Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

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Carbon-based chemical substances persistence can contribute to adverse health impacts on human lives. It is essential to overcome for treatment purposes. The semiconducting metal oxide is Zinc Oxide (ZnO), which has excellent biocompatibility, good chemical stability, selectivity, sensitivity, non-toxicity, and fast electron transfer characteristics. The ZnO nanoparticles are more efficient compared to other metal oxide materials. Thus, the nanoparticles are in the present research situation to receive increasing attention due to their potential performance of the human body to feel comfortable. The nanoparticles become more promising for biomedical applications through the development of anticancer agents to recovery different types of malignant cells in the human body. The ZnO nanoparticles can be the future potential materials for biomedical applications. The purpose of this paper is to review the cost-effective approach to synthesize the ZnO nanoparticles. Moreover, these ideas can develop for synthesized ZnO biomaterial to perform easily up-scaled in biomedical applications.

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Green synthesis refers to the synthesis of nanoparticles using plants and microorganisms. It is preferred over conventional methods as its sustainable, eco-friendly, cost effective and rapid method. The phytochemicals and enzymes present in plants and microorganisms respectively acts as the reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Phytochemicals and enzymes have the ability to reduce precursor metal ions into nanoparticles. As the conventional methods involve the use of high energy and toxic chemicals which are harmful to both environment and organisms, these synthesis methods are discouraged. Of the nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained lots of attention owing to their multiple applications and less toxicity. In addition, various in-vitro studies have reported the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs and AuNPs against various microbes. This particular review portrays the methods of nanoparticles synthesis, components of green synthesis, mechanism of green synthesis, antimicrobial activity, other applications and various factors affecting the green synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs.

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Neoplastic cells have co-opted inflammatory receptors and signaling molecules that potentiate inflammation. Activated inflammatory pathways lead to neo-angiogenesis, lymph-angiogenesis, immunosuppression, tumor growth, proliferation and metastasis. This cancer-sustaining inflammation is a critical target to arrest cancer growth. Multiple drug resistance, high cost, low oral bioavailability and serious side effects have rendered conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutics less impressive. The aim of this research was to achieve cancer debulking and proliferation prevention by limiting ‘cancer-sustaining’ tumor niche inflammation through non-conventional oral approach employing anti-inflammatory agents and avoiding conventional cytotoxic agents. Synergistic anti-inflammatory agents, i.e. celecoxib as selective COX-2 inhibitor and montelukast as cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, were selected. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were used as nanocarriers because of their efficient synergistic anti-neoplastic effects and excellent oral drug delivery potential. Specifically, selected drugs were co-conjugated onto AgNPs. Synthesized nanoparticles were then surface-modified with poly(vinyl alcohol) to control particle size, avoid opsonization/preferred cellular uptake and improve dispersion. Surface plasmon resonance analysis, particle size analysis, DSC, TGA, XRD, FTIR and LIBS analysis confirmed the successful conjugation of drugs and efficient polymer coating with high loading efficiency. In-vitro, the nanoparticles manifested best and sustained release in moderately acidic (pH 4.5) milieu enabling passive tumor targeting potential. In-vivo, synthesized nanoparticles exhibited efficient dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity reducing the dose up to 25-fold. The formulation also manifested hemo-compatibility, potent anti-denaturation activity and dose-dependent in-vitro and in-vivo anti-cancer potential against MCF-7 breast cancer and Hep-G2 liver cancer cell lines in both orthotopic and subcutaneous xenograft cancer models. The anti-inflammatory nanoparticles manifested tumor specific release potential exhibiting selective cytotoxicity at cancerous milieu with slightly acidic environment and activated inflammatory pathways. The formulation displayed impressive oral bioavailability, sustained release, negligible cytotoxicity against THLE-2 normal human hepatocytes, low toxicity (high LD₅₀) and wide therapeutic window. Results suggest promise of developed nanomaterials as hemo-compatible, potent, cheaper, less-toxic oral anti-inflammatory and non-conventional anti-cancer agents.

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The goal of the present study is to prepare a room temperature cured hydrophobic and self-cleaning nano-coating for power line insulators. As a result, the installed insulators operating in power lines can be coated without being removed from the circuit and without the need to cut off power. For this purpose, hydrophobic silica nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method using TEOS and HMDS. The synthesized hydrophobic silica nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM analyses to investigate phase formation, particle size, and morphology. Then the surface of the insulator was cleaned and sprayed by Ultimeg binder solution, an air-dried insulating coating, as the base coating. Then the hydrophobic nano-silica powder was sprayed on the binder coated surface and left to be air-cured at room temperature. After drying the coating, the contact angle was measured to be 149^o. Pull-off test was used to check the adhesion strength of the hydrophobic coating to the base insulator. To evaluate the effect of environmental factors, UV resistance and fog-salt corrosion tests were conducted. The results showed that 150 hours of UV radiation, equivalent to 9 months of placing the samples in normal conditions, did not have any significant effect on reducing the hydrophobicity of the applied coatings.

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ABSTRACT
In this paper, novel Nanohybrid CuO-Fe₃O₄/Zeolite nanocomposites (HCFZ NCs) have been synthesized to improve the adsorption capacity and activity for removing the Arsenic and Lead cations from the contaminated water solutions. The nanohybrid 4, 10, and 20 -HCFZ NC samples were investigated by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, FESEM, EDX, and BET. The characterization results of these catalysts confirmed the presence of CuO and Fe₃O₄ NPs in nanospherical shapes as Nanohybrid Cu and Fe oxides on the zeolite surface. Notably, the 10-HCFZ NC sample showed the highest removal efficiency of harmful metallic pollutants from the water in comparison to the prepared neat zeolite, 4-HCFZ NC, and 20-HCFZ NC samples, with a percentage removal of (97.9 %) for Pb ions and (93.5 %) for As ions within 30 minutes (100 ppm). According to the adsorption isotherms results, R² values for the Langmuir isotherm were the highest, suggesting that the experimental results fit better the Langmuir isotherm model. Generally, according to the obtained results, there is a possibility of enhancing the efficiency of Nanohybrid CuO-Fe₃O₄/Zeolite NCs to remove Arsenic and Lead ions from polluted aqueous solutions.
 

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Materials that are applied to combat vehicles require an innovation as the development of the military world advances. The material innovation in this research is a lightweight hybrid laminated Al7075 composites. The main materials used in this research are aluminum 7075 plate, kevlar 29, silicon carbide (SiC) nano powder, and epoxy resin. SiC nano powder is mixed with polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400), then ethanol is added so that it becomes a shear thickening fluid (STF) solution which is used to impregnate kevlar. Laminate composites were prepared using the hand lay-up method with epoxy resin as an additive between layers of kevlar and aluminum 7075 plates. The thickness of laminates is various due to the number of kevlar used different of each laminated that is 8, 16, and 24 layers. The results of this study show that the composite with impregnated kevlar has higher ballistic and impact resistance values than the composite with non-impregnated kevlar, which has good potential as a base material for combat vehicles such as tanks. This is also supported by the Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) results to determine the level of absorbance of the functional groups identified in impregnated kevlar and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results of the distribution of nano SiC filler that infiltrated to the empty space in the kevlar fiber.

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This study investigates the effect of sintering temperature on the structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe₂O₄ NPs) synthesized by the sol–gel method. The samples were sintered at 400°C–1000°C for 2 h and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, AFM, dielectric and VSM measurements. XRD confirmed the formation of a stable cubic spinel structure, with crystallite size increasing from 10.71 to 16.09 nm and porosity decreasing with increasing sintering temperature. SEM and AFM showed progressive grain growth and improved grain connectivity, with the sample at 800°C exhibiting the most uniform morphology before excessive grain growth occurred at 1000°C. The dielectric response showed decreasing real and imaginary permittivity with increasing frequency, while the sample at 800°C exhibited the lowest dielectric loss (tan δ ≈ 2 at 1 kHz). Magnetic measurements revealed ferrimagnetic behavior, with saturation magnetization increasing from 27.5 emu/g at 400°C to 68 emu/g at 1000°C, whereas coercivity reached a maximum of 715 Oe at 800°C. Overall, sintering at 800°C provided the best balance between microstructural uniformity, low dielectric loss and magnetic performance, making it a strong candidate for further evaluation in high-frequency and multifunctional magnetic applications.

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Iron oxide nanoparticles has attracted extensively due to their supermagnetic properties, preferred in biomedicine because of their biocompatibility and potential nontoxicity to human beings. Synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) was prepared with the help of ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate by using the coprecipitation method. The variation and combination of ferric and ferrous concentrations affect the physical and magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles.  The effect of 0.1 M ferric and ferrous concentration on iron oxide nanoparticles studied separately and in combination. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by Particle size, zeta potential, Ultraviolet (UV-visible), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. Particle size was below 200nm and zeta potential was within the limit for all the batches. UV visible spectra at 224 nm, and FTIR exhibit two peaks at 510 and 594 cm-1, indicating iron oxide NPs and XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of Fe. SEM showed a spherical shape for all batches. The use of a combination of ferric and ferrous is more effective than its individual use. TGA and VSM studies confirmed its magnetic properties.
 

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Drug-resistance among bacteria is a concerning issue in medical field. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the promising novel nano-antibiotics. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using cell-free extract of Acinetobacter sp. challenged with silver nitrate. Preliminary observations done using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 420 nm. Complete reduction of silver ions to AgNPs was confirmed through cyclic voltammetry. Electron microscopy revealed formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles of size upto 20 nm. These AgNPs were furthr used to determine their effect on activity of various antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria such as Neisseria and Xanthomonas. Higher antibacterial activity of AgNPs was observed against Gram-negative bacteria. Enhanced antibacterial action of AgNPs was observed with selected beta-lactam antibiotics producing upto 3-fold increase in area of zone of inhibition. On exposure to AgNPs, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of antibiotics were lowered by upto 2000 times indicating potential synergistic action of AgNPs. This study clearly signifies that the drug, proved to be inefficient due to bacterial resistance, could be made functional again in presence of AgNPs. This will help in development of novel antibacterial formulations containing antibiotics and nanoparticles to combat multiple drug-resistance in microorganisms.

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Researchers are increasingly focusing on green synthesis methods for silver nanoparticles due to their cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental impact. In this study, we utilized an edible bird's nest (EBN), a valuable economic resource, as the primary material for synthesizing silver nanoparticles using only water as the solvent. Metabolite profiling of the EBN extract was conducted using LC-QTOF-MS in positive mode (ESI+), revealing the presence of lipids, glycosides, peptides, polysaccharides, and disaccharides. Upon the addition of silver nitrate to the aqueous EBN extract, noticeable color changes from transparent to brown indicated the successful formation of AgNPs. Subsequent characterization of these silver nanoparticles involved UV-Visible spectroscopy, which revealed an absorption peak at 421 nm. Further characterization was carried out using FESEM, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and EDX analysis. The involvement of phenolic agents, proteins, and amino acids in reducing the silver particles was confirmed. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape, and a particle size ranging from 10 to 20 nm. The presence of elemental silver was confirmed by a strong, intense peak around 3 keV in the EDX spectrum. To assess their potential, the antibacterial properties of the silver nanoparticles against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated using the agar diffusion method.
 

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Biogenic synthesis of papain-conjugated copper metallic Nanoparticles and their antibacterial and antifungal activities Papain metallic conjugated nanoparticles (Papain-CuNPs) were synthesised using Papain and CuSO4.5H₂O. Papain-CuNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, HR-TEM, XRD, FE-SEM, zeta potential, and a zeta sizer. The antibacterial activity of papain-CuNPs against human infectious microorganisms (Citrobacter spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans) was investigated. The mechanism of action of papain-CuNPs was evaluated using FE-SEM and HRTM. UV spectroscopy confirmed the plasma resonance (SPR) at 679 nm, which indicated the formation of papain-CuNPs. The FT-IR spectrum absorbance peaks at 3927, 3865, 3842, 3363, 2978, and 2900 cm^-1 indicate the presence of O-H and N-H of the secondary amine, and peaks at 1643 and 1572 cm^-1 represent C=O functional groups in Papain-CuNPs. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of copper in the papain-CuNPs. The zeta potential (-42.6 mV) and zeta size (99.66 d. nm) confirmed the stability and size of the nanoparticles. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the papain-CuNPs. FE-SEM and HRTM showed an oval structure, and the nano particles' 16.71244–34.84793 nm. The synthesized papain-NPs showed significant antibacterial activity against clinical P. aeruginosa (15 mm). MIC 125 µg/ml) showed bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa and the mechanism of action of Papain-NPs was confirmed using an electron microscope by observing cell damage and cell shrinking. Papain-CuNPs have significant antibacterial activity and are thus used in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections

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Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) with a continuous and mesoporous silica (m-SiO₂) shell were synthesized using a one-step method, sourcing silica from rice husk ash (RHA). The rice husk was thermally treated to obtain ash, from which silica was extracted as sodium silicate and precipitated by pH reduction. This silica powder, combined with iron chloride salts, facilitated the synthesis of the core-shell NPs. Mint extract acted as a capping agent to prevent agglomeration, and CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) was used to create the porous SiO₂ shell. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization investigated the structure, size, and shell formation. Coating integrity and suspension stability were assessed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS analysis showed a relatively narrow particle size distribution with an average hydrodynamic size of 72.6 nm. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) provided insights into the meso- and nanoscale structure, while BET and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms confirmed the mesoporous nature of the silica shell. Magnetization measurements showed superparamagnetic behavior, with specific magnetization values of 57.9 emu/g for Fe₃O₄ and 27.5 emu/g for Fe₃O₄@m-SiO₂. These results confirm the successful synthesis of superparamagnetic magnetite NPs with a mesoporous silica coating from RHA.
 

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This study investigates the effect of SnO₂ as an additive on the structural, electrical, optical, and gas sensing properties of LaCrO₃ nanoparticles.  SnO₂ is added into the LaCrO₃ by weight percentage (1 wt. %, 3 wt. %, 5 wt. %, 7 wt. %, 9 wt. % and 11 wt. %) employing screen printing method. Initially, the nanoparticles of SnO₂ and LaCrO₃ separately synthesis by sol-gel method and then used for the development of thick films. LaCrO₃ is used as host material while SnO₂ is additive material. The structural characterizations like FESEM, EDX and XRD were carried out to investigate the morphology, elements and crystallite size respectively. The inclusion of SnO₂ modifies the crystalline structure and surface morphology of LaCrO_3, as revealed by structural analyses. The optical characterizations like FTIR and UV were used for the study of impact of SnO₂ additive on functional group and band gap of the host material respectively. Optical studies indicate a modification in the bandgap, affecting light absorption properties and indicating changes in electronic transitions. The electrical characterizations were conducted by using half bridge method. Electrical resistivity measurements show enhanced performance, likely due to variation in charge carrier mobility induced by the SnO₂ additive. Among other selected wt. % SnO₂ additives, 9 wt. % SnO₂ added LaCrO₃ thick films shows maximum sensitivity to CH₄ gas at 120^oC operating temperature. The gas sensing characteristics demonstrate enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and response time to target gases, suggesting that SnO₂ doping improves the sensing capabilities of LaCrO₃ nanoparticles, making them more efficient as a gas sensor. Obtained findings suggest that, SnO₂ as an additive enhances the multifunctional properties of LaCrO₃ nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for advanced gas sensing applications.
 

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This research is focused on the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by means of the sol-gel conventional method, followed by the formulation of a zinc oxide-polypropylene (ZnO: PP) masterbatch using a twin-screw extruder. The next step involved the fabrication of antibacterial fibers through electrospinning. The resulting Nano powders, masterbatch, and fibers were subjected to a series of characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine the crystalline structure, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was employed to scrutinize the morphology of the samples, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was adopted for elemental analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was hired to identify the chemical bonds.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a three-stage weight loss process, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed a primary endothermic peak centered at about 317 °C and a pronounced exothermic peak at approximately 455 °C. XRD confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the zinc oxide nanoparticles and the presence of the alpha (α) crystal form in polypropylene. FESEM imaging revealed that the zinc oxide and masterbatch samples had a uniform size and shape, predominantly in the nanometer range with an elongated spherical morphology. The antibacterial properties of polypropylene fibers containing varying concentrations of zinc oxide, including 1.2, 2.4, and 5 wt.%, were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
 

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Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with limited therapeutic options. This study evaluated the multifunctional anticancer effects of curcumin-synthesized silver nanoparticles (curcumin-AgNPs) on the U-87 glioblastoma cell line. Curcumin-AgNPs were biosynthesized using curcumin as a reducing and stabilizing agent and characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay. The mRNA expression of apoptosis- and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was quantified by real-time PCR. DLS and TEM analyses revealed curcumin-AgNPs with sizes of 56.27±4.59 nm and 22±3 nm, respectively. Curcumin-AgNPs reduced U-87 MG cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Analysis of apoptosis-related genes showed an increased BAX/BCL2L1 ratio. Additionally, FN1 and VIM were downregulated to 0.48- and 0.60-fold, respectively, indicating inhibitory effects on EMT and the metastatic potential of U-87 MG cells. These findings indicated that curcumin-AgNPs exhibit cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and EMT-modulating effects in U-87 MG cells, highlighting their potential as a multifunctional nanoplatform for glioblastoma research. Further studies are required to elucidate their underlying mechanisms.

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In the current study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized and subsequently combined with chitosan (CS) and silver (Ag) to augment their antimicrobial effectiveness. The synthesized TiO₂, TiO₂-CS, and TiO₂-CS-Ag nanocomposites were subjected to various characterization analyses in order to thoroughly assess their structural, morphological, and compositional attributes. XRD analysis substantiated the phase transition from anatase to rutile consequent to incorporation of chitosan and silver, accompanied by a diminution in nanoparticle dimensions. FTIR spectra corroborated the existence of functional groups linked to chitosan and silver, while FESEM illustrated morphological modifications, notably the emergence of polygonal nanostructures within the TiO₂-CS-Ag composite. The antibacterial efficacy of the synthesized nanocomposites was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Although pure TiO₂ demonstrated minimal antibacterial properties, the TiO₂-CS and TiO₂-CS-Ag composites exhibited substantial inhibition zones, with the most pronounced efficacy recorded for the TiO₂-CS-Ag composite attributable to the synergistic interaction between chitosan and silver nanoparticles. BET analysis revealed that the augmented antimicrobial activity was associated with the increased surface area of the TiO₂-CS-Ag nanocomposite.
 

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Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the most important silicon-based compounds, owing to its favorable physical, chemical, and biological properties, and is widely employed in various fields such as electronics, chemical industries, and quantum computing. Several methods have been reported for synthesizing SiC nanoparticles, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), hydrothermal synthesis, carbothermal reduction, and sol–gel processing. Among these, the sol–gel method has attracted significant attention due to its high yield, process controllability, biocompatibility, accessibility of precursors, and ability to produce nanoparticles. In this study, SiC nanosized powders were synthesized through the sol–gel route combined with carbothermal reduction, using tetraethyl orthosilicate (C₂H₅)₄SiO₄) and sucrose (C₁₁H₂₂O₁₁) as the silicon and carbon sources, respectively. The silica/sucrose composite was subjected to carbothermal reduction under an argon atmosphere at a pressure of 10 mTorr in a vacuum furnace at 1350°C for 3 h. The structural properties of the synthesized SiC nanopowders were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while their optical characteristics were investigated through FTIR, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL). This work demonstrates a greener, lower-temperature route to phase-controlled SiC nanoparticles with optically active vacancy centers.

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Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the sol-gel method, followed by calcination at 600 ^oC for 2 h. The XRD pattern indicated that the synthesized CuO NPs had a monoclinic structure, with an average crystallite size of 53 nm. The FT-IR spectra showed that surfactant molecules were adsorbed on the surface of the CuO nanoparticles, along with the presence of Cu-O bonding. The TEM analysis revealed rod-like CuO NPs with diameters of about 50 nm and lengths ranging from 150 to 200 nm. The XPS analysis confirmed that copper and oxygen were synthesized as the main components with Cu²⁺ and O^2-oxidation states. The optical band gap of CuO was calculated to be 3.5 eV. The maximum PL emission was recorded at 430 nm for the 365 nm excitation wavelength, and the change in PL intensity and peak shift was calculated as a function of excitation wavelength. The Mie analysis results also showed that when crystallite sizes increased, so did the maximum values of extinction efficiency, scattering efficiency, asymmetry, and scattering matrix. The findings of this study imply that CuO NPs could be a viable choice for a variety of luminous device applications.