High-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator assisted by a three-phase PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposite.

The emergence of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) presents a promising alternative to supply energy demands within the realms of portable and miniaturized devices. In this article, the role of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide tungsten sulfide (WS2) and conductive rGO sheets as filler materials inside the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix on piezoelectric performances has been investigated extensively. The strong electrostatic interaction between C-F and C-H monomer bonds of PVDF interacted with the large surface area of the WS2nanosheets, increasing the electroactive polar phases and resulting in enhanced ferroelectricity in the PVDF/WS2nanocomposite. Further, the inclusion of rGO sheets in the PVDF/WS2composite allows mobile charge carriers to move freely through the conductive network provided by the rGO basal planes, which improves the internal polarization of the PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposites and increases the electrical performance of the PENGs. The PVDF/WS2/0.3rGO nanocomposite-based PENG exhibits maximum piezoresponses with ∼8.1 times enhancements in the output power density than the bare PVDF-based PENG. The mechanism behind the enhanced piezoresponses in the PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposites has been discussed.

Recent Advances in Semiconductor-Graphene and Semiconductor-Ferroelectric/Ferromagnetic Nanoheterostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Generation and Environmental Remediation.

Semiconductor heterostructures have attracted intensive research attention during the past few years owing to their great potential for energy and environmental remediation related applications. Effective optical absorption and efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers are among the key factors for achieving high efficiency in a photocatalytic process. This mini-review summarizes state-of-the-art activities in designing nanosemiconductor heterostructures using multifunctional semiconductors for solar-to-hydrogen conversion and degradation of organic pollutants. Various novel design strategies such as semiconductor/graphene heterojunctions including graphene as a semimetal and photosensitizer, semiconductor/ferromagnetic, and semiconductor/ferroelectric nanoheterostructures for enhancing the performance of photocatalytic processes have been discussed. Finally, key challenges and future prospects for designing more efficient photocatalytic materials are briefly outlined.

Novel g-C3N4/Fe-ZnO/RGO nanocomposites with boosting visible light photocatalytic activity for MB, Cr (VI), and outstanding catalytic activity toward para-nitrophenol reduction.

A novel g-C3N4/Fe-ZnO/RGO nanocomposite has been synthesized using the facile solvothermal method to boost the catalytic efficiency of ZnO. The structure and morphology of nanocomposites were examined by a wide range of characterization methods. The obtained g-C3N4/Fe-ZnO/RGO nanocomposite (Z-scheme heterostructure) exhibits improved photocatalytic activity toward the photodegradation of MB, Cr (VI) under visible-light irradiation and 4-nitrophenol reduction. The enhancement in activity of nanocomposite is ascribed to a unique heterostructure system, which facilitates excellent transport and separation of the photogenerated charge carrier, resulting in prolonged lifetime leading to continuous generation of reactive species. Moreover, the synergistic effect on the interface of ZnO and g-C3N4 and the introduction of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) serve as a booster for charge separation at the Z-scheme, which ultimately speeds up the degradation of pollutants. The present study provides a novel and facile approach for establishing an efficient nanocomposite for environmental remediation.

Illuminating the Anticancerous Efficacy of a New Fungal Chassis for Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis.

Biogenic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have supple platforms designed for biomedical and therapeutic intervention. Utilization of Ag NPs are preferred in the field of biomedicines and material science research because of their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancerous activity along with their eco-friendly, biocompatible, and cost-effective nature. Here we present a novel fungus Piriformospora indica as an excellent source for obtaining facile and reliable Ag NPs with a high degree of consistent morphology. We demonstrated their cytotoxic property, coupled with their intrinsic characteristic that make these biogenic nanoparticles suitable for the anticancerous activity. In vitro cytotoxicity of biologically synthesized Ag NPs (BSNPs) and chemically synthesized Ag NPs (SNPs) was screened on various cancer cell lines, such as Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), Human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), Human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines and embryonic kidney cell line (HEK-293) as normal cell lines. The antiproliferative outcome revealed that the BSNPs exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 followed by HeLa and HepG2 cell lines as compared to SNPs. The blend of cytotoxic properties, together with green and cost-effective characteristics make up these biogenic nanoparticles for their potential applications in cancer nanomedicine and fabrication coating of ambulatory and non-ambulatory medical devices.

Synthesis and Phase Transformation Studies of Dysprosium-Doped Bi4V2O11 Nanoparticles and Their Application in Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Drug.

Recently, Bi4V2O11 as an electrolyte material has pulled in considerable consideration because of its remarkable novel applications. In this article, novel, dysprosium-doped (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) Bi4V2O11 (Dy/BVO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by sol-gel strategy. The photocatalyst Dy/BVO nanoparticles exhibit higher photocatalytic efficiency than BVO nanoparticles assessed by debasement of tetracycline drug under visible light illumination. Our work focuses on the phase transformation, conducting properties, and mechanisms of the Dy/BVO nanoparticles in relation to execute some methods of processing and manufacturing product in commercial applications. The characterization of Dy/BVO was performed by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and UV-vis analysis. ac impedance spectroscopy was used to analyze the conducting behavior of synthesized nanoparticles in the temperature range 100-600 °C. The photocatalytic activity revealed that Dy/BVO remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity. This is the first report that Dy/BVO can destroy the drug effluent which is coming from the drug industry and also worried about the human health hazards.

Deciphering the interaction of bovine heart cystatin with ZnO nanoparticles: Spectroscopic and thermodynamic approach.

ZnO-NPs have been widely used in biomedical fields such as therapeutics, cellular imaging, and drug delivery. However, the risk of exposure of nanoparticles to the biological system is not well understood. Nanoparticle-protein interaction is pivotal to understand their biological behavior and predict nanoparticle toxicity that is crucial for its safer applications. In the present study zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized and subjected to interact with buffalo heart cystatin (BHC), purified from buffalo heart, to assess the effect(s) of ZnO-NPs on the structure and function of BHC. In vitro toxicity assessments revealed that BHC, upon interaction with ZnO-NPs, led to the altered protein conformation and perturbed function. A decrease in the anti-papain activity of BHC was observed. Spectroscopic studies demonstrated that formation of BHC-ZnO-NPs complex accompanied by structural changes in BHC along with a significant decrease in its α-helical content. ITC determined the thermodynamic parameters of binding between ZnO-NPs and BHC quantitatively. Increased surface hydrophobicity (change in the tertiary structure) was observed by ANS fluorescence that demonstrated the formation of molten globular intermediates that were found to be stable without any signs of aggregation as depicted by ThT fluorescence. TEM images gave the physical evidence of the formation of ZnO-NPs-BHC corona.

Facile Algae-Derived Route to Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Properties.

Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles is of considerable interest, as it affords clean, biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective fabrication. Driven by their ability to withstand variable extremes of environmental conditions, several microorganisms, notably bacteria and fungi, have been investigated in the never-ending search for optimal nanomaterial production platforms. Here, we present a hitherto unexplored algal platform featuring Chlorella pyrenoidosa, which offers a high degree of consistency in morphology of synthesized silver nanoparticles. Using a suite of characterization methods, we reveal the intrinsic crystallinity of the algae-derived nanoparticles and the functional moieties associated with its surface stabilization. Significantly, we demonstrate the antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of these silver nanoparticles and discuss the potential mechanisms that drive these critical processes. The blend of photocatalytic and antibacterial properties coupled with their intrinsic biocompatibility and eco-friendliness make these nanoparticles particularly attractive for wastewater treatment.