ZnO

The surfaces of nanomaterials with applications in optoelectronics and catalysis control their physicochemical properties. NMR spectroscopy, enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), is a powerful approach to probe the local environment of spin-1/2 nuclei near surfaces. However, this technique often lacks robustness and resolution for half-integer quadrupolar nuclei, which represent more than 66% of the NMR-active isotopes. A novel pulse sequence is introduced here to circumvent these issues. This method is applied to observe with high-resolution 27 Al and 17 O spin-5/2 nuclei on the surface of γ-alumina...

To solve the problem that zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs)-based self-powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors cannot obtain both higher responsiveness and shorter response time, P(EDOS-TTh) was prepared using 3,4-ethylenedioxyselenphene (EDOS) and terthiophene (TTh) as copolymers, which modify the ZnO NRs surface, and the ZnO/P(EDOS-TTh) P-N junction self-powered UV device is assembled. The effect of the number of electrochemical polymerization cycles on the UV photodetection performance of ZnO/P(EDOS-TTh) P-N heterojunction was studied by adjusting the number of electrochemical polymerization cycles at the monomer molar ratio of 1:1...

Nitrite monitoring serves as a fundamental practice for protecting public health, preserving environmental quality, ensuring food safety, maintaining industrial safety standards, and optimizing agricultural practices. Although many nitrite sensing methods have been recently developed, the quantification of nitrite remains challenging due to sensitivity and selectivity limitations. In this context, we present the fabrication of enzymeless iron oxide nanoparticle-modified zinc oxide nanorod (α-Fe2 O3 -ZnO NR) hybrid nanostructure-based nitrite sensor fabrication...

Zinc oxide and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (ZnO-PLGA) nanocomposites are known to exhibit different biomedical applications and antibacterial activity, which could be beneficial for adding to wound dressings after different surgeries. However, possible cytotoxic effects along with various unexpected activities could reduce the use of these prominent systems. This is correlated to the property of ZnO, which exhibits different polymeric forms, in particular, wurtzite, zinc-blende, and rocksalt. In this study, we propose a computational approach based on the density functional theory to investigate the properties of ZnO-PLGA systems in detail...

Non-volatile memory based on thin-film transistor is crucial for system-on-panel and flexible electronic systems. Achieving high-performance and reliable thin-film transistor (TFT) memory still remains challenging. Here, for the first time, we present a ZnO TFT memory utilizing self-assembled Au nanocrystals with a low thermal budget, exhibiting excellent memory performance, including a program/erase window of 9.8 V, 29% charge loss extrapolated to 10 years, and remarkable endurance characteristics. Moreover, the memory exhibits favorable on-state characteristics with mobility, subthreshold swing, and current on-off ratio of 17...

In recent years, advances in materials engineering based on adaptive electronics have found a new paradigm to optimize drawbacks in signal processing. A two-layer MnO/ZnO:Zn heterostructure envisioned for frequency adaptive electronic signal processing is synthesized by sputtering, where the use of internal states allows reconfigurability to obtain new operating modes at different frequency input signals. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is performed on each layer, revealing a cubic structure for MnO and a hexagonal structure for ZnO:Zn with preferential growth in [111] and [002] directions, respectively...

Protein dynamics play important roles in biological functions, which accompany allosteric structure changes. Diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) uses monochromatic X-rays and nanocrystal probes. The intramolecular motion of target proteins is analyzed from the intensity changes in detector signals at the diffraction rings. In contrast, diffracted X-ray tracking (DXT) elucidates molecular dynamics by analyzing the trajectories of Laue spots. In this study, we have developed a dual-labeling technique for DXB and DXT, allowing the simultaneous observation of motions at different domains in proteins...

The world is fighting infectious diseases. Therefore, effective antimicrobials are required to prevent the spread of microbes and protect human health. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-materials are known for their antimicrobial activities. Because of their distinctive physical and chemical characteristics, they can be used in medical and environmental applications. ZnO-based composites are among the leading sources of antimicrobial research. They are effective at killing (microbicidal) and inhibiting the growth (microbiostatic) of numerous microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi...

This study investigated the effectiveness of nanoparticles and chemical inducers in managing onion white rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum . The pathogen severely threatens onion cultivation, resulting in significant yield losses and economic setbacks. Traditional fungicides, though effective, raise environmental concerns, prompting a shift toward eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, four S. cepivorum isolates were utilized, each exhibiting varying degrees of pathogenicity, with the third isolate from Abu-Hamad demonstrating the highest potency...

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most common curing activator used to manufacture tires. To minimize environmental impacts by decreasing the zinc content and rolling resistance of tires, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on SiO2 NPs (ZnO@SiO2 ) are currently under development as new activators at the pilot scale. Here, we applied prospective life cycle assessment to predict the impacts on human health, ecosystem quality, and resource scarcity of synthesizing ZnO@SiO2 for the production of passenger car tires at an industrial scale...

Significant progress has been made over the years to improve the stability and efficiency of rapidly evolving tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). One powerful approach to enhance the performance of these PSCs is through compositional engineering techniques, specifically by incorporating a mixed cation system at the A-site and B-site structure of the tin perovskite. These approaches will pave the way for unlocking the full potential of tin-based PSCs. Therefore, in this study, a theoretical investigation of mixed A-cations (FA, MA, EA, Cs) with a tin-germanium-based PSC was presented...

The constant demand for biocompatible and non-invasive materials for regenerative medicine in accidents and various diseases has driven the development of innovative biomaterials that promote biomedical applications. In this context, using sol-gel and ionotropic gelation methods, zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZnO) and chitosan nanoparticles (NPs-CS) were synthesized with sizes of 20.0 nm and 11.98 nm, respectively. These nanoparticles were incorporated into chitosan scaffolds through the freeze-drying method, generating a porous morphology with small (<100 μm), medium (100-200 μm), and large (200-450 μm) pore sizes...

In this research and in the line of our researches on the use of nano-substrates modified with ionic liquid in organic reactions, an efficient and green method for the one-pot three-component synthesis of pyrimido[1,2- a ]benzimidazole and 1-(benzothiazolylamino)methyl-2-naphthol derivatives is reported using a new nanoporous catalyst formulated as ZnO@SO3 H@Tropine. Further analysis of the catalyst for its characterization has been performed using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)...

Herein, innovative biocides are designed for the treatment of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae (ML) and adult worms. Samarium-doped ZnO nanorods (Sm-doped ZnO) are stabilized onto the laminar structure of cuttlefish bone (CB) matrix and adorned by either Ag NPs or cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) species. Physicochemical characteristics of such nanocomposites are scrutinised. Adorning of Sm-doped ZnO/CB with Ag NPs shortens rod-like shaped Sm-doped ZnO nanoparticles and accrues them, developing large-sized detached patches over CB moiety...

Water treatment technologies need to go beyond the current control of organic contaminants and ensure access to potable water. However, existing methods are still costly and often inadequate. In this context, novel catalysts that improve the mineralization degree of a wider range of pharmaceuticals through more benign and less consuming methodologies are highly sought after. ZnO, especially when doped, is a well-known semiconductor that also excels in the photocatalytic removal of persistent organic pollutants...

An oil-immersed transformer is a critical electrical device for power delivery. Online monitoring of transformer operation is the key to ensuring the regular operation of power systems. This paper proposes Au/ZnO, Pd/ZnO, and Pt/ZnO heterojunctions as new gas-sensitive materials and investigates their gas-sensitive performance to dissolved gases (C2 H4 , CO, and H2 ) in transformer oil. Upon theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the analysis of the total density of states (TDOS), partial density of states (PDOS), molecular orbital theory, and charge deformation density reveals that Au, Pd, and Pt form heterojunctions with ZnO, which enhance the electrical conductivity of the system...

In recent years, the rapid development of nanotechnology has caused the products obtained with this technology to be used more daily. Information on the effects of these products, which provide great advantages in every respect, on human health and the environment is insufficient. It has been suggested that these nanoparticles may have toxic effects on living things, mostly in animal experiments and cell cultures. In this paper, the organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), which contains a genome and biochemical ways highly similar to humans, is used to understand and reveal the metabolism of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) toxicological effects...

Reactive metals hydrolysis offers significant advantages for hydrogen storage and production. However, the regeneration of common reactive metals (e.g., Mg, Al, etc.) is energy-intensive and produces unwanted byproducts such as CO2 and Cl2. Herein, we employ Zn as a reactive mediator that can be easily regenerated by electrolysis of ZnO in an alkaline solution with a Faradaic efficiency of > 99.9%. H2 is produced in the same electrolyte by constructing a Zn-H2O hydrolysis battery consisting of a Zn anode and a Raney-Ni cathode to unlock the Zn-H2O reaction...

To improve the tribological properties of porous polyimide (PPI), ZDDP-mixed PAO4 was impregnated in PPI (denoted as ZPPI), and the tribological properties of ZPPI under single- and double-contacts were investigated. In the single-contact of ZPPI-steel, a rough and thick tribofilm was formed on the steel ball, which could protect the steel surface but resulted in large fluctuations in the friction coefficient. In the double-contact of ZPPI-steel-steel, ZDDP formed a uniform and thinner tribofilm on steel surfaces, leading to a lower friction...

This study investigates the creation and analysis of chitosan-zinc oxide (CS-ZnO) nanocomposites, exploring their effectiveness in inhibiting bacteria. Two synthesis approaches, physical and chemical, were utilized. The CS-ZnO nanocomposites demonstrated strong antibacterial properties, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium. Chemically synthesized nanocomposites (CZ10 and CZ100) exhibited larger inhibition zones (16.4 mm and 18.7 mm) compared to physically prepared CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (12...