Silk-polyurethane composite based flexible electrochemical biosensing platform for pathogen detection.

The upcoming era of flexible and wearable electronics necessitates the development of low-cost, flexible, biocompatible substrates amenable to the fabrication of active devices such as electronic devices, sensors and transducers. While natural biopolymers such as Silk are robust and biocompatible, long-term flexibility is a concern due to the inherent brittle nature of soft Silk thin films. This work elucidates the preparation and characterization of Silk-polyurethane (Silk-PU) composite film that provides long-duration flexibility.

generation of turbostratic nickel hydroxide as a nanozyme for salivary glucose sensor.

Among the 3d-transition metal hydroxide series, nickel hydroxide is a well-studied electroactive catalyst. In particular, nickel hydroxide and its composite materials are well-suited for non-enzymatic glucose sensing. The electrocatalytic efficiency of nickel hydroxide is attributed to the thickness or to be precise, the thinness of the electroactive layer.

MnCoO Spinel Nanorods for Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite.

The rational design of nitrite sensors has attracted significant research interest due to their widespread use and the associated risks of methemoglobinemia and carcinogenicity. The undisclosed nitrite-sensing performance of the spinel cobaltite MnCoO (MCO) prepared by an oxalate-assisted coprecipitation method is reported in this study. Spectroscopy and microscopy investigations revealed the formation of uniform MCO nanorods with a high aspect ratio.

White Light Emissive Eu(III) Complexes through Ligand Engineering and their Applications in Cool Near Ultraviolet White Light Emitting Diodes and Thermometer.

In pursuit of enhancing white light quality for solid-state lighting (SSL) applications, an attempt has been made to design novel imidazo-bipyridyl ligands as an ancillary ligand to obtain multiple emissions (mimic sunlight) in the Eu-complex. By strategically modifying the phenanthroline core with imidazo-bipyridyl incorporation with 1 or 2-Napthyl groups at the C1 position, the excitation spectral line is successfully shifted from Ultraviolet (UV) to near UV/visible spectrum (where the LED emission occurs). The ligands showed greenish blue emission in solid and solution.

Green-Synthesized Amino Carbons for Impedimetric Biosensing of .

This study describes the synthesis of amino-functionalized carbon nanoparticles derived from biopolymer chitosan using green synthesis and its application toward ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor of highly virulent ( ). The inherent advantage of high surface-to-volume ratio and enhanced rate transfer kinetics of nanoparticles is leveraged to push the limit of detection (LOD), without compromising on the selectivity. The prepared carbon nanoparticles were systematically characterized by employing CO-thermal programmed desorption (CO-TPD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Fine bubble technology for the green synthesis of fairy chemicals.

Fairy chemicals (FCs), such as 2-azahypoxanthine (AHX), are a potential new class of plant hormones that are naturally present in plants and produced a novel purine metabolic pathway. FCs support plant resilience against various stresses and regulate plant growth. In this study, we developed a four-step method for synthesising AHX from 2-cyanoacetamide, achieving a good yield.

Dual-color photoluminescence modulation of zero-dimensional hybrid copper halide microcrystals.

Zero-dimensional hybrid copper(I) halides (HCHs) are attractive due to their interesting photoluminescence (PL) properties and the high abundance and low toxicity of copper. In this study, we report green-red dual emission from rhombic 1-butyl-1-methyl piperidinium copper bromide [(Bmpip)CuBr] microcrystals (MCs) prepared on borosilicate glass. The structure and elemental composition of the MCs are characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Rod-Shaped Spinel CoO and Carbon Nitride Heterostructure-Modified Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Electrode as an Electrochemical Transducer for Efficient Sensing of Hydrazine.

Engineering low-cost and efficient materials for sensing hydrazine (HA) is critical given the adverse effects of high concentrations on humans. We report an efficient electrode made up of rod-shaped CoO/g-CN (CoO/graphitic carbon nitride (GCN))-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide as a desirable electrode for the detection of HA. GCN is synthesized by the thermal decomposition of melamine, CoO, and the heterostructure is grown by a hydrothermal process.

Toll-like receptor-immobilized carbon paste electrodes with plasma functionalized amine termination: Towards real-time electrochemical based triaging of gram-negative bacteria.

Chronic wounds caused due to bacterial biofilms are detrimental to a patient, and an immediate diagnosis of these bacteria can aid in an effective treatment, which is still an unmet clinical need. An instant and accurate identification of bacterial type could be made by utilizing the Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) combined with Myeloid Differentiation factor 2 (MD-2). Given this, we have developed an electrochemical sensing platform to identify the gram-negative (gram-ve) bacteria using TLR4/MD-2 complex.

Highly Luminescent and Stable Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals by Interfacial Defect Passivation and Amphiphilic Ligand Capping.

Halide vacancies cause lattice degradation and nonradiative losses in halide perovskites. In this study, we strategically fill bromide vacancies in CsPbBr perovskite nanocrystals with NaBr, KBr, or CsBr at the organic-aqueous interface for hydrophobic ligand-capped nanocrystals or in a polar solvent (2-propanol) for amphiphilic ligand-capped nanocrystals. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectra, powder X-ray diffraction data, and scanning transmission electron microscopy images help us confirm vacancy filling and the structures of samples.

Photoinduced interfacial electron transfer from perovskite quantum dots to molecular acceptors for solar cells.

Bandgap-engineered inorganic and hybrid halide perovskite (HP) films, nanocrystals, and quantum dots (PQDs) are promising for solar cells. Fluctuations of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) rates affect the interfacial charge separation efficiencies of such solar cells. Electron donor- or acceptor-doped perovskite samples help analyze PET and harvest photogenerated charge carriers efficiently.

Hybridization of CoS and Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for High-performance Nonenzymatic Sensing of HO.

The development of efficient HO sensors is crucial because of their multiple functions inside and outside the biological system and the adverse effects that a higher concentration can cause. This work reports a highly sensitive and selective non-enzymatic electrochemical HO sensor achieved through the hybridization of CoS and graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (GCNNS). The CoS is synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and the bulk g-CN (b-GCN) is prepared by the thermal polycondensation of melamine.

Label-free miniaturized electrochemical nanobiosensor triaging platform for swift identification of the bacterial type.

In chronic wounds, rapid identification of the bacterial type is critical for immediate clinical assessment. A novel, cost-effective, and label-free electrochemical nanobiosensor was developed with the help of an indigenously fabricated carbon paste working electrode to rapidly identify the bacterial type. The proposed platform made use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to boost electrochemical activity, and the strong affinity of boronic acid moieties for diols allowed for detection and differentiation of gram + ve and gram -ve bacteria on the same platform.

Plasma Functionalized Carbon Interfaces for Biosensor Application: Toward the Real-Time Detection of O157:.

Nonthermal plasma, a nondestructive, fast, and highly reproducible surface functionalization technique, was used to introduce desired functional groups onto the surface of carbon powder. The primary benefit is that it is highly scalable, with a high throughput, making it easily adaptable to bulk production. The plasma functionalized carbon powder was later used to create highly specific and low-cost electrochemical biosensors.

Mechano-optical Modulation of Excitons and Carrier Recombination in Self-Assembled Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots.

Mechanically modulating optical properties of semiconductor nanocrystals and organic molecules are valuable for mechano-optical and optomechanical devices. Halide perovskites with excellent optical and electronic properties are promising for such applications. We report the mechanically changing excitons and photoluminescence of self-assembled formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr) quantum dots.

Solvent-free benzylic oxidation of aromatics over Cu(II)-containing propylsalicylaldimine anchored on the surface of mesoporous silica catalysts.

A sustainable method was used to produce aromatic ketones by the solvent-free benzylic oxidation of aromatics over mesoporous Cu(II)-containing propylsalicylaldimine anchored on the surface of Santa Barbara Amorphous type material-15 (CPSA-SBA-15) catalysts. For comparison, mesoporous Cu(II)-containing propylsalicylaldimine anchored with Mobil Composition of Matter-41 (CPSA-MCM-41) was assessed for these reactions under similar reaction conditions. The washed CPSA-SBA-15(0.

ZnAlMCM-41: a very ecofriendly and reusable solid acid catalyst for the highly selective synthesis of 1,3-dioxanes by the Prins cyclization of olefins.

The Prins cyclization of styrene (SE) with paraformaldehyde (PFCHO) was conducted with mesoporous ZnAlMCM-41 catalysts for the synthesis of 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane (4-PDO) using a liquid phase heterogeneous catalytic method. For a comparison study, the Prins cyclization reaction was also conducted over different nanoporous catalysts, e.g.

A photoanode with plasmonic nanoparticles of earth abundant bismuth for photoelectrochemical reactions.

A wide range of technologies has been developed for producing hydrogen economically and in greener ways. Photoelectrochemical water splitting using photoelectrodes submerged in a bath electrolyte forms a major route of hydrogen evolution. The efficacy of water splitting is improved by sensitizing metal oxide photoelectrodes with narrow bandgap semiconductors that efficiently absorb sunlight and generate and transport charge carriers.

Toxicity of nanomaterials due to photochemical degradation and the release of heavy metal ions.

The increased production of semiconductor nanomaterials such as heavy metal quantum dots and perovskites for applications such as in energy harvesting, optoelectronic devices, bioanalysis, phototherapy and consumer health products raises concerns regarding nanotoxicity. After disposal, these materials degrade upon interaction with the environment, such as rain and surface waters, soil and oxygen, and solar irradiation, leading to the release of heavy metal ions in the environment with exposure to aquatic and terrestrial animals and plants, and humans. Researchers are in the early stages of understanding the potential toxicity of such nanomaterials by quantifying the amount of heavy metal ions released due to environmental or biological transformation.

Green oxidation of alkylaromatics using molecular oxygen over mesoporous manganese silicate catalysts.

A very green catalytic method has been introduced for the synthesis of alkylaromatic ketones by solvent-free benzylic oxidation of alkylaromatics with molecular oxygen (O2) over hexagonally mesostructured MnSBA-15 catalysts synthesized with a variety of manganese (Mn) contents using a pH-adjusting direct hydrothermal (pH-aDH) method. For example, the solvent-free oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB) over different mesoporous MnSBA-15 catalysts and uniform pore sized MnMCM-41(31) prepared by an alkaline hydrothermal method has been systematically evaluated. Washed MnSBA-15(4) (W-MnSBA-15(4)) or green mesoporous MnSBA-15(4) obtained after the removal of the non-framework octahedral Mn2O3 species deposited on the active surface of MnSBA-15(4) using a promising chemical treatment method is used for this reaction to evaluate its catalytic activity.

Promising Utilization of CO for Syngas Production over Mg- and Ce-Promoted Ni/γ-AlO Assisted by Nonthermal Plasma.

Dry reforming of methane is conducted in a catalyst packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor aiming to improve the reaction efficiency. The MgO- and CeO-promoted Ni/γ-AlO catalyst is tested to carry out the reaction. An interesting observation is that Ni/MgO_AlO integration provides ∼35 and 13% conversion of CH and CO, respectively.

Reduced graphene oxide supported ZnO quantum dots for visible light-induced simultaneous removal of tetracycline and hexavalent chromium.

Semiconducting nanomaterials play an important role in the photocatalytic removal of aqueous pollutants like heavy metals, organic compounds, pathogens and antibiotics. In this study, we prepared ZnO quantum dots (QD) by the precipitation method and ZnO/rGO materials with varying percentages (0.5-2 wt%) of ZnO were prepared by the hydrothermal method.

Synthesis, optoelectronic properties and applications of halide perovskites.

Halide perovskites have emerged as a class of most promising and cost-effective semiconductor materials for next generation photoluminescent, electroluminescent and photovoltaic devices. These perovskites have high optical absorption coefficients and exhibit narrow-band bright photoluminescence, in addition to their halide-dependent tuneable bandgaps, low exciton binding energies, and long-range carrier diffusion. These properties make these perovskites superior to classical semiconductors such as silicon.

A facile method to decompose CO using a g-CN-assisted DBD plasma reactor.

The present study accomplishes the partial reduction of CO to carbon monoxide in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor packed with g-CN and TiO or ZnO mixed with g-CN. Typical results indicate that the ZnO + g-CN packed reactor provides ~12% CO conversion at SIE of 4.8 J/mL, whereas DBD yields only ~7.

Novel ultra-small Pd NPs on SOS spheres: a new catalyst for domino intramolecular Heck and intermolecular Sonogashira couplings.

We report a novel catalyst Pd/SOS that catalyzes the dual C-C bond forming coupling of an iodoarene moiety with an internal alkene and an external alkyne an intramolecular Heck reaction, followed by an intermolecular Sonogashira reaction, respectively. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, IR, XPS, SEM and TEM analyses. Notably, for the first time, cheap and readily available new silica [nanosilica on microsilica (SOS)] material-supported ultra-small Pd nanoparticles (2.