two methods, namely spray pyrolysis and a consecutive method. The consecutive method is a combination of sol-gel and spray drying methods. The objective of this study is to investigate the photocatalytic performance of ZnO fabricated using those methods. Both methods used the same precursor, zinc acetate dehydrate as a source of zinc, but with different solvents and additives. Based on the X-ray diffraction pattern, the ZnO NPs synthesized using spray pyrolysis and a consecutive method exhibited similar polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structures. The large crystal sizes of ZnO NPs were obtained using a consecutive method, sol-gel followed by spray drying, in comparison with those from the ZnO spray pyrolysis. In contrast, the particle size of ZnO prepared by the consecutive method was in a smaller range. The SEM analysis implied that the ZnO structures had surface defects. In the UV-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, ZnO produced by the consecutive method exhibited slightly higher degradation performance than ZnO spray pyrolysis. This performance was attributed to the larger crystal size of ZnO NPs, which provided a longer carrier movement at semiconductor surfaces and reduced electron-hole recombination. Additionally, ZnO NPs produced using the consecutive method underwent agglomeration that leads to a smaller contact surface with methylene blue, obstructing the degradation process.

Sustainable Nanomedicine: Enhancement of Asplatin’s Cytotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo Using Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Formed via Microwave-Assisted and Gambogic Acid-Mediated Processes

Chemoresistance encountered using conventional chemotherapy demands novel treatment approaches. Asplatin (Asp), a novel platinum (IV) prodrug designed to release cisplatin and aspirin in a reductive environment, has demonstrated high cytotoxicity at reduced drug resistance. Herein, we investigated the ability of green-synthesized nanocarriers to enhance Asp’s efficacy. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using a green microwave-assisted method with the reducing and capping agent gambogic acid (GA). These nanoparticles were then loaded with Asp, yielding Asp@ZnO-NPs. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to study the morphological features of ZnO-NPs. Cell viability studies conducted on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells demonstrated the ability of the Asp@ZnO-NPs treatment to significantly decrease Asp’s half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (5 ± 1 µg/mL). This was further demonstrated using flow cytometric analysis that revealed the capacity of Asp@ZnO-NPs treatment to significantly increase late apoptotic fractions. Furthermore, in vivo studies carried out using solid Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice showed significant tumor volume reduction with the Asp@ZnO-NPs treatment (156.3 ± 7.6 mm3), compared to Asp alone (202.3 ± 8.4 mm3) and untreated controls (342.6 ± 10.3 mm3). The histopathological analysis further demonstrated the increased necrosis in Asp@ZnO-NPs-treated group. This study revealed that Asp@ZnO-NPs, synthesized using an eco-friendly approach, significantly enhanced Asp’s anticancer activity, offering a sustainable solution for potent anticancer formulations.

Hydrothermal doping of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles in Sterculia cellulose mat for antimicrobial and photocatalytic applications

Hydrothermal doping of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles in Sterculia cellulose mat for antimicrobial and photocatalytic applications

Development and Performance of ZnO/MoS2 Gas Sensors for NO2 Monitoring and Protection in Library Environments

The presence of harmful oxidizing gases accelerates the oxidation of cellulose fibers in paper, resulting in reduced strength and fading ink. Therefore, the development of highly sensitive NO2 gas sensors for monitoring and protecting books holds significant practical value. In this manuscript, ZnO/MoS2 composites were synthesized using sodium molybdate and thiourea as raw materials through a hydrothermal method. The morphology and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ZnO/MoS2 composite exhibited a flower-like structure, with ZnO nanoparticles uniformly attached to the surface of MoS2, demonstrating advantages such as high specific surface area and good uniformity. The gas sensitivity of the ZnO/MoS2 nanocomposites reached its peak at 260 °C, with a sensitivity value around 3.5, which represents an improvement compared to pure ZnO, while also enhancing sensitivity. The resistance of the ZnO/MoS2 gas sensor remained relatively stable in air, exhibiting short response times during transitions between air and NO2 environments while consistently returning to a stable state. In addition to increasing adsorption capacity and improving light utilization efficiency, the formation of hetero-junctions at the ZnO-MoS2 interface creates an internal electric field that effectively promotes the rapid separation of photo-generated charge carriers within ZnO, thereby extending carrier lifetime.

Endowing viscose fabric ultraviolet and antibacterial activities using zinc oxide nanoparticles

To enhance the bioactive functionality of viscose fabrics via a new eco-friendly approach; novel green zinc oxide nanoparticles were biosynthesized and incorporated as functional additives in the finishing formulations encompassing citric acid as a green crosslinking agent and sodium hypophosphite as a potential catalyst using pad-dry-cure method. For this purpose, ZnO-NPs were biosynthesized using zinc acetate as a processor and our formerly prepared and fully characterized starch nanoparticles (SNPs) having particle size ranged from 80-100 nm as a green reducing and stabilizing agent for substituting the traditionally used toxic reducing agents. The zeta sizer determined that the ZnO-NPs were approximately tailored at 18-20 nm in size, while the UV-visible spectra revealed highly symmetric single-band absorption with a maximum peak around 382 nm. In contrast, both FTIR and SEM of finished viscose fabric in the presence of ZnO-NPs-III confirm the presence of ZnO-NPs and the formation of agglomerated nanostructures on the fabric surface. The finished fabric had a UPF of 34.07 compared to 4.0 for untreated fabric, and the antibacterial activities had very good bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, compared to zero for untreated fabric. Furthermore, how the finishing bath ingredients interact with the fabric was projected.