Facile combustion synthesis of Ag2O nanoparticles using cantaloupe seeds and their multidisciplinary applications

Silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag₂O NPs) were prepared using cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) seeds as a fuel by employing a green synthesis method. The prepared Ag₂O NPs were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), UV–visible spectrum, Fourier transform infrared analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and photoluminescence studies. PXRD data reveal the establishment of cubic crystal structure of Ag₂O NPs. According to SEM and TEM results, the morphology of the prepared NPs was agglomerated and spherical. The photodegradation activity of the prepared Ag₂O NPs over methylene blue dye was promising under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the antimicrobial assay of the synthesized Ag₂O NPs was carried out by the disc diffusion method against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial strains.     

Immobilizing ultrafine bimetallic PtAg alloy onto uniform MnO_2 microsphere as a highly active catalyst for CO oxidation

Herein, a facile glycol reduction route is successful employed to synthesize bimetallic Pt Ag alloys with homogeneous distribution of sizes and elements. Experimental studies reveal that the ultrafine Pt Ag alloys with well-defined sizes from around 3.3 nm to 5.8 nm are immobilized onto MnO_2 microsphere,which remarkably enhances the catalytic performances for CO oxidation. Importantly, quasi in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) result reveals that both Mn and Pt ions on the surface of catalysts would realize alternating reduction-oxidation by CO and O_2 molecules, and the oxygen vacancy sites could be replenished and excited by gas-phase O_2.     

MgSiO3 nanoparticle‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions in the synthesis of novel spiroindane‐1,3‐diones derived from substituted chalcones

Employment of metal nanoparticles has been one of the most promising synthetic strategies for a number of chemical transformations. New spiroindane‐1,3‐diones were synthesized through [3 + 2] cycloaddition in moderate to high yields by a three‐component reaction of heterocyclic chalcone derivatives, ninhydrin, and sarcosine/L‐proline. The presence of heterogenous MgSiO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) under microwave irradiation showed a robust effect in improving the yield of the desired products. Furthermore, the catalyst may be recovered and reused without significant loss of activity.     

Optimizing adsorptive removal of malachite green and methyl orange dyes from simulated wastewater by Mn‐doped CuO‐Nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon using CCD‐RSM: Mechanism,regeneration, isotherm,kinetic, and thermodynamic studies

In the present work, Mn‐doped CuO‐NPs‐AC was prepared by a simple method, characterized using various techniques such as FESEM, EDX, XRD, PSD, and pH_pzc and finally used for the adsorption of malachite green (MG) and methyl orange (MO) in a number of single and binary solutions. A series of adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate and optimize the influence of various factors (such as different pH, concentration of MG and MO, adsorbent mass, and sonication time) on the simultaneous adsorption of MG and MO using response surface methodology. Under optimal conditions of pH 10, adsorbent dose of 0.02 g, MG concentration of 30 mg L^?1, MO concentration of 30 mg L^?1, and sonication time of 4.5 min at room temperature, the maximum predicted adsorption was observed to be 100.0%, for both MG and MO, showing that there is a favorable harmony between the experimental data and model predictions. The adsorption isotherm of MO and MG by Mn‐doped CuO‐NPs‐AC could be well clarified by the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 320.69 mg g^?1 and 290.11 mg g^?1 in the single solution and 233.02 mg g^?1 and 205.53 mg g^?1 in the binary solution by 0.005 g of adsorbent mass for MG and MO, respectively. Kinetic studies also revealed that both MG and MO adsorption were better defined by the pseudo‐second order model for both solutions. In addition, the thermodynamic constant studies disclosed that the adsorption of MG and MO was likely to be influenced by a physisorption mechanism. Eventually, the reusability of the Mn‐doped CuO‐NPs‐AC after six times showed a reduction in the adsorption percentage of MG and MO.     

In situ generation of palladium nanoparticles using agro waste and their use as catalyst for copper‐, amine‐ and ligand‐free Sonogashira reaction

The use of water extract of waste papaya bark ash for the in situ generation of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) as an efficient and environmentally friendly basic medium for the Sonogashira reaction at room temperature is reported. This methodology follows green chemistry principles as the reaction is performed using agro waste (natural feedstock) for the generation of the Pd NPs as well as for providing a basic medium for the reaction in the absence of any additional organic or inorganic base, ligand and copper salt, giving excellent yield of cross‐coupled product at room temperature. The reaction conditions are compatible with electronically diverse aryl iodides and electronically diverse alkyne derivatives.     

Environmentally friendly and highly efficient synthesis of benzoxazepine and malonamide derivatives using HPA/TPI‐Fe3O4 nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst in aqueous media

A magnetic inorganic–organic nanohybrid material (HPA/TPI‐Fe₃O₄ NPs) was produced as an efficient, highly recyclable and eco‐friendly catalyst for the one‐pot multi‐component synthesis of malonamide and 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzo[b ][1,4]oxazepine derivatives with high yields in short reaction times (25–35 min) in aqueous media at room temperature. The nanohybrid catalyst was prepared by the chemical anchoring of H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂ onto the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) with N ‐[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]isonicotinamide (TPI) linker. The magnetic recoverable catalyst was easily recycled at least ten times without any loss of catalytic activity.     

Ag nanoparticles immobilized on guanidine modified-KIT-5 mesoporous nanostructure: Evaluation of its catalytic activity for synthesis of propargylamines and investigation of its antioxidant and anti-lung cancer effects

The current study involves the novel synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) decorated biguanidine modified mesoporous silica KIT-5 following post-functionalization approach (KIT-5-bigua-Ag). The tiny Ag NPs were being stabilized over the in situ prepared biguanidine ligand. The high surface area material was characterized using advanced analytical methods like Fourier Transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, N₂-adsorption–desorption isotherm, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray Diffraction study (XRD). The material was having large pore cage like structure with pore diameter of 8–10 nm. TEM study displayed the particles size of deposited Ag NPs were 10–15 nm. The KIT-5-bigua-Ag nanocomposite had a significantly high surface area of 318 m²/g (BET analysis). Towards the chemical applications of the material, we headed the three-component reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes (A³ coupling) with good to excellent yields (70–98%) of diverse Propargylamines. The catalyst was easily isolable and reused in 8 cycles without any leaching and considerable change in its reactivity. In addition, the KIT-5-bigua-Ag nanocomposite was engaged in biological assays like study of anti-oxidant properties by DPPH mediated free radical scavenging test using BHT as a reference molecule. Thereafter, on having a significant IC50 value in radical scavenging assay, we extended the bio-application of the desired nanocomposite in anticancer study of A549 cell of human lung in-vitro conditions. In the cytotoxicity and anti-human lung studies, the nanocomposite was treated to lung cancer A549 cell line following MTT assay. The cell viability of malignant lung cell line reduced dose-dependently in the presence of KIT-5-biguanidine-Ag nanocomposite. IC50 values of the nanocomposite were observed to be 915.22 μg/mL against A549 cell line. So, these results suggest that KIT-5-bigua-Ag as a novel chemotherapeutic nanocomposite have a suitable anticancer activity against lung cell lines.     

Facile synthesis of PEG‐coated magnetite (Fe3O4) and embedment of gold nanoparticle as a nontoxic antimicrobial agent

In the present study, we carried out a chemical synthesis and characterization of Fe₃O₄@PEG‐Au as a core/shell nanocomposite in an aqueous solution by the chemical co‐precipitation of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions and encapsulated it by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in order to enhance hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of gold ions and immobilize them in the presence of NaBH₄ as a reducing agent. The nanostructures were characterized with FT‐IR, FESEM, EDS, WDX, VSM, ICP‐MS, and TEM. The antimicrobial activities of the nanostructures were tested against pathogenic microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Candida albicans by broth microdilution method according to the methods of the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). The toxicity of the nanostructures was tested against animal cell line based on MTT assay. The synthesized core/shell nanostructures had a good activity against the representative microorganisms of public health concern and revealed an insignificant toxicity against animal cell line.     

Hybrid solvothermal/sonochemical-mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs generative of OH radicals: Photoluminescent approach to evaluate OH scavenging activity of Egyptian and Yemeni Punica granatum arils extract

Zinc oxide NPs were synthesized solvothermally within sonochemical mediation and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, elemental mapping, TEM and UV–vis. spectrophotometry. To evaluate the hydroxyl radicals (OH) scavenging activity of arils extract of Egyptian (EGY-PAM) and Yemeni Punica granatum (YEM-PAM), the developed zinc oxide nano particles (ZnO NPs) as a highly productive source of hydroxyl radicals (under Solar-illumination) was used. The yield of OH was trapped and probed via fluorimetric monitoring. This suits the first sensitive/selective photoluminescent avenue to evaluate the OH scavenging activity. The high percentage of DPPH radical scavenging reflected higher contents of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that were found in EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM. Although, some secondary metabolites contents were significantly different in EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM, the traditional DPPH radical scavenging methodology revealed insignificant IC₅₀. Unlike, the developed fluorimetric probing, sensitively discriminated the OH scavenging activity with IC₅₀ (105.7 µg/mL) and lower rate of OH productivity (k = 0.031 min⁻¹) in case of EGY-PAM in comparison to IC₅₀ (153.4 µg/mL) and higher rate of OH productivity (k = 0.053 min⁻¹) for YEM-PAM. Our findings are interestingly superior to the TBHQ that is synthetic antioxidant. Moreover, our developed methodology for fluorimetric probing of OH radicals scavenging, recommends EGY-PAM as OH radicals scavenger for diabetic patients while YEM-PAM exhibited a better OH radicals scavenging appropriate for high blood pressure patients. More interestingly, EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM exhibited high anticancer potentiality. The aforementioned OH and DPPH scavenging activities as well as the anticancer potentiality present EGY-PAM and YEM-PAM as promising sources of natural antioxidants, that may have crucial roles in some chronic diseases such as diabetics and hypertension in addition to cancer therapeutic protocols.     

微波原位合成Ag NPs/MoS2复合材料及其电化学性能

二硫化钼纳米片（MoS₂）受到带电杂质、结构缺陷和易聚集等因素的影响，导致其电子转移性能下降，使其应用受限。将银纳米颗粒（Ag NPs）与少层MoS₂纳米片复合，可提升MoS₂纳米片的电化学性能。本研究创新性地采用微波还原法，使Ag NPs原位沉积于MoS₂，得到Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料。结果表明，将Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料修饰于丝网印刷电极（screen printed elec-trodes，SPE）后，测得的循环伏安（cyclic voltammetry，CV）曲线峰电流值为同浓度单一MoS₂修饰电极的1.8倍，方波伏安（square wave voltammetry，SWV）曲线峰电流值为单一MoS₂修饰电极的3.4倍，电化学阻抗谱（electrochemical impedance spectroscopy，EIS）的电子转移阻抗值（R_et）仅为167 Ω，相比MoS₂/SPE的R_et （320 Ω）显著减小，说明Ag NPs与MoS₂复合可显著增强单一MoS₂的电化学性能。此外，还推测了高导电性Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料的导电机理。最后，基于Ag NPs/MoS₂复合材料构建了电化学传感器并对前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）进行检测。结果表明，该传感器针对PSA的检测限为0.009 ng·mL^-1，线性检测范围为0.1~1 000 ng·mL^-1，灵敏度为0.011 μA·mL·ng^-1。