One-Pot Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles for Nitrite Sensing, Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Studies

Phytogenic nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and their roles in physiology and biochemistry of plants

Researchers are swarming to nanotechnology because of its potentially game-changing applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. This fast-growing, cutting-edge technology is trying different approaches for synthesizing nanoparticles of specific sizes and shapes. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized using physical and chemical processes; there is an urgent demand to establish environmentally acceptable and sustainable ways for their synthesis. The green approach of nanoparticle synthesis has emerged as a simple, economical, sustainable, and eco-friendly method. In particular, phytoassisted plant extract synthesis is easy, reliable, and expeditious. Diverse phytochemicals present in the extract of various plant organs such as root, leaf, and flower are used as a source of reducing as well as stabilizing agents during production. Green synthesis is based on principles like prevention/minimization of waste, reduction of derivatives/pollution, and the use of safer (or non-toxic) solvent/auxiliaries as well as renewable feedstock. Being free of harsh operating conditions (high temperature and pressure), hazardous chemicals and the addition of external stabilizing or capping agents makes the nanoparticles produced using green synthesis methods particularly desirable. Different metallic nanomaterials are produced using phytoassisted synthesis methods, such as silver, zinc, gold, copper, titanium, magnesium, and silicon. Due to significant differences in physical and chemical properties between nanoparticles and their micro/macro counterparts, their characterization becomes essential. Various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques have been employed for conformational details of nanoparticles, like shape, size, dispersity, homogeneity, surface structure, and inter-particle interactions. UV-visible spectroscopy is used to examine the optical properties of NPs in solution. XRD analysis confirms the purity and phase of NPs and provides information about crystal size and symmetry. AFM, SEM, and TEM are employed for analyzing the morphological structure and particle size of NPs. The nature and kind of functional groups or bioactive compounds that might account for the reduction and stabilization of NPs are detected by FTIR analysis. The elemental composition of synthesized NPs is determined using EDS analysis. Nanoparticles synthesized by green methods have broad applications and serve as antibacterial and antifungal agents. Various metal and metal oxide NPs such as Silver (Ag), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silicon dioxide (SiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), copper oxide (CuO), etc. have been proven to have a positive effect on plant growth and development. They play a potentially important role in the germination of seeds, plant growth, flowering, photosynthesis, and plant yield. The present review highlights the pathways of phytosynthesis of nanoparticles, various techniques used for their characterization, and their possible roles in the physiology of plants.

Plant Extract-Based Synthesis of Metallic Nanomaterials, Their Applications, and Safety Concerns

Nanotechnology has attracted the attention of researchers from different scientific fields because of the escalated properties of nanomaterials compared with the properties of macromolecules. Nanomaterials can be prepared through different approaches involving physical and chemical methods. The development of nanomaterials through plant-based green chemistry approaches is more advantageous than other methods from the perspectives of environmental safety, animal, and human health. The biomolecules and metabolites of plants act as reducing and capping agents for the synthesis of metallic green nanomaterials. Plant-based synthesis is a preferred approach as it is not only cost-effective, easy, safe, clean, and eco-friendly but also provides pure nanomaterials in high yield. Since nanomaterials have antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, green nanomaterials synthesized from plants can be used for a variety of biomedical and environmental remediation applications. Past studies have focused mainly on the overall biogenic synthesis of individual or combinations of metallic nanomaterials and their oxides from different biological sources, including microorganisms and biomolecules. Moreover, from the viewpoint of biomedical applications, the literature is mainly focusing on synthetic nanomaterials. Herein, we discuss the extraction of green molecules and recent developments in the synthesis of different plant-based metallic nanomaterials, including silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, zinc, iron, and carbon. Apart from the biomedical applications of metallic nanomaterials, including antimicrobial, anticancer, diagnostic, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications, their environmental remediation potential is also discussed. Furthermore, safety concerns and safety regulations pertaining to green nanomaterials are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Phosphorous (V) Corrole Fluorophores for Nitrite Assessment in Environmental and Biological Samples

Two phosphorous (V) corrole complexes, [5,10,15-pentafluorophenyl corrole] phosphorous (V) (PFCorr) and [10-(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)-5,15-dimesityl-corrole] phosphorous (V) (PCorr) were synthesized and tested as nitrite-sensitive fluorophores. Fluorimetry studies on ligand sensitivity towards anions were carried out in solution, then inside polymeric membrane optodes deposited on glass, and finally by functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles deposited on a paper support. The selective fluorescence quenching was registered upon addition of an increasing amount of NO2− ions for both ligands. The influence on the PFCorr optode’s response of the lipophilic sites’ functionalization was investigated. The sensors’ suitability for nitrite assessment in natural waters at levels 10-fault lower than the WHO’s recommended maximum concentration level of 3 mg/L was demonstrated.

Effect of CeO2-ZnO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activities

The impact of a CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite on the photocatalytic and antibacterial properties compared to bare ZnO was investigated. A CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized using Acacia nilotica fruit extract as a novel fuel by a simple solution combustion method. The obtained CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite was confirmed structurally by XRD, FTIR, Raman and UV-DRS and morphologically by SEM/TEM analysis. The XRD pattern indicates the presence of both hexagonal Wurtzite-structured ZnO (major) and cubic-phase CeO2 (minor). FTIR shows the presence of a Ce-O-Ce vibration at 468 cm−1 and Zn-O vibration at 445 cm−1. The existence of a band at 460 cm−1 confirmed the F2g Raman-active mode of the fluorite cubic crystalline structure for CeO2. Diffused reflectance spectroscopy was used to estimate the bandgap (Eg) from Kubelka–Munk (K–M) theory which was found to be 3.4 eV. TEM analysis shows almost spherical-shaped particles, at a size of about 10–15 nm. The CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite shows a good BET specific surface area of 30 m2g−1. The surface defects and porosity of the CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite caused methylene blue (MB) dye to degrade under sunlight (88%) and UV light (92%). The CeO2-ZnO nanocomposite also exhibited considerable antibacterial activity against a pathogenic bacterial strain.