Search Results (2,460)

The emerging threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and the limitations that conventional cancer chemotherapies display have created an urgent need for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Combining the pleiotropic biological roles of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and nanomaterials through their conjugation presents a promising possibility of targeting both microbial membranes and malignant cells. In the present study, we engineered a novel bioactive material by immobilizing the insect-derived AMP Papiliocin onto multi-walled—decorated with polyethylene–glycol—carbon nanotubes (PEG-MWCNTs) to prevent proteolytic degradation of the peptide and enhance its cellular delivery. Recombinant Papiliocin was cloned, heterologously expressed, purified and conjugated onto the PEG-MWCNT carrier. Successful expression and conjugation were validated via immunoblotting and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, respectively. Further physicochemical characterization of the bionanocomposites was conducted using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential measurements. Biologically, the biofunctionalized material exhibited potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity both on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, inhibiting almost 90% of the latter’s growth, highlighting the bioconjugate’s specific interactions with the Gram-negative pathogens’ membranes. Furthermore, it significantly reduced biofilm formation in Candida albicans, as indicated by the TCP assay. In parallel with its antimicrobial effects, CNTs-PEG–Papiliocin significantly reduced cancer cell viability and induced apoptosis via the extrinsic apoptosis pathway in HeLa cells, a response assisted by efficient intracellular delivery. Notably, cytotoxicity assays demonstrated lesser cytotoxic effect against non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells relative to the cancerous cell line. Collectively, these findings indicate the Papiliocin–biofunctionalized CNTs as a versatile, dual-action therapeutic agent with potential for antimicrobial activity and anticancer mode of action. Full article

In various areas of human activity, there is a need for new antimicrobial agents that are minimally hazardous to humans and the environment while remaining effective against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The use of nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based ones, for this purpose is attracting growing interest. This review presents a quantitative analysis, based on published data, of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of various carbon nanomaterials, focusing on fullerenes, nanodiamonds, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots. Their antimicrobial activity is compared both among themselves and with other antimicrobial agents; the effects of their physicochemical properties, functionalization, and photodynamic activity on this activity are also examined. Full article

This study presents a hierarchical conductive-network strategy to overcome the performance trade-off in cement structural supercapacitors (CSSCs). By incorporating one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) into Portland cement, we simultaneously enhance its electrochemical and mechanical properties. The approach exploits the complementary roles of the two nanomaterials: CNTs establish a three-dimensional percolation network that facilitates electron transport, while GO promotes formation of a denser calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel and refines the pore structure by complexing with calcium ions, thereby improving ionic pathways. The k12gc sample attains a specific capacitance of 66.8 F g⁻¹ at 0.1 mA cm⁻², a 58.4% rise in conductivity and a 63% reduction in charge-transfer resistance. At the same time, the composite reduces harmful macropores by 27.9% and strengthens the material, with compressive and flexural strengths increasing by 4.8% and 8.3%, respectively. This work establishes a rational design principle based on functional division between CNTs and GO for developing high-performance, multifunctional CSSCs. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as frontier materials in multidisciplinary research owing to their unique optical properties and physicochemical characteristics. However, issues such as the reliance on trial-and-error experimentation for synthetic preparation and the difficulty in systematically revealing structure–activity relationships persist. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has provided a new paradigm for CD research through its powerful predictive and decision-making capabilities. This review first introduces the fundamental workflow of ML and the operational principles of several representative ML algorithms. It then summarizes the ML applications in CDs, including ML-optimized CD synthesis, ML-assisted detection in CD sensors, ML-based performance prediction, and ML-driven mechanism studies. Finally, the review outlines the future prospects for applications in this field, aiming to further advance the development of nanomaterials science. Full article

This Special Issue based on eight Articles/Reviews focuses on low-cost chemical sensor technologies, bio-chemical sensors, advanced active materials, sensing nanomaterials, sensor nodes, wireless sensor networks for chemical sensing, functional characterization, miniaturized transducers, advanced proofs of concept, and chemical detection applications. Promising advanced materials such as metal oxide nanostructures, carbon nanomaterials, composite heterostructures, multilayered coatings, and more have been explored for chemical sensing applications and environmental sustainability. Sensing solutions have been applied in the context of bio-chemical detection and gas monitoring, representing the current state of the art. Full article

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) enables rapid conversion of polymer substrates into conductive carbon materials. In this study, nitrogen-containing carbon nanomaterials were fabricated on polyetherimide (PEI) substrates using empirical screening of two specific process points. The resulting materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to correlate structural features with electron-transfer behavior. Raman and XPS analyses showed different structure and morphology depending on irradiation regime. The carbon materials with a higher sp³ fraction (≈55–59%), larger in-plane crystallite size (L_a up to 8.0 nm), and pronounced π–π* shake-up satellites indicated enhanced graphitic ordering when a shorter nanosecond laser was used. These structural differences resulted in substantially lower charge-transfer resistance (0.53–0.79 kΩ·cm³) and larger electroactive surface areas for the porous electrodes compared with foam structured carbon nanomaterials. The results show that, under the selected fabrication conditions, variations in laser processing parameters correspond to differences in graphitic ordering and electron-transfer properties in PEI-derived laser-induced carbon materials. Full article

Asthma is a chronic, etiologically diverse lung disease that contributes to worldwide morbidity and healthcare burdens. Although bronchodilators and corticosteroids remain the cornerstones of asthma treatment, their long-term use is associated with significant side effects. Furthermore, steroid resistance in severe asthma emphasizes the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnology has emerged as a viable alternative to these standard approaches, allowing for targeted, prolonged, and precise drug delivery. Nanozymes, or synthetic nanomaterials that imitate natural enzyme functions, are gaining popularity among nanomedicine platforms due to their redox-regulating and immunomodulatory properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the present landscape of nanozyme-based treatments for asthma, with a focus on carbon-based nanozymes, while discussing MOF-derived and single-atom nanozymes in terms of their physicochemical properties and potential applicability to airway inflammatory diseases. Moreover, we look at current advancements in nanozyme-enabled drug delivery systems, their biocompatibility profiles, and potential strategies for designing nanozyme therapies according to asthma endotypes. These findings establish nanozymes as a transformational and therapeutically promising platform for next-generation asthma treatment. Full article

Monoethanolamine (MEA) remains the predominant solvent for carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture due to its rapid reaction kinetics, substantial absorption capacity, and demonstrated industrial effectiveness. Despite its established status, MEA-based systems are undergoing continuous development to lower energy requirements, enhance solvent stability, and expand operational adaptability. This review provides a critical assessment of recent progress in MEA-based CO₂ capture, encompassing molecular-level understanding, advancements in reactor and process design, solvent modification strategies, and system-wide optimization. Recent theoretical and experimental research has improved the understanding of CO₂ absorption mechanisms in MEA, highlighting the effects of reaction-product buildup, interfacial phenomena, and free amine availability on mass-transfer efficiency. Reboiler duty and comparable work have significantly decreased as a result of advances in process intensification, improved regeneration systems, and energy-integration techniques. New hybrid strategies that partially decouple capture from thermal regeneration, such as combined absorption–mineralization pathways, show promise for long-term CO₂ sequestration. To address regeneration energy, corrosion, degradation, and cyclic stability, this review examines advances in MEA-based solvents, including aqueous blends, non-aqueous and biphasic systems, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvent hybrids. It also critically assesses the trade-offs of developments in intensified contactors, surfactants, nanomaterials, and catalysts. The growing role of digital optimization, machine learning, and computational modeling in MEA process design and control is highlighted. Overall, this analysis underscores MEA’s continued importance as a versatile platform for next-generation carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Full article

Rectangular shield tunnels demonstrate significant advantages in underground space utilization due to their optimal cross-section efficiency and enhanced spatial functionality. Furthermore, their shallow overburden construction capability minimizes environmental impact and preserves subsurface resources. However, compared with circular shield tunnels, rectangular configurations exhibit greater susceptibility to longitudinal differential torsional deformation under asymmetric external loading. This deformation mechanism may induce excessive stresses in segments and connecting bolts, potentially causing joint offsets at tunnel rings that compromise structural integrity. This paper proposes a computational method for determining the longitudinal equivalent torsional stiffness of rectangular shield tunnels under combined compression–bending–torsion loading based on an equivalent continuum model. The proposed novel theoretical solutions were systematically validated against numerical simulations through comparative analysis. Parametric studies revealed that the effective ratio of longitudinal torsional stiffness increases proportionally with segment width-to-height ratio and bolt quantity while exhibiting inverse correlations with segment thickness and bolt equivalent shear length. The effective ratio of longitudinal torsional stiffness is directly correlated with compression–torsion ratios and bending–torsion ratios, with different load combinations significantly influencing torsional performance. Consequently, design optimizations incorporating increased bolt pre-tension forces or pre-stressed segment structures are proposed to improve torsional performance in rectangular shield tunneling systems. Full article

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have attracted considerable attention as versatile fluorescent nanomaterials in the domains of food safety and preservation, primarily due to their tunable photoluminescence, high aqueous dispersibility, and favorable biocompatibility. Although numerous reviews have documented the synthesis and extensive applications of CQDs, a focused critical assessment specifically addressing how rational surface functionalization and heteroatom doping impact their performance within complex food matrices remains absent. This review provides a targeted analysis of the interplay between the functional design of CQDs, including both surface group engineering and elemental doping, and their practical efficacy in food-related applications. Initially, a concise overview of the fundamental aspects of CQDs relevant to their functionality is presented, emphasizing the origin and role of surface chemical groups and pivotal photophysical sensing mechanisms. Subsequently, the core of the review critically evaluates recent advancements (particularly those from 2022 onward) in the use of functionalized CQDs for detecting food contaminants (such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, antibiotic residues, pathogens, and additives) and in food preservation techniques, including active packaging, antioxidative and antimicrobial coatings, and photodynamic inactivation. Through a systematic comparison of analytical figures of merit and the effects of various matrices across different design approaches, we delineate both the established capabilities and the current limitations of CQD-based technologies in realistic food systems. The review concludes by identifying ongoing challenges, specifically, batch-to-batch consistency, the long-term safety profile of CQDs in food-contact applications, and the translation gap from laboratory innovation to industrial practice, and outlines prospective research directions. The overarching aim of this work is to provide a structured framework for understanding how deliberate functional design can lead to improved performance, thereby guiding the rational development of next-generation CQD-based materials for ensuring food quality and public health. Full article

Although soybean is vital to the global economy, this crop faces productivity losses due to photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII), which is worsened by heat and drought. Carbon dots (Cdots) offer a strategy to mitigate this stress by acting as light-harvesting and UV-protective agents. This study evaluated the foliar application of Cdots on soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. BRS 1054 IPRO) exposed to high light intensity. In a greenhouse experiment with a completely randomized design, plants received deionized water (Control), synthesized Cdots at three concentrations (0.02, 0.05, and 0.20 mg mL⁻¹), or a commercial Cdot product. Plants were grown under 50% shade and, at 24 days after sowing, transferred to a high-light greenhouse (20% attenuation). Measurements included PSII fluorescence (maximum quantum yield, potential activity, basal fluorescence, and dynamic photoinhibition) and leaf gas exchange (stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, transpiration, intercellular CO₂ concentration, intrinsic water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency), as well as chlorophyll index and growth traits. Cdots at 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ and the commercial product maintained higher morning PSII maximum activity (+16% vs. Control), indicating enhanced photoprotection. Conversely, 0.20 mg mL⁻¹ Cdots reduced PSII maximum activity by 62% at noon. At day 14, the 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ treatment improved stress acclimation, reducing stomatal conductance and transpiration, while sustaining photosynthesis. Growth was significantly enhanced at this concentration, increasing chlorophyll content by 14%, shoot length by 26%, and total dry mass by up to 41% compared to controls. In conclusion, Cdots at 0.05 mg mL⁻¹ alleviated chronic photoinhibition without increasing dynamic photoinhibition, thus acting as a promising nanobiostimulant that promotes soybean early growth under high-light stress. Full article

Seafood, rich in nutrients, undergoes rapid quality deterioration, primarily due to microbial activity and lipid oxidation. Conventional petroleum-based packaging is widely used for seafood but lacks the ability to retard spoilage. Carbon dots (CDs), which are nanosized, act as multifunctional additives that can be incorporated into biopolymer films to prepare active, biodegradable packaging. CDs are produced through green synthesis methods using various agro-byproducts, including fruit peels, leaves, and rhizomes, thus aligning well with circular economy principles. CDs have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as UV barrier properties. CDs from different sources show varying bioactivities and properties. The bioactivities of CDs are enhanced by doping with compounds such as polyphenols and amino acids. When CDs are applied to biopolymer matrices such as chitosan and gelatin, the increases in mechanical strength, water vapor barrier properties, thermal stability, and ultraviolet light-blocking ability can be achieved. Recent investigations into the performance of films containing CDs from different sources for the shelf life extension of various seafood are revisited. The limited commercial implementation, particularly of large-scale synthesis, is addressed. The migration behavior and toxicological profiles are also elucidated. Overall, this review highlights agro-waste-derived CDs as a potential nanomaterial for developing next-generation active packaging systems for seafood preservation and environmental sustainability. Full article

Anti-corrosive coatings are among the most widely used methods for corrosion protection. Zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention due to their advantages, such as small size, high specific surface area, ease of surface functionalization, and strong interfacial regulation capability, which enable enhanced barrier properties, densification, and multifunctional protection of coatings. However, existing reviews have largely focused on the application of 2D carbon nanomaterials in anti-corrosive coatings, with a lack of systematic summaries on 0D carbon nanomaterials, particularly comprehensive reviews that combine quantitative bibliometric analysis with qualitative content analysis. To address this gap, this review employs a combined approach of bibliometric analysis and content analysis to systematically summarize the research progress of three typical types of 0D carbon nanomaterials, including nanodiamonds, fullerenes, and carbon dots, in the field of corrosion protective coatings. The quantitative analysis is conducted using CiteSpace 6.4 R.2 to reveal publication trends, research hotspots, and frontier evolution in this field, while the qualitative analysis selects representative studies to summarize application systems, performance characteristics, and underlying mechanisms. On this basis, the key challenges currently faced are identified, and future research directions are proposed. This review provides a systematic reference for the material design, mechanistic understanding, and engineering application of 0D carbon nanomaterial-based anti-corrosive coatings. Full article

The continuous research progress in materials science has enabled the development of advanced nano-materials, including carbon nano-tubes, graphene and metal oxides with specialized properties, which can fundamentally affect the mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of conventional materials when used in the reinforcing phase [...] Full article