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Constructing nanostructures, such as nanopores, within metallic glasses (MGs) holds great promise for further unlocking their electrochemical capabilities. However, the MGs typically exhibit intrinsic atomic‐scale isotropy, posing a significant challenge in directly fabricating anisotropic nanostructures using conventional chemical synthesis. Herein a selective leaching approach, which focuses on tailoring the uniformity of atomic ordering, is introduced to achieve pore‐engineered Pd‐Ni‐P MG. This innovative approach significantly boosts the number of exposed active sites, thereby enhancing the electrochemical sensitivity for glucose detection. Electrochemical tests reveal that the nanoporous Pd‐Ni‐P MG exhibits high sensitivity (3.19 mA mm⁻¹ cm⁻2) and remarkable stability (97.7% current retention after 1000 cycles). During electrochemical cycling, synchrotron X‐ray pair distribution function and X‐ray absorption fine structure analyses reveal that the distance between active sites decreases, enhancing electron transport efficiency, while the medium‐range ordered structure of the Pd‐Ni‐P MG remains stable, contributing to its exceptional glucose sensing capabilities. A microglucose sensor is successfully developed by integrating the nanoporous Pd‐Ni‐P MG with a screen‐printed electrode, demonstrating the practical applicability. This study not only offers a new avenue for the design of highly active nanoporous MGs but also sheds light on the mechanisms behind the high electrochemistry performance of MGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stack of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and sulfur (S) precursor layers was deposited on a Corning 2947 substrate using the thermal evaporation method under a vacuum of approximately 2 × 10–4 Pa, employing the sequentially evaporated layer deposition (SELD) technique. The as-deposited stack was annealed at 623–723 K under a vacuum of approximately 2 × 10⁻1 Pa to achieve the Cu3SnS4 phase. The stack exhibits amorphous behaviour, while films grown between 623 and 723 K attain nanostructured Cu3SnS4 (CTS) form. The influence of TA on the characteristics of the Cu3SnS4 layers was investigated through structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and electrical analyses. The annealed CTS films crystallize in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I42 m (121). The grown films exhibit granular structures, with particles synthesized at 673 K demonstrating increased size. The bandgap (Eg) of the films decreases from 2.13 eV to 1.78 eV, while the absorption coefficient (α) ranges from 1 × 105 to 3 × 105 cm−1, as the annealing temperature (TA) increases from 623 to 723 K. At 673 K, the low resistivity of 9.37 × 10⁻3 Ω-cm, high mobility of 56.4 cm2/V-s, and acceptor concentration of 1.19 × 1019 cm⁻3 result from the increased crystallite size, which reduces grain boundary scattering. Thus, Cu3SnS4 is a promising absorber layer for thin-film solar cells due to its tunable bandgap, high optical absorption, low cost, and the use of earth-abundant elements. This study successfully advances photovoltaic technology by developing an economically viable alternative material for solar cell absorber layers, paving the way for large-scale solar cell production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates nanostructured titanium surfaces (Ti2 spikes) that promote the viability of osteoblasts and fibroblasts and prevent bacterial colonisation. Helium ion irradiation was adopted to produce nanometric‐sized cones on titanium. Human osteoblasts (hFOB) and human gingiva fibroblasts (hGF) were used for analysis. A viability and a cytotoxicity assay were conducted to evaluate the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and assess cell damage in Ti2 spikes compared to titanium discs with a sandblasted and acid‐etched (Ti2 SLA) surface. The antibacterial activity was investigated against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. In the course of the cultivation, both hGF and hFOB demonstrated significantly reduced viability on the Ti2 spikes surface. hGF cells exhibited a slight but significant increase in LDH release. In contrast, hFOB showed reduced cytotoxicity on this surface. On the Ti2 spikes surface, hGF cells exhibited a significant reduction in gene expression of VCL, Src‐1, and ITGα5. However, the integrin subunits ITGα1 and ITGα3 showed upregulation on the Ti2 spikes surface. The Ti2 spikes surface significantly increased the expression of almost all osteogenic markers. The results of conventional culturing demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the number of viable cells for S. mutans, F. nucleaum, and greater quantities of P. gingivalis on Ti2 spikes surface compared to control. However, no such reduction was detected for E. coli. The long‐term success of implants relies on establishing and maintaining hard and soft peri‐implant tissues. Ti2 spikes represent a novel and promising approach to enhance osseointegration and optimize biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured CuS films were synthesized on FTO substrates employing low-cost electro deposition technique. XRD, Raman, SEM, UV–visible spectroscopy, photocurrent, PL, Mott-Schottky, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to examine physical and photoelectrochemical properties of samples. XRD results indicated that CuS films have hexagonal crystal structure where the crystallite size raises from 32 to 53 nm with increasing the Cu2+ molarity. Raman results displayed two peaks at 270 and 450 cm−1 that related to A1g transverse optical mode (TO) and A1g longitudinal optical (LO) mode for the vibrations of the S–S stretching and Cu–S bonds, respectively. SEM images displayed that fabricated CuS cover the substrate surface entirely, where grains are distributed uniformly with increasing the Cu+2 molarity. UV–visible measurements exhibited an absorption band edge between 450 and 550 nm as a characteristic of CuS films direct band gap. PL results presented strong blue-green emission at about 500 nm for CuS thin films. The photocurrent studies demonstrated that the CuS films are p-type semiconductors where the current density increases from 0.8 mA/cm2 to 1.1 mA/cm2 with the Cu2+ molarity increasing. The EIS analysis confirmed that charge transfer resistance reduces with increasing molarity. Mott- Schottky measurements established that carrier concentrations and the flat band varied from 5 × 1019 to 6.7 × 1019 cm−3 and from 1.1 to 0.75V, respectively. The fabricated CuS film was tested as glucose biosensor where a fast response and higher stability were noticed. Our results indicated that nanostructured CuS films are gifted candidates for optoelectronics applications especially biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the potential of a transition metal nitride, Vanadium Nitride (VN), in designing a nanostructured absorber for infrared wavelengths. A simple and plain nano circular ring composed of VN is printed over a metal-backed lossy substrate to implement broadband absorber. The proposed VN-based absorber offers an exceptional absorption characteristic across the large operating wavelength from 1000 to 2400 nm with an absorption threshold of 90%. The absorption properties of this VN absorber have also been analyzed by varying the oblique angles of the optical light and it exhibits a good absorption value of more than 70% even at θ = 60°. Due to the symmetry in the nano-ring of VN, it also achieves the polarization-insensitive response by varying the rotation angles (polarization angles). Moreover, the multi-reflection interference theory has been introduced to verify the simulation results of the proposed VN-absorber. Because of its thermal robustness, mechanical stability, and wide absorption bandwidth, it holds promise for applications in solar cells and thermophotovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the design of a nanostructured metamaterial absorber, featuring a core composition of nickel (Ni) metallic patch surrounded by an inductive grid. The proposed Ni-based nano-absorber exhibits a remarkable absorption bandwidth, spanning both visible and short-infrared wavelengths, with an impressive average absorption efficiency of 90% from 400 to 2000 nm. This study comprehensively examines the absorption characteristics of the nano-absorber across a range of incident angles and polarization states of optical light. Notably, the absorber demonstrates a polarization-insensitive response due to the inherent four-fold symmetry within its nanoresonator design and gives a sizeable absorption for various incident angles. Furthermore, the paper also investigates the surface electric field for a deeper understanding of its performance. Additionally, an equivalent circuit model has been developed for the proposed nanostructured absorber, and a comparison between the simulated and analytical absorption shows a close agreement between them. The simple and easily fabricable design of this absorber makes it a promising candidate for diverse applications, encompassing energy harvesting, solar cells, photodetectors, etc. Furthermore, the straightforward and versatile geometry of the proposed nano-absorber can be readily adapted for use in different operating frequency spectra, including microwave and terahertz ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing thermoelectric films without substrates—free-standing films—eliminates substrate-induced effects on performance and meets the flexibility requirements of emerging wearable thermoelectric applications. This study investigates Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide (GZO), composed of abundant and non-toxic elements, to fabricate a substrate-free GZO film via 3D printing and compares its structural, chemical, and thermoelectric properties with those of a substrate-constrained GZO film produced through chemical deposition. Both films exhibited uniform crystal structures and phase purity; however, the substrate-constrained film displayed additional diffraction peaks, suggesting potential substrate interactions. The 3D-printed free-standing film effectively eliminated the tensile stresses observed in the substrate-constrained film. FE-STEM analysis revealed nanostructures with homogeneous elemental distribution in both films, though the substrate-constrained film showed discontinuities, such as pores, likely caused by post-deposition annealing treatment. XPS analysis highlighted differences in chemical states and elemental compositions between the films, influenced by fabrication methods, substrate-induced stresses, and surface energy mismatches. The free-standing GZO film developed through 3D printing exhibited a more balanced incorporation of Zn and O, as it was not subject to substrate or post-deposition annealing constraints. Consequently, it demonstrated a 14 % increase in electrical conductivity and a 91 % improvement in the Seebeck coefficient compared to the substrate-constrained film, resulting in a higher room-temperature power factor of 261 nW/m·K2. These findings underscore the potential of 3D-printed free-standing GZO films to advance thermoelectric applications, offering a promising alternative to overcome the challenges of substrate-constrained films and further drive innovation in the field.

Silicon possesses a 10-fold specific capacity compared to commonly used carbon-based anodes. The volume instability, among other impediments for practical use of silicon anodes, leads to the rapid decay of the capacity because of poor cyclability. Urgent mechanisms are required to improve lithium-ion storage during cycling and prevent volume variation in the silicon structure. Biogenic silicon derived from sugarcane bagasse can be used in nanoelectronic devices. Over the years, electrode materials have been an essential part of battery components. Moreover, electrode materials are favourable for highly portable nanoelectronics, hybrid as well as pure electric vehicles, etc. Furthermore, the biogenic silicon chosen for this study was based on natural abundance, environmental friendliness, and affordability. However, most silicon anodes are hindered by unstable volume expansion, variation in solid electrolyte interface films, and poor electrical conductivity. The focus is on silicon anodes, recent developments, and the potential of biogenic silicon from sugarcane waste, exploring its physicochemical properties to meet the requirements of a suitable anode material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have attracted extensive interest in both automotive and stationary applications. However, the drawback hindering the large-scale commercialization of PEMFCs is related to problems such as insufficient power density, high cost, and short operation duration. The major reason for these problems is the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics which takes place on the cathode side of the fuel cell due to the poor catalytic activity and durability of the expensive Platinum (Pt)-based catalyst employed. Subsequently, current research efforts are focusing on the design and development of an advanced Pt-based catalyst that is highly active and durable. As a result, alloying Pt with 3d-transition metals has been known to improve the ORR kinetics, especially of faceted polyhedrons, hollow nanostructures, and one-dimensional nanocrystals. This review therefore focuses on the synthesis protocols of the shaped and structured Pt-3d-transition metal (Pt-TM) alloys. As such, the synthesis control of the shape/structure, size, and chemical composition of various Pt-TM nano-alloys will be extensively reviewed here followed by a discussion of their electrocatalytic activity as applied in ORR reactions. Lastly, it discusses the outlook on the potential challenges and prospects of shape/structure-controlled electrocatalysts.

Nanostructured 'fuzzy' tungsten has been grown for the first time in a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering high power-impulse magnetron sputtering-(HiPIMS) system. The fuzzy layers were formed over range of surface temperatures T s, from 1025 to 1150 K, for helium ion fluences of 5.02 × 1024 m−2, and mean ion bombardment energy of 55 eV. The time-evolution of the helium ion flux (ΓHe) and incident energy (E He) were determined during the HiPIMS pulse (of width of 150 μ s) using a planar Langmuir probe. The micrographic findings revealed that, the thickness of HiPIMS-grown nano-tendrill layers increased by 83% (from 274 to 501 nm) for only a 125 K rise in T s. This result is explained by the fact that higher surface temperatures led to larger helium bubbles which ultimately produce a thicker nanostructured layer. The growth rate of fuzzy tungsten layers in HiPIMS conditions is approximately 50% lower than those observed for DC magnetron operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the fabrication of four different nanostructured silicon surfaces by using a combination of block copolymer micelle lithography is reported on. Nanoparticle hard masks are evaluated for their ability to produce single‐height nanoneedle arrays. Low‐density (3 features μm−2) and high‐density (201 features μm−2) single‐height arrays are produced from Au or α‐Fe2O3 masks, respectively. These single‐height arrays are then used as substrates to produce nanostructured surfaces with two distinct nanoneedle arrays concerning height, diameter, and density. These dual‐height arrays have feature densities of 31 and 9 features μm−2. All surface types are then tested for their antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, over 24 h. No difference in surface coverage of P. fluorescens when comparing the structured silicon surface types to planar controls is observed. However, all of the structured silicon types show an increase in dead cell surface coverage ranging from 9 to 29% compared to planar controls. Density of the pillars appears to be more important than the difference in height of pillars when it comes to antibacterial activity. This work seeks to add to the literature by investigating the effects of feature density, as well as the impact of a dual‐height arrangement of nanoneedles against P. fluorescens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of nano-oxides is an important field of nanotechnology, as these materials possess unique properties and applications. Several methods have been developed for synthesizing nano-oxides, each offering advantages and disadvantages depending on the desired material characteristics. Solar energy focused on solar reactors can be utilized for nano-oxide elaboration, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. The current article presents the research carried out for the elaboration of pure and doped nanostructured zinc oxides using solar energy. The morphostructural characteristics were determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of pure and doped nanostructured ZnO. The optical properties were highlighted by UV-VIS Spectroscopy. The research points out that crystallite sizes vary between 37 and 51 nm due to the influence of doping metal. The morphology associated with these particles is predominantly whiskers with elongated parts between 0.18 and 1.4 um. Doping with Fe, Si, Yb, and Ce causes a wider band gap compared to pure ZnO nanoparticles. As solar energy becomes more accessible and efficient, solar-driven synthesis of pure and doped ZnO is poised to be a crucial factor in shaping the future of material science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium silicate is widely used in endodontics because its bioactivity precedes tissue regeneration. The synthesis of pure compounds is challenging, especially for the C 3 S phase (3CaO·SiO 2) because, despite the use of pure phases to understand the phenomena involved in the fresh and hardened states, its isolated production requires specific conditions. Synthesis by combustion is an alternative method for obtaining improved endodontic cements. This study presents an alternative method for obtaining C3S-based nanostructured cements with the smallest possible amounts of polymorphs and CaO. To obtain the powders, citric acid was used as the fuel, and tetraethylorthosilicate was used as the silica precursor. In addition, two calcium precursors—calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate—were evaluated as oxidizers. Different parameters were investigated, including combustion temperatures (400 and 600 °C), equivalence ratios (χ) (citrate/nitrate) of 3, 5, and 7, type of oxidizer, and heat treatment temperatures (800, 1000, and 1200 °C). The thermal and structural properties, functional groups, and surface area were evaluated. The results indicate that at the combustion temperature of 600 °C, followed by heat treatment at 1000 °C with an equivalence ratio (χ) of 7, it is possible to obtain a nanostructured cement based on the M3 polymorph of C3S with 23.62 nm. The obtained material shows potential for application in endodontics because of its highly reactive and bioactive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the in-situ synthesis of nanostructured carbon materials using alcohol flames generated by a Bunsen lamp burner and a catalytic Ni substrate, as opposed to the chemical vapor deposition method. Four different liquid fuels were utilized, including n-butanol, ethanol, n-butanol/aqueous ammonia, and ethanol/aqueous ammonia. The carbon growth, morphology, and structure caused by the parameters of sampling position, temperature distribution, and liquid fuel type were investigated using the diffusion flame produced by the atmospheric alcohol lamp burner. The results show that the additive aqueous ammonia affects not only the flame temperature but also the axial position of the highest temperature. When using n-butanol and portions of 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % of aqueous ammonia mixed fuels, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are both observed; however, using ethanol and the portions of 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % of aqueous ammonia mixed fuels, only CNTs are synthesized. Soot particles show concentrically stacked carbon layers with a diameter of around 45 ± 5 nm. CNTs have no encapsulated Ni catalytic particles at the closed tip, showing the root growth mechanism and indicating differences from the top growth mechanism. In addition, graphene could be synthesized in pure n-butanol and n-butanol/ammonia flames, but not in pure ethanol and ethanol/ammonia flames. The IG/ID ratio values of the raw CNOs (2.33) and CNTs (1.05) are greater than 1, where IG/ID is the intensity ratio of Raman G-band and D-band peaks, indicating good crystallization of the graphite layer of these nanostructured carbon materials. Notably, flame synthesis via an alcohol Bunsen lamp burner simplifies operations saves resources, and improves conventional production, demonstrating a facile and efficient method.

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in optical applications of nanostructured metal thin films based on transparent conductive layers. There is little data published on the study of the optical behavior of ferromagnetic materials such as Co:Fe alloy thin films. DC sputtering technique was used to grow the magnetic crystalline Co:Fe thin films, on glass substrates, in different nano-thicknesses in range of 20, 35, 50, 75 and 100 nm. XRD technique, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and a spectrophotometer of Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) were used to analyze the films. The XRD data confirmed that the samples of Co:Fe films showed out-of-plane direction of 〈 1 1 0 〉. The data indicates that an increase in the average grain size and lattice constant of the films is presented related to increase in the nano-thickness of Co:Fe alloy thin films samples. From AFM, it is illustrated that the roughness of the film is about (Ra = 1. 5 5 7 nm) which is due to the produced grains. The optical response, optical conductivity and electrical conductivity have been affected by the changed nano-thickness of the metallic Co:Fe thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The facile microwave approach has been adopted to successfully synthesize silver-doped CuO (ACO) and bare CuO (BCO) photocatalysts. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), optical absorption, current-voltage (I–V), and photoluminescence (PL) studies have been executed to evaluate the effects of silver doping on texture, microscopic characteristics, crystal structure, bandgap, electrical conductivity, and charge carrier separation. Nanostructured (nanorods) and narrow bandgap ACO photocatalyst was produced owing to the synergistic impact of surfactant-assisted synthesis and silver doping-induced bandgap regulation. The ACO photocatalyst was a better choice for antibacterial application than its counterpart (BCO photocatalyst) due to the induced characteristics that increased its specific surface area and light-harvesting capabilities. Photoinduced charge carriers (holes and free electrons) in the ACO photocatalyst are shown to separate at maximal extent according to the PL and I–V analyses, indicating their facile transport from the production site to the site of action. The synergistic effects owing to the tailored features enable the ACO photocatalyst to kill the Campylobacter bacteria and mineralize Acridine orange dye at a fast rate. The antimicrobial activity of the doped catalyst has a linear relationship with the applied catalyst dosage as the zone of inhibition (ZOI) increases from 14.2 mm to 22.7 mm when the ACO photocatalyst dosage was raised from 4 μg to 12 μg. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food bioactives possess specific physiological benefits of preventing certain diet-related chronic diseases or maintain human health. However, the limitations of the bioactives are their poor stability, lower water solubility and unacceptable bioaccessibility. Structure damage or degradation is often found for the bioactives under certain environmental conditions like high temperature, strong light, extreme pH or high oxygen concentration during food processing, packaging, storage and absorption. Nanostructured steady-state nanocarriers have shown great potential in overcoming the drawbacks for food bioactives. Various delivery systems including solid form delivery system, liquid form delivery system and encapsulation technology have been developed. The embedded food nutrients can largely decrease the loss and degradation during food processing, packaging and storage. The design and application of stimulus and targeted delivery systems can improve the stability, bioavailability and efficacy of the food bioactives upon oral consumption due to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The food nutrients encapsulated in the smart delivery system can be well protected against degradation during oral administration, thus improving the bioavailability and releazing controlled or targeted release for food nutrients. The encapsulated food bioactives show great potential in nutrition therapy for sub-health status and disease. Much effort is required to design and prepare more biocompatible nanostructured steady-state nanocarriers using food-grade protein or polysaccharides as wall materials, which can be used in food industry and maintain the human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a simple co-precipitation method for making Zn-doped copper oxide (C1−x(Zn)xO) that is nanostructured, porous, active in visible light, and highly conductive. The combined impacts of doping, structural modifications, and nanoscaled synthesis contribute to the development of a novel catalyst that has inherent characteristics. Physicochemical studies confirm the coexistence of all desired features in the C1−x(Zn)xO photocatalyst. The formed photocatalyst's dye-destroying and antimicrobial properties were carefully examined and compared to those of pristine copper oxide (PCO) that had not been doped. When tested against Escherichia coli (a "negative strain") and Staphylococcus aureus (a "positive strain"), the antimicrobial properties of the C1−x(Zn)xO photocatalyst were better than those of PCO and on par with those of commercially available drugs. Also, C1−x(Zn)xO photocatalyst gets rid of reactive orange 4 (RO-4) dye more effectively and faster (0.023 min−1) than PCO photocatalyst (0.11 min−1) by using simple sorption and photocatalytic annihilation. The C1−x(Zn)xO photocatalyst eliminated 90.25 % of RO-4 dye under visible light irradiation. Under identical circumstances, the PCO photocatalyst removed 65.12 % of the RO-4 dye. The boosted bactericidal and photocatalytic activity of the C1−x(Zn)xO photocatalyst may be attributed to its larger surface area (56.5 m2 g−1), good electrical conductivity (2.33 × 10−3 S m−1), low bandgap (1.98 eV), and doping-induced structural defects. The developed features increase the light-capturing sites on the catalyst surface, improve the charge transport kinetics, enable the catalysts to harvest visible light, and limit the charge recombination process, allowing our photocatalyst to show exceptional bactericidal and dye annihilation activities. This study opens new avenues for developing metal-substituted metal oxides with porous nanostructures for environmental and ecological protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon possesses a 10-fold specific capacity compared to commonly used carbon-based anodes. The volume instability, among other impediments for practical use of silicon anodes, leads to the rapid decay of the capacity because of poor cyclability. Urgent mechanisms are required to improve lithium-ion storage during cycling and prevent volume variation in the silicon structure. Biogenic silicon derived from sugarcane bagasse can be used in nanoelectronic devices. Over the years, electrode materials have been an essential part of battery components. Moreover, electrode materials are favourable for highly portable nanoelectronics, hybrid as well as pure electric vehicles, etc. Furthermore, the biogenic silicon chosen for this study was based on natural abundance, environmental friendliness, and affordability. However, most silicon anodes are hindered by unstable volume expansion, variation in solid electrolyte interface films, and poor electrical conductivity. The focus is on silicon anodes, recent developments, and the potential of biogenic silicon from sugarcane waste, exploring its physicochemical properties to meet the requirements of a suitable anode material.

The most effective methods for the synthesis of nanostructured copper and zinc oxides, which have unique properties and potential applications in a variety of fields including electronics, photonics, sensorics, and energy conversion, are analyzed. Special attention is paid to laser-based methods for synthesizing oxide nanostructures, with an emphasis on the importance of controlling power density distribution to influence the quality and properties of the nanomaterials. The great significance of wavefront shaping techniques for controlling laser-initiated processes is highlighted, which enable precise control over the phase and amplitude of light waves to achieve desired outcomes in optics and laser-assisted formation of one- and two-dimensional structures of oxide semiconductor materials. Diffractive computer optics is presented as a powerful tool for precise beam control. The significance of laser-induced thermochemical processes for creating and improving the properties of ZnO and CuO-based nanomaterials is discussed. The presented analysis shows that the synthesis of nanocomposites based on ZnO and CuO using pulse-periodic laser treatment, coupled with precise laser beam control using free-form diffractive optics, presents novel opportunities for applications in optoelectronics, sensor technology, electronics and portable energy sources manufacturing, and various other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical process was used to deposit zinc sulfide thin films on glass substrates. The study aims to determine whether the annealing of zinc sulfide thin films changes their properties. An analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) determined that annealing controls zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin-film crystallinity and influences the structure of zinc sulfide crystallites, which range from cubic to hexagonal. A Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope was used (FESEM) to obtain images of thin films. None of thin films that not paneled or annealed displayed grain-like morphologies. while grain growth was an appropriate response to annealing at 150, 250 or 350 °C. Distributed crystalline quality, the EDX analysis confirms the presence of zinc and sulfur in the obtained films, distributed crystalline quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollutants originating from various sources like vehicular emission, power stations, factories, refineries, industrial emissions, and burning of garbage in open and laboratories, include many toxic gases and pollutants like hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene, xylene, and so on, ammonia (NH3), carbon‐monoxide (CO), carbon‐dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and so on, that are constantly released into the atmosphere and continuously deteriorating our natural environment and surroundings. These pollutants create harmful effects on the ecosystem and affect human health. Though there are many devices available for monitoring these pollutants and toxic gases, they are very expensive and time‐consuming. Since the safety of the life of human health, plants, animals, and their surrounding area on topmost priority, thus there is a significant need to develop user‐friendly and environmentally friendly sensing devices for real‐time monitoring of air pollutant emissions, which are extremely hazardous to the environment, breathable air, and human health. Extensive research has been made by researchers to develop an ideal sensor suitable for the environment and which can be within the reach of the masses. This review article presents different types of gas sensors and the technologies on which they work upon. We have also discussed the different gas sensors with their principle of operation. The working, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of sensor have also been discussed and compared with each other. Despite extensive research over several years to develop a highly sensitive, selective, and quick response sensor for the detection of flammable and toxic gases, the future scope and perspective for scientists are also proposed at the end of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the tribological and electrochemical properties of the CrN/AlCrN nano-layer deposited on H13 tool steel. Arc physical technique was employed to deposit multilayer coating. X-ray diffraction technique, thermionic and field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy have been used to determine the characteristics of the samples. To study the samples' wear behavior, coating adhesion, and surface hardness, reciprocating wear test, Rockwell-C test, and microhardness Vickers tester were employed, respectively. The measured values of the coefficient of friction and the calculated wear rates showed that the CrN/AlCrN multilayer coating has a much higher wear resistance than the uncoated sample. The coefficient of the friction of the coated sample was 0.53 and that of the uncoated sample was 0.78. Moreover, the wear rate of the coated H13 steel was about 127 times lower than the bare H13 steel sample. The results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization tests demonstrated that the corrosion current density of the H13 steel sample was 8 μA/cm2 and that of the CrN/AlCrN multilayer-coated sample was 3 μA/cm2. In addition, the polarization resistance of the treated and the substrate specimens was estimated at 4.2 and 2.7 kΩ.cm2, respectively.

Stable angina (angina pectoris) is a type of chest pain that happens when the heart muscle needs more oxygen than usual but it's not getting it at that moment because of heart disease. The drawback of the marketed formulation is required repeated administration of the drug due to low bioavailability. A recently licenced medication called ivabradine hydrochloride (IVB) is used to treat stable angina and signs of heart failure. Technical problems in the approved IBH tablets include a two-hour half-life, erratic systemic absorption, and a high rate of first-pass metabolism (>50%). We therefore created a distinctive and cutting-edge formulation of IVB using a nano formulation approach like nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The response surface method with a three-level Box–Behnken design was used for the creation and improvement of IVB. The optimized formulation was proceeded for physicochemical characterizations like particle size, zeta potential, morphology (TEM and SEM), entrapment efficiency, in-vitro release, stability studies, compatibility study (DSC, FTIR and XRD), hemocompatibility study, ex-vivo permeability, and in-vivo angina study. As results, optimized formulation was found to be 114.45 ± 5.14 nm particle size with 83.45 ± 3.23% entrapment efficiency and biphasic release. The formulation showed spherical and compatible with excipients, no interaction was observed and hemocompatible. The IBH-NLCss showed more permeability (1.85 folds) as compared to the marketed dosage form. The in-vivo pharmacological activity was established in terms of decrease in severity and duration of ST-segment depression in vasopressin-induced angina model in experimental rats.

Zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnO NSs) are one of the most versatile and promising metal oxides having significant importance in biomedical fields, especially for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. ZnO possesses unique physio-chemical and biological properties such as photo-chemical stability, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, higher targeting capability, and ROS-triggered cytotoxicity. These ZnO NSs have enhanced potential for various biomedical applications such as cancer therapy, drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, etc. Furthermore, ZnO possesses excellent luminescent properties that make it useful for bioimaging and image-guided targeted drug delivery, thereby reducing the unwanted side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Besides, these characteristics, enhanced permeability and retention effect, electrostatic interaction, ROS production, and pH-dependent dissolution of ZnO also make it potential aspirant as therapeutic that are suggested as key parameters for cytotoxic and cell death mechanisms via apoptosis, autophagy, and mitophagy mechanisms. Here, the recent progress and advances of ZnO NSs in bioimaging, drug delivery, and tissue engineering are discussed along with the advantages, limitations, and future advancement for biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant environmental and public health issue globally. Exposure to high levels of PM, especially fine particles, can have severe health consequences. These particles can come from a variety of sources, including natural events like dust storms and wildfires, as well as human activities such as industrial processes and transportation. Although an extensive development in air filtration techniques has been made in the past few years, fine particulate matter still poses a serios and dangerous threat to human health and to our environment. Conventional air filters are fabricated from non-biodegradable and non-ecofriendly materials which can cause further environmental pollution as a result of their excessive use. Nanostructured biopolymer aerogels have shown great promise in the field of particulate matter removal. Their unique properties, renewable nature, and potential for customization make them attractive materials for air pollution control. In the present review, we discuss the meaning, properties, and advantages of nanostructured aerogels and their potential in particulate matter removal. Particulate matter pollution, types and sources of particulate matter, health effect, environmental effect, and the challenges facing scientists in particulate matter removal are also discussed in the present review. Finally, we present the most recent advances in using nanostructured bioaerogels in the removal of different types of particulate matter and discuss the challenges that we face in these applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deformation behavior of nearly fully pearlitic, bainitic and martensitic steels during severe plastic deformation is summarized in this paper. Despite their significantly different yield stresses and their microstructures, their hardening behavior during SPD is similar. Due to the enormous hardening capacity the SPD deformation is limited by the strength of the tool materials. The microstructure at the obtainable limit of strain are quite similar, which is a nanocrystalline structure in the order of 10 nm, dependent on the obtainable strain. The nanograins are partially supersaturated with carbon and the grain boundaries are stabilized by carbon. Another characteristic feature is the anisotropy in grain shape which results in an anisotropy of strength, ductility and fracture toughness. The results are important for the development of ultra-strong materials and essential for this type of steels which are frequently used for application where the behavior under rolling contact and sliding contact is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating bulk polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) into nanostructured PCN has long been proven effective in enhancing its photocatalytic activity. However, simplifying the synthesis of nanostructured PCN remains a considerable challenge and has drawn widespread attention. This work reported the one-step green and sustainable synthesis of nanostructured PCN in the direct thermal polymerization of the guanidine thiocyanate precursor via the judicious introduction of hot water vapor's dual function as gas-bubble templates along with a green etching reagent. By optimizing the temperature of the water vapor and polymerization reaction time, the as-prepared nanostructured PCN exhibited a highly boosted visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. The highest H2 evolution rate achieved was 4.81mmol∙g−1∙h−1, which is over four times larger than that of the bulk PCN (1.19 mmol∙g−1∙h−1) prepared only by thermal polymerization of the guanidine thiocyanate precursor without the assistance of bifunctional hot water vapor. The enhanced photocatalytic activity might be attributed to the enlarged BET specific surface area, increased active site quantity, and highly accelerated photo-excited charge-carrier transfer and separation. Moreover, the sustainability of this environmentally friendly hot water vapor dual-function mediated method was also shown to be versatile in preparing other nanostructured PCN photocatalysts derived from other precursors such as dicyandiamide and melamine. This work is expected to provide a novel pathway for exploring the rational design of nanostructured PCN for highly efficient solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials has been a field of intense research to improve the efficiency of thermoelectric devices. One approach is to create a nanostructured thermoelectric material that has a low thermal conductivity due to its high number of grain boundaries or voids, which scatter phonons. Here, we present a new method based on spark ablation nanoparticle generation to create nanostructured thermoelectric materials, demonstrated using Bi2Te3. The lowest achieved thermal conductivity was <0.1 W m − 1 K − 1 at room temperature with a mean nanoparticle size of 8 ± 2 nm and a porosity of 44%. This is comparable to the best published nanostructured Bi2Te3 films. Oxidation is also shown to be a major issue for nanoporous materials such as the one here, illustrating the importance of immediate, air-tight packaging of such materials after synthesis and deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films are deposited on glass substrate using the sol-gel spin coating technique. The effect of annealing temperature on structural properties was investigated. The ZnO sol-gel was produced from zinc acetate dehydrate as the starting material with iso-propanol alcohol as the stabilizer. The ratio was controlled, distilled water and diethanolamine as the solvent mixing on a magnetic stirrer for an hour under constant heat of 60°C. The ZnO thin film was deposited using the spin coating technique with the speed of 3000 rpm for 30 minutes before the sample undergoes pre-heat in the oven at the temperature of 100°C for 10 minutes. The sample was annealing in the furnace for an hour at 200°C, 350°C, and 500°C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms that hexagonal wurtzite structure with zincite and zinc acetate hydroxide hydrate composition. The thin films surface roughness was analyzed using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) for surface morphology observation.

We present an efficient and effective method for preparing a novel self-assembled nanostructured material with high toughness and impact strength from a blend of di-glycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) and epoxidized poly(styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene) (eSBS55) tri-block copolymer. The field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope results show the nanostructured morphological characteristics of the blends. This study achieved the highest fracture toughness, with a fracture toughness in the form of critical stress intensity factors (KIC) value of 2.54 MPa m1/2, in epoxy/block copolymer blends compared to previous works in the field. The impact strength also increased by 116% compared to neat epoxy. This is a major advancement in epoxy toughening due to the use of a single secondary phase. The resulting highly tough and impact-resistant material is a promising candidate for coating applications in industries such as flooring, building, aerospace, and automobiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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[Display omitted] • T i O 2 -Ge based thin film solar cell, was simulated using SCAPS-1D software. • A solar cell structure comprising FTO/ T i O 2 /Ge/CdTe/Au has been proposed, achieving a maximum efficiency of 34.1 %. • Effect of absorber layer thickness, operation temperature, increasing interface state density between T i O 2 /Ge interface, various metal work functions and the effect on quantum efficiency as the thickness of absorber layer increases, has been investigated for the performance T i O 2 -Ge solar cell. This study illustrates the numerical simulation and optimization of n- T i O 2 /p-Ge thin-film solar cell for which the following structure of the FTO/ T i O 2 /Ge/CdTe/Au device was proposed, which was numerically simulated by the SCAPS 1D software. Titania (T i O 2) and germanium (Ge) multi-layer nanostructured coatings have attracted considerable attention for solar cells because of its potential efficiency in clean energy generation & due to their distinctive quantum confinement effect. Utilizing this software, various parameters were optimized such as increasing absorber layer (Ge) thickness, for which the optimal value of thickness (Ge) was found to be 500 nm. Another parameter analyzed was the effect of temperature on the proposed device performance, indicating superior efficiency at room temperatures. The influence of increasing interface state density between T i O 2 -Ge interface on the performance of the proposed solar cell was also analyzed, simulating from (1 x 10 10 to 5 x 10 13) 1 / c m 2 , achieving efficient device performance by reducing interface state density. Additionally, various metal work functions were also examined, with gold emerging as the optimal metal contact and the effect on quantum efficiency as the absorber layer thickness increases has also been considered and analyzed. Finally, a maximum optimized PCE of ∼ 34.1 % is obtained with a J s c = 44.83 mA c m - 2 , V o c = 0.8748 V, and FF=86.95 % suggesting that T i O 2 -Ge nanostructured coating based solar cells could be used as heterojunctions solar cells having tunable bandgap energy & can be employed for photovoltaic applications. This simulation data will be utilized in advancing the experimental fabrication processes of T i O 2 -Ge thin film solar cell technology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal control coating is an important means of ensuring that a spacecraft remains operational at high temperatures. Due to limitations regarding preparation technology and material properties, the mechanical properties of the conventional thermal control coatings still need to be improved. To solve this problem, nanostructured alumina coatings (NCs) and conventional alumina coatings (CCs) were prepared using plasma-spraying technology. The microscopic morphology, phase structure, hardness, and thermal control properties (solar absorptance (αs) and emissivity (ε)) of the nanostructured alumina coatings were investigated and compared with those of conventional alumina coatings. The results show that the NC has a higher hardness value (1168.8 HV) and that its reflectivity exceeds 75% in the wavelength range of 446–1586 nm, while a high degree of emissivity of 0.863–0.87 is still maintained at 300–393 K. Furthermore, the results show that these highly reflective properties are related to the phase composition and internal micromorphology of the NC, whereby the solar absorption of the coating is reduced due to the increase in the alpha phase content (21.4%), the high porosity (5.21%) and the nanoparticles favoring the internal scattering. All these properties can improve the performance of this CC coating with low solar absorptance (αs) and high emissivity (ε). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries have great potential for the development of next‐generation high‐energy‐density secondary batteries owing to their high theoretical energy density, active material (sulfur) environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, their application is still impeded by the inherent sluggish kinetics and solubility of intermediate products of the sulfur cathode. Interface design is an important direction to address challenges in the development of Li−S batteries. The modification of the separator has been shown to effectively suppress the shuttling effect of physical hindrance or chemical bonding without affecting the utilization of active materials. This review encompasses the application of nanostructured transition metal oxides (TMOs), transition metal sulfides (TMSs), transition metal nitrides (TMNs), transition metal phosphides (TMPs), such as incorporating functional separators beyond the approach for preparing novel cathodes, and discusses their composites in a new multifunctional barrier layer for Li−S batteries. The objective properties of various metal compounds and the effect of the shuttle effect in particular on the electrochemical performance in Li−S batteries are highlighted, and give an outlook on the promising approaches for the construction of reliable Li−S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical supercapacitors as an energy storage device have become trademark in current electronic, medical and industrial applications, as they are sources of impressive power output. Supercapacitors supply fast power output, suitable to cover the energy demand of future electronic devices. Electrode material design is a subject of intense research in the area of energy development and advancement, due to its essential role in the electrochemical process of charge storage and the cost of capacitors. The nano-dimensions allow for more electroactive sites, different pore size distributions, and a large specific surface area, making nanostructured electrode materials more promising. Electrode materials based on metal oxides, metal nitrides, and metal carbides are considered ideal for highly efficient electrochemical supercapacitors. Recently, much effort has been devoted to metal nitride-based electrodes and their diverse compositions as they possess higher electrical conductivity and better corrosion resistance, electrochemical stability, and chemical reactivity. Among these, titanium nitride (TiN), possesses high electrochemical stability, outstanding electrical conductivity, and a unique electronic structure. Nanocomposites based on titanium nitrides are known to deliver higher electrochemical performance than pristine nanostructured TiNs due to potential synergetic effects from both the materials. In this paper, recent advancements made in the field of nanostructural TiN electrode materials for SCs are reviewed along with their challenges and future opportunities. Additionally, some of the major techniques involved in the synthesis process are discussed, along with some basic concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we outline the successful preparation of a nanostructured Nb2O5 thin film by utilizing Q-switched Nd:YAG pulsed laser in a vacuum environment. The deposition was performed with the fundamental wavelength, 350 °C as substrate temperature and laser energy of 657 mJ. The film optical, structural, topographical, and morphological properties were investigated by the UV-Visible spectrophotometer, photoluminescence, XRD analyses, AFM, and FE-SEM. The elemental compositions were also tested by EDX analyses. The estimated indirect band gap value (confirmed by PL) agreed with many reported works and studies. It was also well suited for various applications. The data extracted from XRD profile provided well-defined Polycrystalline peaks with the orthorhombic phase (T-Nb2O5) as the predominant plane. Monoclinic (H-Nb2O5), commonly formed at very high route temperatures, was interestingly formed by PLD technique at a substrate temperature of only 350 °C. The obtained structures were characterized without any post-annealing treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the tribological and electrochemical properties of the CrN/AlCrN nano-layer deposited on H13 tool steel. Arc physical technique was employed to deposit multilayer coating. X-ray diffraction technique, thermionic and field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy have been used to determine the characteristics of the samples. To study the samples' wear behavior, coating adhesion, and surface hardness, reciprocating wear test, Rockwell-C test, and microhardness Vickers tester were employed, respectively. The measured values of the coefficient of friction and the calculated wear rates showed that the CrN/AlCrN multilayer coating has a much higher wear resistance than the uncoated sample. The coefficient of the friction of the coated sample was 0.53 and that of the uncoated sample was 0.78. Moreover, the wear rate of the coated H13 steel was about 127 times lower than the bare H13 steel sample. The results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization tests demonstrated that the corrosion current density of the H13 steel sample was 8 μA/cm² and that of the CrN/AlCrN multilayer-coated sample was 3 μA/cm². In addition, the polarization resistance of the treated and the substrate specimens was estimated at 4.2 and 2.7 kΩ.cm², respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchically assembled nanostructured apatitic (HANA) mesoporous particles have been hailed as potential drug delivery agents. However, their synthesis is intricate, and synthesis process parameters critically affect their formation. This investigation comprehensively evaluated the effects of both temperature and duration of hydrothermal heating on the architecture and structure of HANA particles. Variations in temperature and heating duration unfolded various HANA particle morphologies, including bundle-like, flower-like, dumbbell-like, and spherical-ended dumbbell-like particles. All morphologies exhibited monolithic apatitic structures with varying crystallinity and lattice strain. Also, particles exhibited mesoporous structures with superior surface area (16–23 m2g-1) and pore volume (0.009–0.048 cm3g-1). Spherical-ended dumbbell-like particles displayed strong drug encapsulation efficiency and improved pharmacokinetics in simulated body conditions based on their ionic release rate, drug loading, and release rate testings. Therefore, an amalgamation of amazing properties of HANA particles proposed their therapeutic applications as agents for controlled drug administration and tissue restoration multifunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]