Preparation of Metal–Organic Frameworks UiO-66 for Adsorptive Removal of Methotrexate from Aqueous Solution

Parametrization of Zirconium for DFTB3/3OB: A Pathway to Study Complex Zr-Compounds for Biomedical and Material Science Applications

This work presents the extension of the semi-empirical density functional tight binding method, DFTB3, to include zirconium for biomedical and material science applications. The parametrization of Zr has been carried out in consistency with already established 3OB parameters including the elements C, H, N, O, S, P, Mg, Zn, Na, K, Ca, F, Cl, Br, and I. Zirconium-ligand association and reaction energies have been compared with results from quantum chemical calculations obtained at MP2 and DFT (PBE and B3LYP) level of theory, as well as with those from the semi-empirical methods DFTB2/PTBP and GFN2-xTB. A structural validation has been carried out on 1,897 compounds reported in the Cambridge Structural Database, revealing an average root mean square deviation comparable to that obtained at semi-empirical (DFTB2/PTBP and GFN2-xTB) level of theory and via the novel neural network potential MACE-MP-0. To provide a critical validation of the newly derived parameters, the structure of the biomedically relevant Zr-DFO complex has been evaluated with respect to a DFT (B3LYP) reference calculation. In addition, extensive DFTB3 MD simulations of the two prominent metal-organic frameworks UiO-66 and UiO-67 have been performed. The results demonstrate the applicability of the newly developed parameters for the study of zirconium-containing metal-organic frameworks, when compared to experimental measurements, as well as computational approaches.

Recent advances in nanomaterial-based adsorbents for removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater

To cope with the environmental risks posed by pharmaceutical waste, adsorption is considered a viable option due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. This review explores the opportunities and challenges involved in applying nanomaterial-based adsorbents in their metallic, non-metallic, and hybrid forms for removal of common pharmaceuticals (e.g., antibiotics, beta-blockers, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, endocrine disrupters, and anticancer drugs) from water. To improve the selectivity and scalability of diverse adsorbents against such targets, the adsorption capacity and partition coefficient (PC) of each adsorbent are evaluated. Among the reported materials, magnetic nitrogen-doped carbon displays the highest adsorption capacity (1563.7 mg g-1) for common targets such as ciprofloxacin, while carbon nanotube-SiO2-Al2O3 has the highest PC (1425 mg g-1 μM-1) for estradiol. Despite the advances in adsorption technologies, their commercial applications are yet limited by several defects such as low efficiency, high costs, and poor scalability. This review examines current strategies for addressing pharmaceutical contamination and outlines potential directions for future research.

Effect of magnetized solvent on the porosity of magnetic graphene oxide@zirconium-based metal-organic framework sorbent for efficient extraction of remdesivir

In this study, the effect of magnetized solvent on the synthesis and properties of magnetic graphene oxide@UiO-66 (MGO@UiO-66) nanocomposite as sorbent was investigated. The prepared sorbent was used for the magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of remdesivir drug from water and plasma samples. The extracted remdesivir was quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). The MGO@UiO-66 sorbents were characterized using various techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brauer-emmett-teller analysis (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and vibrating-sample magnetometry. The optimization of extraction parameters such as desorption solvent and its volume, sorbent amount, pH, desorption conditions, and extraction time were investigated and studied. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration plot for remdesivir was linear within the range of 0.1-300 ng mL-1 and limits of detection (0.03 ng mL-1). The MSPE-HPLC-PDA method showed good extraction recovery and relative standard deviations (RSD%) in the range of 95.5-99.5 % and 3.8-4.7 %, respectively. Furthermore, the method that was effectively utilized to analyze remdesivir in water and plasma samples, resulted in relative recoveries ranging from 95.5 % to 99.3 %.

Nanogel-dressed Candida rugosa lipase: Enhanced biocatalysis through hierarchically porous metal organic frameworks' integration

Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) is a multifunctional biological macromolecule extensively employed in biocatalysis, but its stability and reusability remain significant challenges. This study investigates the immobilization of CRL nanogels onto hierarchically porous metal-organic frameworks (HP-MOFs), possessing adjustable porosity, high surface area, and stability, making them ideal for enzyme immobilization. CRL nanogels were synthesized and immobilized onto three different HP-MOFs: hZIF-8, HP-UiO-66-NH₂, and HP-CuBTC via adsorption. The HP-MOFs were synthesized using soft templating, post-synthetic ligand substitution, and rapid room-temperature templating, ensuring high porosity and structural integrity. The CRL nanogels, characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence spectroscopy, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were encapsulated in polyacrylamide nanogels, suggesting a hydrophobic environment within the matrix. Comprehensive characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TEM, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed successful immobilization while preserving structural integrity. Enzyme kinetics analysis revealed that the nanoCRL@HP-MOF composites exhibited significantly enhanced enzymatic activity, stability, and reusability compared to free CRL. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first demonstration of CRL nanogel immobilization on multiple HP-MOFs, providing valuable insights into their potential as enzyme carriers with promising applications in biotechnological processes.

Dual-network sodium alginate-chitosan aerogel loaded with UiO-66 for efficient removal of organic pollutants in water: Preparation and mechanism study

Organic pollutants in wastewater pose severe threats to human health and ecosystems. This study used maleic anhydride to adjust chitosan's (CA) surface charge, enhancing solubility and forming a homogenous solution with sodium alginate (SA). Glutaraldehyde cross-linking created a water-stable double network sodium alginate/chitosan composite aerogel (SCCA). UiO-66 was in-situ loaded to produce UiO-66@SCCA, a high-specific-surface-area biopolymer for removing pollutants like ibuprofen (IBP) and methyl orange (MO). UiO-66@SCCA had a surface area of 302.65 m2/g and a UiO-66 loading rate of 48.77 %. Factors affecting adsorption efficiency (time, pH, adsorbent, coexisting ions) were studied. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherms, with maximum capacities of 67.39 mg/g for IBP and 45.22 mg/g for MO. Efficiency all remained above 90 % after five cycles. Mechanisms included hydrogen bonding, pore filling, electrostatic interactions, and Electron Donor - Acceptor (EDA) interactions. UiO-66@SCCA shows significant potential for pollutant removal.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of prepared thymol@UIO-66 and thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 nanoparticles against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A synergistic approach

This study introduces a novel approach to enhance the antibacterial properties of UIO-66 by incorporating both Thymol and ZnO nanoparticles within its framework which represents a significant advancement like exhibiting a synergistic antibacterial effect, providing a prolonged and controlled release, and mitigating cytotoxicity associated with the release of free ZnO nanoparticles by combining these two antimicrobial agents within a single, well-defined metal-organic framework. UIO-66 frameworks are investigated as carriers for the natural antimicrobial agent, Thymol, and ZnONPs offering a novel drug delivery system for antibacterial applications. Results demonstrated 132, 90, 184, and 223 nm sizes for UIO-66, ZnONPs, UIO-66 encapsulated Thymol, and UIO-66 encapsulated both Thymol and ZnONPs, respectively. Successful encapsulation of the antibacterial drug with a high entrapment efficiency of 64 % for Thymol was approved, and 49 % in-vitro release of Thymol was achieved for 72 hours. In-vitro antibacterial assays revealed promising results, with the drug-loaded nanoparticles exhibiting significantly lower MIC values and enhanced bactericidal activity against S. Aureus bacterial strains compared to the free drug, as demonstrated by agar disk diffusion and time-kill assays. MIC values reduced from a range of 31.25-250 µg/ml for free Thymol and 12.5-100 µg/ml for free ZnONPs to 3.9-62.5 µg/ml for Thymol@UIO-66 and 1.95-15.63 µg/ml for Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66. According to the results, the mixture of both Thymol and ZnONPs had 41 % and 16 % more antibiofilm activities in comparison with free Thymol and free ZnONPs, respectively. Furthermore, Thymol@UIO-66 had 25 % higher antibiofilm activities relative to not-encapsulated Thymol and ZnONPs, and this improvement was even 46 % more in Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 in comparison with Thymol@UIO-66. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of Thymol/ZnONPs@UIO-66 frameworks as a promising drug delivery platform for effective antibacterial therapy. This approach to overcome antibiotic resistance and improve treatment efficacy potentially.

Porous MIL, ZIF, and UiO metal-organic frameworks for adsorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a newly identified category of emerging global pollutants often found in aquatic systems. Efficient removal of these pollutants from the water/wastewater is currently problematic because of their low biodegradability and high hydrophilicity, as well as their distinct physicochemical features and lower concentrations. Materials of Institut Lavoisier (MIL), Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF), and University of Oslo (UiO) are highly engineered metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) composed of unique components necessary for the formation of crystals with exceptional porosity, large surface areas, large pore sizes, crystalline structures, tunable properties, excellent chemical and thermal stability for environmental remediation. This study provides detailed and combined applications of UiOs, MILs, and ZIFs as adsorbents for capturing the new class of emerging pollutants (PPCPs) from the liquid phase. MOFs as ideal candidates for PPCP decontamination were discussed, followed by the MOF porosity and factors that affect MOF stability. Various synthetic approaches for MILs, ZIFs, and UiOs were discussed, as well as their corresponding pros and cons. An in-depth performance of these three MOFs for adsorptive removal of PPCPs from the liquid phase was discussed, assessing the state-of-the-art for specific applications and the effectiveness of UiOs, MILs, and ZIFs as adsorbents for PPCP decontamination . The unique performance garnered from the study provided a way forward/potential for real-life/practical applications of these sorbents and insight into corresponding mechanisms and synergistic relationships. To foster the advancement of the field, viable shortcomings and strengths associated with these novel classes of MOFs, treatment options, and knowledge gaps to explore specific research directives for large-scale or industrial-scale applications were highlighted.

Enhancing corrosion resistance and self-healing of water-borne epoxy coatings using Ti3C2Tx-supported tannic acid on UIO-66-NH2

In this study, we developed a composite material comprising UIO-66-NH2 encapsulated tannic acid (TA) loaded on Ti3C2Tx to improve the corrosion resistance of water borne epoxy (WEP) coatings. The successful synthesis of the material was determined by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, EDS, TGA, SEM and TEM characterization. Furthermore, ultraviolet (UV)tests were conducted to evaluate the release rate of TA at varying pH levels, revealing a release rate of approximately 95 % at pH 2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results over 60 d indicated that the Rc value of TU-T/WEP remained unchanged at 3.934 × 108, demonstrating a two-order magnitude increase compared to those of pure epoxy coatings, attributed to the synergistic active and passive protection of TU-T materials. The self-healing ability of the TU-T/WEP coating was validated through manual scratch experiments. Additionally, the EIS test showed that the Rc value of TU-T/WEP coating increased to 3.5 × 105 after 72 h, representing a two-order magnitude increase over that of the WEP coating alone. This study introduces a novel approach using green tannic acid as a corrosion inhibitor and amino-functionalized Ti3C2Tx with UIO-66-NH2 to enhance corrosion resistance and self-healing aproperties of coatings.

Experimental Elucidation of a Cubane Water Cluster in the Hydrophobic Cavity of UiO-66

Nanoscale water plays a pivotal role in determining the properties and functionalities of materials, and the precise control of its quantity and atomic-scale ordered structure is a focal point in nanotechnology and chemistry. Several studies have theoretically discussed the nano-ordered ice within one- or two-dimensional space and without confinement through hydrogen bonds. In particular, the water cluster has been predicted to play a significant role in biomolecules or functional nanomaterials; however, there has been little experimental evidence for their presence in hydrophobic cavities. In this study, the cubane water octamer - the most stable isomer among small water clusters - was detected within the hydrophobic cavities of UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks, revealing the presence of the smallest ice in their hydrophobic cavity, in the absence of hydrogen bonding. This observation contrasts earlier examples of water clusters confined within nanocavities through hydrogen bonds and provides experimental evidence for water-cluster capturing within hydrophobic cavities. Consequently, our renewed understanding of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity warrants a design re-evaluation of materials for chemical applications, including fuel cells, water harvesting, catalysts, and batteries.

A novel pillar-layered MOF with urea linkers as a capable catalyst for synthesis of new 1,8-naphthyridines via the anomeric-based oxidation

Metal-based catalysts play an essential role in organic chemistry and the chemical industry. This research designed and successfully synthesized a pillar-layered metal-organic framework (MOF) with the urea linkers, namely Basu-HDI, as a novel and efficient heterogeneous catalyst. Various techniques such as FT-IR, EDX, elemental mapping, SEM, XRD, BET, and TGA/DTA studied its structure and morphology. Then, we investigated the synthesis of new 1,8-naphthyridines utilizing Basu-HDI in mild conditions via a one-pot, three-component tandem Knoevenagel/Michael/ cyclization/anomeric-based oxidation reaction. Final products were achieved by anomeric-based oxidation without employing an oxidation agent. Remarkably, this tandem process gave a good range of new 1,8-naphthyridines with high yields in a short reaction time. The pure products were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry techniques. Moreover, the introduced catalyst showed good efficiency and stability and can be reused four times without significantly reducing efficiency.

Integrated electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonium nitrate from dilute NO gas on metal organic frameworks-modified gas diffusion electrodes

The electrocatalytic conversion of NO offers a promising technology for not only removing the air pollutant but also synthesizing valuable chemicals. We design an integrated-electrocatalysis cell featuring metal organic framework (MOF)-modified gas diffusion electrodes for simultaneous capture of NO and generation of NH4NO3 under low-concentration NO flow conditions. Using 2% NO gas, the modified cathode exhibits a higher NH4+ yield and Faradaic efficiency than an unmodified cathode. Notably, the modified cathode shows a twofold increase in NH4+ production with 20 ppm NO gas supply. Theoretical calculations predict favorable transfer of adsorbed NO from the adsorption layer to the catalyst layer, which is experimentally confirmed by enhanced NO mass transfer from gas to electrolyte across the modified electrode. The adsorption layer-modified anode also exhibits a higher NO3- yield for NO electro-oxidation compared to the unmodified electrode under low NO concentration flow. Among various integrated-cell configurations, a single-chamber setup produces a higher NH4NO3 yield than a double-chamber setup. Furthermore, a higher NO utilization efficiency is obtained with a single-gasline operation mode, where the NO-containing gas flows sequentially from the cathode to the anode.

Investigation of pantoprazole loading and release from a magnetic-coated chitosan-modified zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) as a nanocarrier in targeted drug delivery systems

This study reports a novel magnetic and porous nanocomposite, Fe3O4@CS@UIO-66-NH2(Zr), developed by growing a zirconium-based metal-organic framework on magnetite-chitosan. It is designed for targeted and delayed pantoprazole delivery, the nanocomposite exhibits pH-sensitive behavior and functions as an efficient nanocarrier. The synthesis process involved coating magnetite nanoparticles with chitosan, followed by the growth of UIO-66-NH2(Zr) on the coated nanoparticles. The nanocomposite demonstrated high drug loading efficiency (DLE) in acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and deionized water, with loading percentages of 79% and 75%, respectively, within 48 hours. The corresponding drug loading content (DLC) was approximately 14% and 10%. The Freundlich and Langmuir models accurately described the multilayer adsorption behavior of pantoprazole on the nanocomposite's active sites. BET and EDX-map analyses confirmed that the drug was loaded into the nanocomposite's pores and uniformly adsorbed on its surface. The drug release kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Due to its porosity, magnetic properties, and favorable drug loading characteristics, the Fe3O4@CS@UIO-66-NH2(Zr) nanocomposite shows potential as an efficient targeted drug delivery system for in vivo applications.

Collaborative adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of high concentration pharmaceutical pollutants in water using a novel dendritic fibrous nano-silica modified with chitosan and UiO-66

This study presents a novel hybrid mesoporous material for degrading drug pollutants in water. The hybrid materials, derived from UiO-66 metal-organic framework and chitosan, coated on nano-silica, showed excellent drug adsorption through hydrogen-bonding interactions and efficient photodegradation of antibiotics. The hybrid material's enhanced conductivity and reduced band gap significantly improved pollution reduction by minimising electron-hole recombination. This allows for more efficient charge transport and better light absorption, boosting the material's ability to break down pollutants. Structural and morphological analyses were conducted using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Optimising the adsorption-photodegradation process involved investigating pH, catalyst dose, and radiation time. Non-linear optimisation revealed an efficiency exceeding 85 % for 400 mg/L tetracycline and doxycycline, the model antibiotics. The optimal parameters for maximal elimination were determined as pH = 4.3, hybrid mesosphere dose = 4.0 mg/mL, and radiation time = 10 min. Kinetic studies favored pseudo-second-order diffusion models over pseudo-first-order models. The hybrid mesosphere showed sustained efficiency after three cycles and performed well in real aqueous samples, removing over 80 % of each antibiotic. This study demonstrates the potential of the hybrid mesoporous material for removing pharmaceutical pollutants in water systems.

Synthesis and Characterization of MOF-Derived Structures: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Due to their facile tunability, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are employed as precursors and templates to construct advanced functional materials with unique and desired chemical, physical, mechanical, and morphological properties. By tuning MOF precursor composition and manipulating conversion processes, various MOF-derived materials commonly known as MOF derivatives can be constructed. The possibility of controlled and predictable properties makes MOF derivatives a preferred choice for numerous advanced technological applications. The innovative synthetic designs besides the plethora of interdisciplinary characterization approaches applicable to MOF derivatives provide the opportunity to perform a myriad of experiments to explore the performance and offer key insight to develop the next generation of advanced materials. Though there are many published works of literature describing various synthesis and characterization techniques of MOF derivatives, it is still not clear how the synthesis mechanism works and what are the best techniques to characterize these materials to probe their properties accurately. In this review, the recent development in synthesis techniques and mechanisms for a variety of MOF derivates such as MOF-derived metal oxides, porous carbon, composites/hybrids, and sulfides is summarized. Furthermore, the details of characterization techniques and fundamental working principles are summarized to probe the structural, mechanical, physiochemical, electrochemical, and electronic properties of MOF and MOF derivatives. The future trends and some remaining challenges in the synthesis and characterization of MOF derivatives are also discussed.

CLICK-FLISA Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks for Simultaneous Detection of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and Zearalenone (ZEN) in Maize

Mycotoxins are secondary products produced primarily by fungi and are pathogens of animals and cereals, not only affecting agriculture and the food industry but also causing great economic losses. The development of rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of mycotoxins in food is of great significance for livelihood issues. This study employed an amino-functionalized zirconium luminescent metal-organic framework (LOF) (i.e., UiO-66-NH2). Click chemistry was utilized to assemble UiO-66-NH2 in a controlled manner, generating LOF assemblies to serve as probes for fluorescence-linked immunoassays. The proposed fluoroimmunoassay method for Zearalenone (ZEN) and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) detection based on the UiO-66-NH2 assembled probe (CLICK-FLISA) afforded a linear response range of 1-20 μmol/L for ZEN, 20 μmol/L for FB1, and a very low detection limit (0.048-0.065 μmol/L for ZEN; 0.048-0.065 μmol/L for FB1). These satisfying results demonstrate promising applications for on-site quick testing in practical sample analysis. Moreover, the amino functionalization may also serve as a modification strategy to design luminescent sensors for other food contaminants.

Adsorptive removal of diclofenac sodium from aqueous solution by highly efficient metal organic framework (UiO-66)/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite

In the current study, synthesis and use of a novel adsorbent (composite in nature) are presented for treatment of one of the most commonly found pharmaceutical compound, viz, diclofenac sodium (DCF) in waste water. Synthesis of the composite adsorbent was done by hydrothermal method metal organic framework (MOF) based on Zr metal and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The composite adsorbent is termed as UiO-66/MWCNT. The confirmation of successful synthesis of the adsorbent is done with the help of sophisticated characterization techniques like FTIR, XRD, zeta potential analyser, and SEM. The synthesized composite adsorbent is found to have good adsorption capacity for DCF. The experiments related to the process of adsorption were done in batch mode and the significance of various operating parameters affecting the specific uptake of DCF. Maximum adsorption is observed at 3 pH (acidic condition) when the initial concentration of DCF and adsorbent dose was 30 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model best describes the process of adsorption with a maximum adsorption capacity of 256.41 mg/g. Experimental results obtained through the studies conducted related to the kinetics displayed that the process followed pseudo-second order model, and intraparticle studies suggested that diffusion through pores controls the rate. Thermodynamic studies suggest that the adsorption of DCF on UiO-66/MWCNT was completely spontaneous with ΔH = -22.089 kJ/mol. The possible mechanism for the adsorptive removal of DCF through UiO-66/MWCNT as found from this study is electrostatic interaction.

A new MOF-based modified adsorbent for the efficient removal of Hg(ii) ions from aqueous media: isotherms and kinetics

Herein, a new MOF-based modified adsorbent for the efficient removal of Hg(ii) ions from water media was successfully prepared. Initially, a MOF nanocomposite was synthesized and applied as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of the target heavy metal ion. Following the synthesis, the MOF-based modified adsorbent was identified and characterized by SEM, XRD and FT-IR analytical instruments. The impact of several key variables such as pH of aqueous solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration of the analyte of interest on the adsorption efficiency was also investigated in detail. Under the optimal conditions established (pH, 3; dose of adsorbent, 0.4 g L-1; contact time, 40 min and the analyte's concentration of 1 mg L-1) the removal efficiency of 96.3% for Hg(ii) was obtained. The results of the studies on the isotherm and kinetics of adsorption revealed that the adsorption process of Hg(ii) matched with the Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.990) and the pseudo 2nd-order kinetic models (R2 > 0.998). Additionally, reuse of the applied adsorbent for five consecutive tests exhibited a small percentage of drop (about 8%) in the removal efficiency of the target ion. Finally, the results indicated that the MOF-based modified compound could be potentially applied as a highly efficacious adsorbent for the discharge of Hg(ii) from aquatic media.

Design and Machine Learning Prediction of In Situ Grown PDA-Stabilized MOF (UiO-66-NH2) Membrane for Low-Pressure Separation of Emulsified Oily Wastewater

Significant progress has been made in designing advanced membranes; however, persistent challenges remain due to their reduced permeation rates and a propensity for substantial fouling. These factors continue to pose significant barriers to the effective utilization of membranes in the separation of oil-in-water emulsions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered promising materials for such applications; however, they encounter three key challenges when applied to the separation of oil from water: (a) lack of water stability; (b) difficulty in producing defect-free membranes; and (c) unresolved issue of stabilizing the MOF separating layer on the ceramic membrane (CM) support. In this study, a defect-free hydrolytically stable zirconium-based MOF separating layer was formed through a two-step method: first, by in situ growth of UiO-66-NH2 MOF into the voids of polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized CM during the solvothermal process, and then by facilitating the self-assembly of UiO-66-NH2 with PDA using a pressurized dead-end assembly. A stable MOF separating layer was attained by enriching the ceramic support with amines and hydroxyl groups using PDA, which assisted in the assembly and stabilization of UiO-66-NH2. The PDA-s-UiO-66-NH2-CM membrane displayed air superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity, demonstrating its oil resistance and high antifouling behavior. The PDA-s-UiO-66-NH2-CM membrane has shown exceptionally high permeability and separation capacity for challenging oil-in-water emulsions. This is attributed to numerous nanochannels from the membrane and its high resistance to oil adhesion. The membranes showed excellent stability over 15 continuous test cycles, which indicates that the developed MOFs separating layers have a low tendency to be clogged by oil droplets during separation. Machine learning-based Gaussian process regression (GPR) models as nonparametric kernel-based probabilistic models were employed to predict the performance efficiency of the PDA-s-UiO-66-NH2-CM membrane in oil-in-water separation. The outcomes were compared with the support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT) algorithm. This efficiency includes various metrics related to its separation accuracy, and the models were developed through feature engineering to identify and utilize the most significant factors affecting the membrane's performance. The results proved the reliability of GPR optimization with the highest prediction accuracy in the validation phase. The average percentage increase of the GPR model compared to the SVM and DT model was 6.11 and 42.94%, respectively.

Fabrication and characterization of a Bi2O3-modified chitosan@ZIF-8 nanocomposite for enhanced drug loading-releasing efficacy

In this study, a simple novel hybrid mesoporous nanomaterial derived from a metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) and chitosan, which were coated on green bismuth oxide, has been successfully synthesized, characterized, and applied to investigate its dapsone loading-releasing capability in the aqueous media. This suggested nanocomposite showed promise for drug loading from water b using hydrogen bonds, pi-pi, and electrostatic interactions. Structural and morphological analyses were performed on the proposed green synthesized nanocomposite through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Various influencing parameters, including pH, nanocomposite dose, and contact time, were investigated to optimize the dapsone loading process. Utilizing the non-linear optimization methodology, the results show that dapsone-loading efficiency was >85 % for 50 mg.L-1 of dapsone drug. The optimum parameters for achieving maximal loading of dapsone drug were pH = 6.8, hybrid mesosphere dose = 2.6 mg.mL-1, and time = 53 min. Based on the release investigations, the dapsone-loaded nanocomposite was put into phosphate buffer saline, at pH = 7.4 and T = 37 °C, with a maximum efficiency of 93.9 after 24 h.

Development of a novel bionanocomposite of UiO-66/xanthan gum/alginate crosslinked by calcium chloride for azo dye removal: Insight into adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics

In the present work, UiO-66/xanthan gum/alginate bionanocomposite adsorbent was fabricated using the in-situ crosslinking-gelation method, characterized by different techniques, and finally used for the removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were performed using batch experiments and the influencing operational parameters such as contact time, initial pH solution, temperature, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose, pHPZC, swelling, regeneration, and reuse of the adsorbent were investigated. The various kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion) and isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich) were used to analysis of the experiment results. The results were best fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity of dye on the adsorbent was obtained at 9.96 mg/g at pH = 11. The value of pHPZC for the adsorbent was obtained at about 8. According to thermodynamic parameters, the dye adsorption was found as spontaneous and endothermic due to the negative value of the ΔG° and ΔH°. After 4 times of reusability cycles, the adsorption efficiency remained above 86 %, which represented a certain regeneration ability. As a result, this research indicates that UiO-66/xanthan gum/alginate bionanocomposite can be utilized as a promising bio-adsorbent for azo dye removal from contaminated wastewater.

Light-induced MOF synthesis enabling composite photothermal materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials known for their large surface areas. Thus, over the past few decades the development of MOFs and their applications has been a major topic of interest throughout the scientific community. However, many current conventional syntheses of MOFs are lengthy solvothermal processes carried out at elevated temperatures. Herein, we developed a rapid light-induced synthesis of MOFs by harnessing the plasmonic photothermal abilities of bipyramidal gold nanoparticles (AuBPs). The generality of the photo-induced method was demonstrated by synthesizing four different MOFs utilizing three different wavelengths (520 nm, 660 nm and 850 nm). Furthermore, by regulating light exposure, AuBPs could be embedded in the MOF or maintained in the supernatant. Notably, the AuBPs-embedded MOF (AuBP@UIO-66) retained its plasmonic properties along with the extraordinary surface area typical to MOFs. The photothermal AuBP@UIO-66 demonstrated a significant light-induced heating response that was utilized for ultrafast desorption and MOF activation.

Identification of potential regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic targets for lung cancer

Lung cancer poses a significant health threat globally, especially in regions like India, with 5-year survival rates remain alarmingly low. Our study aimed to uncover key markers for effective treatment and early detection. We identified specific genes related to lung cancer using the BioXpress database and delved into their roles through DAVID enrichment analysis. By employing network theory, we explored the intricate interactions within lung cancer networks, identifying ASPM and MKI67 as crucial regulator genes. Predictions of microRNA and transcription factor interactions provided additional insights. Examining gene expression patterns using GEPIA and KM Plotter revealed the clinical relevance of these key genes. In our pursuit of targeted therapies, Drug Bank pointed to methotrexate as a potential drug for the identified key regulator genes. Confirming this, molecular docking studies through Swiss Dock showed promising binding interactions. To ensure stability, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations using the AMBER 16 suite. In summary, our study pinpoints ASPM and MKI67 as vital regulators in lung cancer networks. The identification of hub genes and functional pathways enhances our understanding of molecular processes, offering potential therapeutic targets. Importantly, methotrexate emerged as a promising drug candidate, supported by robust docking and simulation studies. These findings lay a solid foundation for further experimental validations and hold promise for advancing personalized therapeutic strategies in lung cancer.

UiO-66-NH2 Metal-Organic Framework for the Detection of Alzheimer's Biomarker Aβ (1-42)

Neurodegenerative disorders pose a significant challenge to global healthcare, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being one of the most prevalent forms. Early and accurate detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) (1-42) monomers, a key biomarker of AD pathology, is crucial for effective diagnosis and intervention of the disease. Current gold standard detection techniques for Aβ include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance. Although reliable, they are limited by their cost and time-consuming nature, thus restricting their point-of-care applicability. Here we present a sensitive and rapid colorimetric sensor for the detection of Aβ (1-42) monomers within 5 min. This was achieved by harnessing the peroxidase-like activity of metal-loaded metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically UiO-66-NH2, coupled with the strong affinity of Aβ (1-42) to the MOFs. Various metal-loaded MOFs were synthesized and investigated, and platinum-loaded UiO-66-NH2 was identified as the optimal candidate for our purpose. The Pt-loaded UiO-66-NH2 sensor demonstrated detection limits of 2.76 and 4.65 nM Aβ (1-42) monomers in water and cerebrospinal fluid, respectively, with a linear range from 0.75 to 25 nM (R2 = 0.9712), outperforming traditional detection techniques in terms of both detection time and complexity. Moreover, the assay was specific toward Aβ (1-42) monomers when evaluated against interfering compounds. The rapid and cost-effective sensor may help circumvent the limitations of conventional detection methods, thus providing a promising avenue for early AD diagnosis and facilitating improved clinical outcomes.

Thermally-activated gelatin-chitosan-MOF hybrid aerogels for efficient removal of ibuprofen and naproxen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most frequently used drugs and have been frequently detected in aquatic environments. This paper demonstrates a thermally-activated gelatin-chitosan and amine-functionalized metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH2) aerogel (CGC-MOF), which was successfully synthesized for the efficient removal of ibuprofen (IBP) and naproxen (NPX). Various characterization tools were used to systematically analyze the microstructure and physicochemical properties of the synthesized aerogel. In addition, the effect of key reaction parameters as well as batch and continuous-flow fixed-bed column experiments were carried out to elucidate the adsorption process. Several functional groups in the biopolymer network, combined with excellent MOF properties, synergistically couple to form an adsorbent with great performance. The mesoporous aerogel activated at 200 °C (CGC-MOF200) exhibited a high specific surface area (819.6 m2/g) that is valuable in providing abundant adsorption active sites that facilitate the efficient adsorption of IBP and NPX. CGC-MOF200 exhibited an excellent removal of IBP and NPX, accounting to 99.28 % and 96.39 %, respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm models, suggesting heterogeneous and chemisorption adsorption processes. Overall, this work provides new and valuable insights into the development of a promising biopolymer-MOF composite aerogel for environmental remediation.

Effective adsorption of amoxicillin by using UIO-66@ Cr-MIL-101 nanohybrid: isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic, and optimization by central composite design

In this research, the amoxicillin (AMX) removal was studied on a prepared nanosorbent from MOFs. The aim of this research work is to prepare nanohybrids based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as an efficient nanosorbent for the absorption of amoxicillin drug. In this study, UIO-66 nanoparticles (UIO-66 NPs) were prepared from Zirconium (Zr) metal and 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid (BDC). Then UIO-66@Cr-MIL-101 nanohybrid was synthesized by hydrothermal method. Structural and physicochemical properties of nanohybrid UIO-66@Cr-MIL-101 were characterized by different analyses such as X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), therapeutic goods administration (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The effect of four fundamental variables effective on adsorption was optimized by the central composite response surface methodology (CCRSM). This parameters including loading percentage of Cr-MIL-101 NPs (10-30%), initial concentration of AMX (20-140 mg L-1), contact time (20-60 min), and pH (20-10). The removal percentage (Re%) of AMX equal to 99.50% was obtained under the following conditions: The loading value of 20% Wt%, the initial concentration of AMX 80 mg L-1, contact time 20 min, and pH = 6. Also, the experimental data were investigated with famous kinetic models and isotherms, and it was observed that AMX removal by nanohybrid is correlated with the PSO kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm.

Enhancement of the catalytic performance of UIO-66 for the CO2 synthesis of cyclic carbonate using natural nanomaterials as a carrier

One of the environmentally friendly methods is the intelligent utilization of natural one-dimensional nanomaterials as carriers to improve the CO2 catalytic performance of MOF materials. This paper reports an efficient composite catalyst preparation using a cheap and readily available magnesium-aluminosilicate nanometer, attapulgite (ATP), as a carrier for MOF materials. Due to its Lewis acidic site and unique alkaline pore structure, ATP exhibits excellent catalytic activity in the coupling reaction of CO2 with epoxy compounds, and its regular one-dimensional nanorod shape has tremendous potential as a carrier compared to other natural minerals. Given the diversity of MOF material types and structures, the design of this UIO-66/ATP nanocomposite catalyst provides both a new pathway for CO2 capture and conversion and a developmental space for the synthesis of such nanocomposites.

UiO-66 octahedrons for adsorptive removal of direct blue-6: process optimization, interaction mechanism, and phytotoxicity assessment

The materials for water treatment have been evolving in multitude of dimensions, indicating the importance of water reuse and increasing level of water pollution around the globe. Among the various materials that are utilized in wastewater treatment, the material that has attracted the research community for the past decades is the metal organic framework (MOF). In this work one of the water stable and microporous MOF, UiO-66, and its aminated version has been employed to adsorb an anionic azo dye, direct blue-6 (DB-6), from the aqueous matrix. Performance of both the MOFs was compared to know the efficiency under varying solution conditions. The optimized parameters for DB-6 adsorption by UiO-66 was performed using response surface methodology. This numerical optimization was further extended with canonical and ridge analysis. Under optimal conditions, the materials were exhibiting a good adsorption capacity of 754.4 mg/g. The materials were analyzed in terms of morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface area using instruments like X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and BET surface area analysis. The mechanism of interaction between UiO-66 and DB-6 molecule was elucidated with the help of XPS analysis which helps to know the main interacting group of UiO-66. This study was concluded with a phytotoxicity analysis of DB-6 and the antioxidant system of Vigna radiata assessed using pre and post adsorbed water.

Methotrexate-conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles exert a substantially improved cytotoxic effect on lung cancer cells by inducing apoptosis

In the current study, we report the synthesis of methotrexate-conjugated zinc oxide nanoparticles (MTX-ZnONPs) and their high efficacy against lung cancer cells. Conjugation of MTX with ZnONPs was authenticated by UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This drug-nanoconjugate also showed high drug-loading efficiency. The therapeutic efficacy of MTX-ZnONPs was further tested in vitro against A549 cells, and the results of MTT and LDH release assays showed that MTX-ZnONPs, in addition to free MTX, were efficient in exerting cytotoxic effect on A549 cells; however, the effectiveness of MTX-ZnONPs was found to be considerably enhanced at very low doses compared to that of free MTX. Moreover, ZnONPs alone significantly inhibited the cell viability of A549 cells at a much higher concentration compared to MTX-ZnONPs and MTX. Furthermore, the cytomorphology of A549 cells was characterized by cellular shrinkage and detachment from the surface in all the treatment groups. Similarly, A549 cells, in all the treatment groups, showed fragmented and condensed nuclei, indicating the initiation of apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ψm) in A549 cells showed a gradual loss in all the treatment groups. Results of the qualitative and quantitative analyses depicted increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in A549 cells. The results of the caspase activity assay showed that MTX-ZnONPs andfree MTX caused significant activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3 in A549 cells; however, the effect of MTX-ZnONPs was more profound at very low doses compared to that of free MTX. Thus, our results showed high efficacy of MTX-ZnONPs, suggesting efficient intracellular delivery of the drug by ZnONPs as nanocarriers.

Electrospun mesh pattern of polyvinyl alcohol/zirconium-based metal-organic framework nanocomposite as a sorbent for extraction of phthalate esters

Herein, an electrospun composite polyvinyl alcohol/zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (PVA@UiO-66) nanofiber coating was prepared on the surface of stainless steel mesh (SSM) and then utilized as novel sorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters (PEs) in milk and water samples. Gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was used for the quantitative determination of extracted analytes. The SSM coated with PVA@UiO-66 was used in a polypropylene syringe to fabricate the solid-phase extraction (SPE) device. The PVA@UiO-66 nanofiber coating was confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The effective parameters of the extraction efficiency including volume and type of desorption solvent, sample volume, ionic strength, pH, extraction flow rate, and desorption flow rate were optimized. At the optimal extraction conditions, the calibration plots for phthalate esters were linear within the range of 0.05-100 ng mL-1 and, low detection limits (0.015-0.06 ng mL-1). Finally, this semi-automated SPE was used for the extraction and detection of phthalate esters (PEs) in milk and various environmental real water samples. The results showed good precision with acceptable and satisfactory extraction recovery values ranging from 89.5 to 99.2% and relative standard deviations (RSDs%) ranging from 4.5 to 6.9%.

Novel UiO-NH2-like Zr-Based MOF (Basu-DPU) as an Excellent Catalyst for Preparation of New 6H-Chromeno[4,3-b]quinolin-6-ones

A new two-fold interpenetrated pillar-layered metal-organic framework (MOF) was designed and synthesized based on zirconium cations, an amine-functionalized ligand, and a linear exo-bidentate bis-pyridine ligand. The structure of the prepared framework was evaluated using various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹³C NMR, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), elemental mapping analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Then, catalytic application of the prepared zirconium-based MOF was successfully explored in the synthesis of novel 6H-chromeno[4,3-b]quinolin-6-ones 4(a-l) through a one-pot three-component condensation reaction of 4-hydroxycumarine, 1-naphthylamine, and aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free conditions at 110 °C. The pure products were obtained with high atom efficiency (AE) and short reaction times and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and mass spectrometry techniques.

Nanocellulose-based aerogels for water purification: A review

Water purification using thin membranes at high pressures through adsorption and size exclusion is the widely used mechanism due to its simplicity and enhanced efficiency compared to other traditional water purification methods. Aerogels have the potential to replace conventional thin membranes considering their unmatched adsorption/absorption capacity and higher water flux due to their unique highly porous (99 %) 3D structure, ultra-low density (~1.1 to 500 mg/cm³), and very high surface area. The availability of a large number of functional groups, surface tunability, hydrophilicity, tensile strength and flexibility of nanocellulose (NC) makes it a potential candidate for aerogel preparation. This review discusses the preparation and employment of NC-based aerogels in the removal of dyes, metal ions and oils/organic solvents. It also offers recent updates on the effect of various parameters that enhance its adsorption/absorption performance. The future perspectives of NC aerogels and their performance with the emerging materials chitosan and graphene oxide are also compared.

NH2-Modified UiO-66: Structural Characteristics and Functional Properties

The development of new functional materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for adsorption and catalytic applications is one of the promising trends of modern materials science. The Zr-based MOFs, specifically UiO-66, are considered as the supports for metallic catalysts for the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural platform molecule reduction into valuable products. The present work focused on the effect of NH₂ modification of UiO-66 on its structure and functional properties. The samples were prepared by a solvothermal method. The structure of the obtained materials was studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. Basic properties were investigated by HCl and CH₃COOH adsorption, and electrokinetic properties were studied by electrophoretic light scattering. UiO-66-NH₂ samples with different contents of aminoterephthalate linkers were successfully prepared. A gradual decrease in the specific surface area and the fraction of micropores with a diameter of ~0.9 nm was observed with an increase in the aminoterephthalate content. A proportional increase in the total number of basic sites in UiO-66-NH₂ samples was established with an increase in the aminoterephthalate content up to 75%. At the same time, a noticeable decrease in the total number of basic sites and an increase in their strength with higher aminoterephthalate content was observed.

Fabrication of PA-PEI-MOF303(Al) by Stepwise Impregnation Layer-by-Layer Growth for Highly Efficient Removal of Ammonia

NH₃ is a typical alkaline gaseous pollutant widely derived from industrial production and poses great risks to humans and other biota. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have excellent adsorption capacities relative to materials traditionally used to adsorb NH₃. However, in practice, applications of MOFs as adsorbents are restricted because of its powder form. We prepared a polyamide (PA) macroporous polyester substrate using an emulsion template method and modified the surface with polyethylenimine (PEI) to improve the MOF growth efficiency on the substrate. The difficulty of loading the MOF because of the fast nucleation rate inside the PA macroporous polyester substrate was solved using a stepwise impregnation layer-by-layer (LBL) growth method, and a PA-PEI-MOF303(Al) hierarchical pore composite that very efficiently adsorbed NH₃ was successfully prepared. The PA-PEI-MOF303(Al) adsorption capacity for NH₃ was 16.07 mmol·g^-1 at 298 K and 100 kPa, and the PA-PEI-MOF303(Al) could be regenerated repeatedly under vacuum at 423 K. The NH₃ adsorption mechanism was investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and by performing two-dimensional correlation analysis. Unlike for the MOF303(Al) powder, the formation of multi-site hydrogen bonds between Al-O-Al/C-OH, N-H, -OH, C=O, and NH₃ in PA-PEI-MOF303(Al) was found to be an important reason for efficient NH₃ adsorption. This study will provide a reference for the preparation of other MOF-polymer composites.

Metal-organic frameworks: A promising option for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide is one of the main characteristic biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous clinical investigations have proposed that unusual concentrations of this biomarker in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and brain tissue are closely associated with the AD progression. Therefore, the critical point of early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of AD is to monitor the levels of Aβ. In view of the potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for diagnosing and treating the AD, much attention has been focused in recent years. This review discusses the latest advances in the applications of MOFs for the early diagnosis of AD via fluorescence and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection of AD biomarkers, fluorescence detection of the main metal ions in the brain (Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, and Al3+) in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the Aβ plaques. The current challenges and future strategies for translating the in vitro applications of MOFs into in vivo diagnosis of the AD are discussed.

Assessment of the Anticancer Potentials of the Free and Metal-Organic Framework (UiO-66) - Delivered Phycocyanobilin

Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a constitutive chromoprotein of Arthrospira platensis, which exhibits promising efficacy against different types of cancer. In this study, we cleaved C-PC's chromophore phycocyanobilin (PCB) and demonstrated its ability as an anti-cancer drug for Colorectal cancer (CRC). PCB displayed an anti-cancer effect for CRC (HT-29) cells with IC50 of 108 µg/ml. Assessing the transcripts levels of some biomarkers revealed that the PCB caused an upregulation in the anti-metastatic gene NME1 level and downregulation of the COX-2 level. The flow cytometric results showed the effect of PCB on the arrest of the cell cycle's G1 phase. In addition, we successfully synthesized the UiO-66 (Zr-MOF). We incorporated the PCB into UiO-66 nanoparticles with a loading percentage of 46 %. Assessment of the cytotoxic effects of UiO-66@PCB showed a 2-fold improvement in the IC50 compared to the free PCB. In conclusion, we have shown that PCB displayed a promising potential as an anti-cancer agent. Yet, it is considered a safe and natural substance that can help to mitigate cancer spread and symptoms. In the meantime, UiO-66 can be used as a safe nano-delivery tool for PCB.

Construction of multifunctional NH2-UiO-66 metal organic framework: sensing and photocatalytic degradation of ketorolac tromethamine and tetracycline in aqueous medium

Existence of pharmaceutical residues in water has endangered environmental pollution worldwide, which makes it ineludible to develop prospective bifunctional materials which not only possess excellent fluorescence behaviour to monitor pharmaceuticals but also exhibit simultaneous photocatalytic removal efficiency. Strengthened by functionalized metal organic framework (MOF) materials, we present here an amine functionalized zirconium-based MOF NH₂-UiO-66 which has been successfully synthesized using solvothermal approach. The as prepared MOF was subjected to numerous structural, morphological and compositional characterizations. Interestingly, featured by the excellent fluorescent intensity of MOF modulated by LMCT effect, NH₂-UiO-66 was screened to detect pharmaceutical compounds with KTC and TC in aqueous solution. The prepared functionalized MOF showcased excellent sensing platform with magnificent response range (0‒3 µM), lower limit of detection (160 nM; KTC and 140 nM; TC), excellent selectivity and influential anti-interference capability. More importantly, the practical utility of the proposed sensor was further explored for the determination of pharmaceutical drugs in real water samples with suitable recoveries. Simultaneously, the synthesized MOF also exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency towards the removal of KTC and TC under solar light irradiation. The degradation efficiency for KTC and TC was found to be 68.3% and 71.8% within 60 and 280 min of solar light, respectively. Moreover, excellent recyclability was demonstrated by the current synthesized system over five cycles. Overall, this study presents a feasible route for the utilization of functionalized MOFs as potential dual functional materials towards the simultaneous detection and degradation of specific pharmaceuticals from aqueous medium.

In Situ Generated UiO-66/Cotton Fabric Easily Recyclable for Reactive Dye Adsorption

In view of the environmental pollution caused by the widespread use of reactive dyes in the printing and dyeing industry, the modified cotton fabric was loaded with the extremely stable metal-organic frame (MOF) material UiO-66 for removing reactive dyes from colored wastewater. UiO-66/cotton fabric was prepared by in situ synthesis, and its surface morphology and structure were analyzed by XRD, SEM, BET, and XPS. The adsorption performance of UiO-66/cotton fabric on reactive dyes was investigated by adsorbent dosage, adsorption time and temperature, dye concentration, pH, and so on. The results indicated that the adsorption equilibrium time of UiO-66/cotton fabric on reactive orange 16 was 120 min, and the removal rate was about 98%. The adsorption process belongs to simple molecular layer chemisorption and can be regarded as a spontaneous heat absorption reaction, which was consistent with the proposed secondary kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal adsorption model. In addition, the reactive dyes with a higher molecular weight of each sulfonic acid group are more hydrophobic, and the dyes are more likely to aggregate and deposit on the adsorbent surface by electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π accumulation. Therefore, this work provides a potential UiO-66/cotton fabric application for the effective adsorption of reactive dyes in textile wastewater.

Development of Antifouling Thin-Film Composite/Nanocomposite Membranes for Removal of Phosphate and Malachite Green Dye

Nowadays polymer-based thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane technologies are showing key interest to improve the separation properties. TFN membranes are well known in diverse fields but developing highly improved TFN membranes for the removal of low concentration solutions is the main challenge for the researchers. Application of functional nanomaterials, incorporated in TFN membranes provides better performance as permeance and selectivity. The polymer membrane-based separation process plays an important role in the chemical industry for the isolation of products and recovery of different important types of reactants. Due to the reduction in investment, less operating costs and safety issues membrane methods are mainly used for the separation process. Membranes do good separation of dyes and ions, yet their separation efficiency is challenged when the impurity is in low concentration. Herewith, we have developed, UiO-66-NH₂ incorporated TFN membranes through interfacial polymerization between piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) for separating malachite green dye and phosphate from water in their low concentration. A comparative study between thin-film composite (TFC) and TFN has been carried out to comprehend the benefit of loading nanoparticles. To provide mechanical strength to the polyamide layer ultra-porous polysulfone support was made through phase inversion. As a result, outstanding separation values of malachite green (MG) 91.90 ± 3% rejection with 13.32 ± 0.6 Lm^-2h^-1 flux and phosphate 78.36 ± 3% rejection with 22.22 ± 1.1 Lm^-2h^-1 flux by TFN membrane were obtained. The antifouling tendency of the membranes was examined by using bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mixed feed and deionized water, the study showed a good ~84% antifouling tendency of TFN membrane with a small ~14% irreversible fouling. Membrane's antibacterial test against E. coli. and S. aureus. also revealed that the TFN membrane possesses antibacterial activity as well. We believe that the present work is an approach to obtaining good results from the membranes under tricky conditions.

Enhancement of critical-sized bone defect regeneration using UiO-66 nanomaterial in rabbit femurs

Background

Repair of large-sized bone defects is a challengeable obstacle in orthopedics and evoked the demand for the development of biomaterials that could induce bone repair in such defects. Recently, UiO-66 has emerged as an attractive metal–organic framework (MOF) nanostructure that is incorporated in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, porosity, and stability. In addition, its osteogenic properties have earned a great interest as a promising field of research. Thus, the UiO-66 was prepared in this study and assessed for its potential to stimulate and support osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit femoral condyle defect model. The nanomaterial was fabricated and characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Afterward, in vitro cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays were performed to investigate UiO-66 biocompatibility. Furthermore, the material in vitro capability to upregulate osteoblast marker genes was assessed using qPCR. Next, the in vivo new bone formation potential of the UiO-66 nanomaterial was evaluated after induction of bone defects in rabbit femoral condyles. These defects were left empty or filled with UiO-66 nanomaterial and monitored at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after bone defect induction using x-ray, computed tomography (CT), histological examinations, and qPCR analysis of osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OP) expressions.

Results

The designed UiO-66 nanomaterial showed excellent cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility and stimulated the in vitro osteoblast functions. The in vivo osteogenesis was enhanced in the UiO-66 treated group compared to the control group, whereas evidence of healing of the treated bone defects was observed grossly and histologically. Interestingly, UiO-66 implanted defects displayed a significant osteoid tissue and collagen deposition compared to control defects. Moreover, the UiO-66 nanomaterial demonstrated the potential to upregulate OC and OP in vivo.

Conclusions

The UiO-66 nanomaterial implantation possesses a stimulatory impact on the healing process of critical-sized bone defects indicating that UiO-66 is a promising biomaterial for application in bone tissue engineering.

Preparation of colloidal nanoparticles PVA-PHEMA from hydrolysis of copolymers of PVAc-PHEMA as anticancer drug carriers

The novel pH-responsive polymer nanoparticles have been widely used for drug delivery and cancer therapy. The pH-sensitive nanoparticles include chemical structures that can accept or donate protons in response to an environmental pH change. Polybases which mostly contain alkaline groups such as amines and hydroxy, accept protons at low pH and are neutral at higher pH values. This study aimed to prepare pH-sensitive colloidal amphiphilic poly(vinyl alcohol-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PVA-PHEMA) copolymers in cancer therapy applications. For this purpose, poly(vinyl acetate-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PVAc-PHEMA) copolymer nanoparticles were synthesized in different polymerization medium fractions from water and methanol and different monomer feed concentration. Then acetate groups were hydrolyzed, and the PHEMA-PVA nanoparticles were synthesized. The nanoparticles were further characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to identify the structural and morphological changes. The Methotrexate (MTX) was loaded into the nanoparticles, and drug release kinetics were evaluated. The results confirmed that PHEMA-PVA copolymeric nanoparticles could be favorably used in cancer therapy.