Reinforcement using undoped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with a partially carbonized structure doubles the toughness of PVA membranes.

Nano-carbon-reinforced polymer composites have gained much consideration in functional applications due to their attractive mechanical strength and cost-effectiveness. The surface chemistry and associated mechanical strength of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and other carbon derivative-based nanocomposites are well understood. While CQDs are considered emerging carbon derivatives, their surface chemistry, unique physio-chemical properties, and dispersion behavior in polymers are yet to be explored. Therefore, in this work, CQDs with different structures were synthesized from lemon pulp and urea, and their rheology and mechanical strength were studied in the PVA matrix. The surface chemistry and structure of CQDs were controlled using different solvents and reaction temperatures, respectively. CQDs possessed a circular shape, with a size of <10 nm, having a suitable carbon core and functional groups, as confirmed by TEM and FTIR spectroscopy. The dynamic viscosity and particle size of PVA/CQDs films peaked at 4% inclusion due to the maximum crosslinking of U-CQDs with reinforcement at 180 °C. Compared with pure PVA, the optimized composite showed an 80% larger particle size with 67% better tensile strength at 4% U-CQDs concentration. In addition to enhanced mechanical strength, CQDs exhibited antibacterial activity in composites. These CQDs-reinforced PVA composites may be suitable for different functional textile applications (shape memory composites and photo-active textiles).

Correction: Carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-modified polymers: a review of non-optical applications.

Correction for 'Carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-modified polymers: a review of non-optical applications' by Zeeshan Latif et al., Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 2265-2288, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR04997C.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-modified polymers: a review of non-optical applications.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a promising candidate to replace metal-based additives for polymer reinforcement and functionalization. Specifically, vast interest in CQDs for polymer functionalization stems from their cost effectiveness, sustainable organic precursors, and their non-toxicity. Although several reviews of optical devices based on CQDs have been reported, this mini-review covers the non-optical aspects of CQD-polymer composites. Applications of CQD-modified polymers for smart devices, mechanical reinforcement, textile surface-modification methods, membranes, protective coatings, and thermal resistance are summarized. The synthesis method of CQDs, their dispersion in a polymer matrix and the underlying mechanisms related to the enhanced performance of composites are outlined. Unlike nano-reinforcements, CQDs are self-stabilized and offer an extremely high surface area, which significantly alters the polymer properties at a 1-2% concentration. Finally, a comparative analysis of recent advances in CQD-polymer composites, their problems, and future directions are discussed.

Direct Growth of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots on Co9S8 Passivated on Cotton Fabric as an Efficient Photoelectrode for Water Treatment.

Heterogeneous growth of photocatalysts on different porous substrates is a solution to avoid secondary pollution caused by composite photocatalysts themselves. However, the heterogeneous growth of composite photocatalysts with nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) inclusions-introduced during synthesis-impedes the direct growth on the substrate. To overcome this problem, NCQDs were grown on a Co9S8 (NCQDs-G@Co9S8) layer, decorated on cotton fabric. This optimal coupling mode of NCQDs and Co9S8 showed 54% degradation, compared to 33% dye degradation via NCQDs-doped Co9S8 (NCQDs-D@Co9S8). The change in the crystal structure and its lower loading on fabric results in significantly lower performance of NCQDs-D@Co9S8. Even with the combination of both surface growth and doping (NCQDs-DG@Co9S8), the performance was still limited to 42%. In addition, the optimum growth concentration of NCQDs on Co9S8 was observed for 7.5 w/w %, resulting in 92% photocatalytic activity (PCA) in 80 min. Comparing different surface states formed in NCQDs using different solvents, water-based surface states (oxygen-rich surface) are most suitable for the dye degradation. NCQDs-G@Co9S8 also offers 67% Cr-VI reduction to Cr-III, showing its suitability for both inorganic and organic compounds. Better electrode performance was related to suitable charge separation of the composite, where -OH groups mainly contribute in the photocatalytic dye degradation..

Comprehensive review on the molecular genetics of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH).

Primary microcephaly (MCPH) is an autosomal recessive sporadic neurodevelopmental ailment with a trivial head size characteristic that is below 3-4 standard deviations. MCPH is the smaller upshot of an architecturally normal brain; a significant decrease in size is seen in the cerebral cortex. At birth MCPH presents with non-progressive mental retardation, while secondary microcephaly (onset after birth) presents with and without other syndromic features. MCPH is a neurogenic mitotic syndrome nevertheless pretentious patients demonstrate normal neuronal migration, neuronal apoptosis and neural function. Eighteen MCPH loci (MCPH1-MCPH18) have been mapped to date from various populations around the world and contain the following genes: Microcephalin, WDR62, CDK5RAP2, CASC5, ASPM, CENPJ, STIL, CEP135, CEP152, ZNF335, PHC1, CDK6, CENPE, SASS6, MFSD2A, ANKLE2, CIT and WDFY3, clarifying our understanding about the molecular basis of microcephaly genetic disorder. It has previously been reported that phenotype disease is caused by MCB gene mutations and the causes of this phenotype are disarrangement of positions and organization of chromosomes during the cell cycle as a result of mutated DNA, centriole duplication, neurogenesis, neuronal migration, microtubule dynamics, transcriptional control and the cell cycle checkpoint having some invisible centrosomal process that can manage the number of neurons that are produced by neuronal precursor cells. Furthermore, researchers inform us about the clinical management of families that are suffering from MCPH. Establishment of both molecular understanding and genetic advocating may help to decrease the rate of this ailment. This current review study examines newly identified genes along with previously identified genes involved in autosomal recessive MCPH.