Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaikh Parwaiz, Mohammad Mansoob Khan
Summary: Due to global warming threats, increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure has raised awareness of the importance of sun protection. Sunscreen development is crucial for photoprotection against UV radiation. Upgrading the quality and certifying methods of sunscreen products is necessary to ensure their safety. The effectiveness and safety standards of sunscreen components should be rigorously studied for better use and improvement of available materials. This article summarizes the effects and issues of sunscreen usage, protective measures, and primarily focuses on ultraviolet filters.
BIOPROCESS AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vivek P. Chavda, Devarshi Acharya, Vivek Hala, Shilpa Daware, Lalitkumar K. Vora
Summary: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause of various skin diseases, necessitating the need for UV protection. Nanotechnology has played a significant role in the development of new sunscreen formulations that aim to address the limitations of traditional sunscreens. These advancements have brought about several improvements in terms of UV protection and cosmetic appeal.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
He Hailun, Li Anqi, Li Shiqin, Tang Jie, Li Li, Xiong Lidan
Summary: Natural antioxidants as sunscreens have gained attention due to their protective effects against UV radiation, but their mechanisms of action and potential side effects still need further investigation. Ingredients extracted from plants, animals, microorganisms, and marine organisms can enhance the SPF values of natural sunscreens, but their regulatory effects on skin inflammation, barrier impairment, and aging caused by UV exposure require more research.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Sara Moradi Tuchayi, Zixiao Wang, Jiajun Yan, Lilit Garibyan, Xuefei Bai, Barbara A. Gilchrest
Summary: Over the past 70 years, sunscreens have transformed from beach products to elegant skincare products with the aim of protecting against long-term adverse effects of daily UV and visible light exposure. Unfortunately, sunscreen testing and labeling are often misunderstood and may lead to illegal and dangerous practices. Improved regulatory requirements, better monitoring, and informative labeling would benefit users and their physicians.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Paulina Szo, Maksymilian Fr, Waldemar Pichor
Summary: The influence of sol composition, water content, selected alcohols, deflocculant, and acid on the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 powders obtained by the sol-gel method was investigated. It was found that TiO2 powders containing two polymorphs exhibited superior photocatalytic properties compared to single-phase powders with anatase.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Aguilera, Tamara Gracia-Cazana, Yolanda Gilaberte
Summary: Topical sunscreen application is crucial to protect human skin from sun damaging effects. Recent research has focused on understanding the effects of longer wavelength radiation and developing effective and safe filters for these types of radiation. New technologies, such as reducing calorific radiation and improving skin penetration, have been explored. Additionally, natural sources, including plant products and fungal and bacterial melanin, are being investigated for potential use in sunscreen.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Jose Luis Espinoza-Acosta, Evelyn Guadalupe Figueroa-Espinoza, Maria De los Angeles De la Rosa-Alcaraz
Summary: This paper summarizes and analyzes previous research studies and outstanding findings (from 2016 to 2022) directed at reducing the problems that hinder the extensive application of lignin in skincare products such as sunscreens. By employing strategies such as fractionation, chemical modification, whitening, particle size reduction, and the synthesis of nanocomposites and copolymers, researchers have successfully overcome the challenges associated with using lignin in the development of lignin-based sunscreens.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianyou Wang, Junyi Zhao, Zhen Yang, Lidan Xiong, Li Li, Zhipeng Gu, Yiwen Li
Summary: This review provides a detailed analysis of the role and application of polyphenols in sunscreen materials, as well as discusses the current challenges and future prospects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Enrico Paradisi, Roberto Rosa, Giovanni Baldi, Valentina Dami, Andrea Cioni, Giada Lorenzi, Cristina Leonelli
Summary: This article introduces a new method for fast and simple synthesis of crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with photocatalytic activity, and demonstrates the application of this method in the production of nanotitania.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Albena Bachvarova-Nedelcheva, Reni Iordanova, Angelina Stoyanova, Nelly Georgieva, Veronica Nemska, Tsvetelina Foteva
Summary: This paper examines the influence of B2O3 on the structure, properties, and antibacterial abilities of sol-gel-derived TiO2/TeO2/B2O3 powders. The presence of B2O3 affects the decomposition of Ti butoxide, resulting in the formation of composite materials containing amorphous and crystalline phases. The presence of B2O3 also leads to a red shift in UV-Vis spectra and changes in antibacterial activity.
Review
Dermatology
Cici Zhou, Claudia Lee, Jesse Salas, Janiene Luke
Summary: Disorders of hyperpigmentation disproportionately affect people with darker skin tones and exposure to both visible light and ultraviolet light can contribute to these disorders. Tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides offer better protection against both visible light and ultraviolet light compared to non-tinted sunscreens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monika Ivanusa, Blazka Kumer, Elizabeta Petrovcic, Danaja Stular, Matija Zorc, Ivan Jerman, Marija Gorjanc, Brigita Tomsic, Barbara Simoncic
Summary: This study developed a novel and environmentally friendly method for producing durable antimicrobial and UV blocking coatings on cotton fabrics through in situ biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. The results showed excellent properties of the coatings even after multiple washes.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sohrab Nasiri, Zahra Rahimirad, Mohammad Yousefi Dehaghi, Marzieh Rabiei, Reza Ebrahimi-Kahrizsangi, Arvydas Palevicius, Giedrius Janusas
Summary: Nanocomposites of TiO2-Ag-Ce with different percentages of Ag were prepared and characterized. The nanocomposite with 5%Ag showed the best catalytic performance for methylene blue.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aya Elbrolesy, F. A. Elhussiny, Y. Abdou, Reda Morsy
Summary: In this study, ZnO/Fe3O4 hybrid nanocomposites were synthesized using a one-step combustion method. The nanocomposites exhibited antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, as well as good biocompatibility. Moreover, they provided effective protection against UV and visible light.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammad Mamunur Rashid, Matija Zorc, Barbara Simoncic, Ivan Jerman, Brigita Tomsic
Summary: In this study, TiO2 was applied to cotton textiles using low-temperature application methods at different concentrations. Various characterization techniques were used to evaluate the treated samples, showing that 2% and 4% TIIP concentrations applied at low temperatures had the best performance in terms of UV protection and photocatalytic activity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Roberto Angelo Postelnicu, Maria Viorica Ciocilteu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Claudiu Nicolicescu, Alexandra Costachi, Manuel Amzoiu, Johny Neamtu, Catalina Gabriela Pisoschi, Andreea Gabriela Mocanu, Gabriela Rau, Emilia Amzoiu
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a more advanced method of using existing drugs by synthesizing a multicomponent biopolymeric nanocomposite material, which acts as a local drug release system. The researchers synthesized polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles and functionalized them with polydopamine (PDA) and bisphosphonates. The resulting composite material showed improved properties compared to the individual materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ludmila Motelica, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Bogdan-Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Ecaterina Andronescu, Alina Maria Holban
Summary: In this paper, the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by forced solvolysis in different alcohols was reported, and the influence of alcohol type (n-butanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerin) on the size and properties of the NPs was studied. The photocatalytic activity of the NPs against a dye mixture and their antibacterial effects were also investigated. The results showed that the NPs exhibited good photocatalytic activity, with degradation efficiency reaching 99.99%, and strong inhibition of bacterial growth, indicating their potential applications in water purification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joanna Kisala, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Renata Wojnarowska-Nowak, Tomasz Szreder
Summary: This study presents the degradation of TBBPA using two Fe3O4 magnetic photocatalysts (F1 and F2). The results indicate that both catalysts are effective for the reductive degradation of TBBPA. Quantum chemical calculations show that the degradation process follows the Eley-Rideal mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luminita Predoana, Elena Madalina Ciobanu, Gabriela Petcu, Silviu Preda, Jeanina Pandele-Cusu, Elena Maria Anghel, Simona Viorica Petrescu, Daniela Cristina Culita, Adriana Baran, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Adelina C. C. Ianculescu
Summary: The tin-doped TiO2 powders were synthesized using sol-gel and microwave-assisted sol-gel methods, with different amounts of SnO2 precursor. The structure and morphology of the annealed nanopowders were characterized using various techniques. The Sn-doped materials showed high photocatalytic efficiency for the removal of methyl orange dye from aqueous solutions, with a degradation efficiency of around 90% after 3 hours of UV light irradiation.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Cristina-Ioana Dobrita, Alina-Ioana Badampoi, Georgeta Voicu, Adrian-Ionut Nicoara, Simina-Maria Dumitru, Maria-Eliza Puscasu, Stefania Chiriac, Razvan Ene, Florin Iordache
Summary: Porous bioceramic scaffolds with adequate mechanical and biological properties were successfully obtained using 3D printing technique, showing great potential for applications in hard tissue engineering. The precision and reproducibility of 3D printing technology, as well as the controllability of scaffold shape and pore size, contribute to the positive results obtained.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Catalina Birca, Oana Gherasim, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Cristina Chircov, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Ovidiu Cristian Oprea, Ecaterina Andronescu, Miruna Silvia Stan, Carmen Curutiu, Lia Mara Ditu, Alina Maria Holban
Summary: The use of a microfluidic platform with a cross-shape design was explored in this study for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. The precursor concentration and purging speed were varied as experimental parameters. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Alginate-based hydrogels containing hyaluronic acid and silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and wound treatment efficiency.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marin Cernea, Roxana Radu, Harvey Amorin, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Vasile Adrian Surdu, Roxana Trusca, Raluca Gavrila, Carmen Galassi
Summary: Motivated by the goal of developing ultralow power, smart and multifunctional nano (micro) electronic devices, research has shown unwavering interest in synthesis methods, architectures and interphase connectivity of composites containing magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases, known as magnetoelectric (ME) materials. Herein we report on CoFe2O4/0.92Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.08BaTiO3 biphasic ME composites, obtained by sol-gel chemistry, by mixing the precursor sols of the two phases into one precursor sol and further transforming it into gel, with the goal of obtaining homogeneous nanocomposites with magnetoelectric properties. The structural properties, the temperature dependance of dielectric properties, the magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of these biphasic mixtures, with various molar ratios CoFe2O4/ BNT-BT0.08 = 0.5:1, 1:1 and 1.5:1, are investigated. It is observed that the amount of CoFe2O4 and the synthesis in situ of these composites influences their macroscopic properties showing a high difficulty of carrying out an efficient poling resulting in small piezoelectric and magnetoelectric response. It was concluded that the synthesis procedure, the type of architecture and the interphase connectivity are of outmost importance for magnetoelectric properties based on lead-free materials. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Roxana-Elena Patru, Catalina Andreea Stanciu, Elena Mirabela Soare, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Roxana Doina Trusca, Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Georgia Boni, Luminita Amarande, Nadejda Horchidan, Lavinia Petronela Curecheriu, Liliana Mitoseriu, Lucian Pintilie, Ioana Pintilie, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu
Summary: Dense fine-grained Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 ceramics were prepared by sol-gel synthesized nanopowders and Spark Plasma Sintering consolidation. The grain size was reduced from 214 nm to 74 nm by changing the SPS parameters. Impedance Spectroscopy revealed diffuse ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transitions and low dielectric permittivity values (<1000) at the Curie temperature (T-C around 280 K) in all sintered ceramics. The reduction in grain size led to a gradual decrease in dielectric constant, tunability, polarization, and storage energy properties. Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of polar nanoclusters above T-C. The observed properties of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 nanostructured ceramics were attributed to the interplay between grain size reduction, the role of low-permittivity grain boundaries, and the diffuse nature of the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric transformation.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Chircov, Alexandra Catalina Birca, Lorena Alexandra Danciulescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Roxana-Doina Trusca, Ecaterina Andronescu
Summary: This study aimed to improve the control over the properties of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) by incorporating usnic acid (UA) through two synthesis methods. The results showed that the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method achieved better drug loading efficiency, size, stability, and magnetic properties compared to the co-precipitation method. The cytotoxicity of the UA-loaded MNPs was also demonstrated through the XTT assay, indicating their potential for anticancer treatment applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Andrada Elena Alecu, Gabriel-Costin Balaceanu, Eliza Maria Puscasu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Roxana Trusca
Summary: This study aimed to obtain porous ceramics based on diopside and akermanite at low sintering temperatures. The ceramic bodies were characterized and analyzed using various methods. The results showed that the ceramic materials had open porosity ranging from 32.5% to 34.6%, with a maximum compressive strength of 11.4 MPa. The cell viability was above 70% and an apatitic phase layer could rapidly develop, making these materials good candidates for use in hard tissue engineering.
Article
Polymer Science
Alexandra Elena Stoica (Oprea), Alexandra Catalina Birca, Dan Eduard Mihaiescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Anton Ficai, Hildegard Herman, Balta Cornel, Marcel Rosu, Sami Gharbia, Alina Maria Holban, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Ecaterina Andronescu, Anca Oana Hermenean
Summary: The majority of the world's PET is used for fiber production (over 60%) and food packaging (30%), making it a major pollutant. This study aims to create and analyze nanostructured membranes made from recycled PET and Fe3O4@UA nanoparticles using electrospinning. The resulting fibers inhibit microbial colonization and biofilm formation, offering potential applications in food packaging and antimicrobial textiles.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Maria-Gabriela Alexandru, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu, Oana Carp, Daniela C. Culita, Silviu Preda, Cristian D. Ene, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Adrian-Ionut Nicoara, Florentina Neatu, Ioana Pintilie, Diana Visinescu
Summary: Two new families of zinc/cobalt/aluminum-based pigments with unique compositions were synthesized through the polyol method. The hydrolysis process of a mixture of Co(CH3COO)(2), Zn(acac)(2), and Al(acac)(3) in 1,4-butanediol resulted in dark blue gels (wPZn(x)Co(1-x)Al) and light green powders (PZnxCo1-xAl) for water-containing and water-free procedures, respectively. Calcination of the precursors produced dark green (wZn(x)Co(1-x)Al) and blue (ZnxCo1-xAl) products. The pigments exhibited bright colors with a moderate degree of luminosity, and high blueness according to CIE L*a*b* and C* colorimetric parameters.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
George-valentin Saftoiu, Carolina Constantin, Adrian-ionut Nicoara, George Pelin, Denisa Ficai, Anton Ficai
Summary: This article investigates the properties of glass fiber composite specimens made from a mixture of EPOLAM 2001 resin and hardener with different concentrations. The study also examines the influence of resin amount, hardener amount, drying time, and drying temperature on the final material properties.
UNIVERSITY POLITEHNICA OF BUCHAREST SCIENTIFIC BULLETIN SERIES B-CHEMISTRY AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vladimir Lucian Ene, Valentin Razvan Lupu, Claudiu Vasile Condor, Roxana Elena Patru, Luminita Mirela Hrib, Luminita Amarande, Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Lucian Pintilie, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu
Summary: Fine-tuning of grain sizes can greatly affect the interaction between different dielectric phenomena, allowing the development of materials with tailored dielectric responses. Understanding the relationship between grain size and dielectric properties can lead to the design and optimization of materials for specific applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mihail Elisa, Bogdan Alexandru Sava, Mihai Eftimie, Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Ileana Cristina Vasiliu, Madalin Ion Rusu, Cristina Bartha, Monica Enculescu, Andrei Cristian Kuncser, Mihai Oane, Cesar Elosua Aguado, Diego Lopez-Torres
Summary: A sol-gel film based on lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots was synthesized and found to be a potential nanostructured composite material for temperature sensor systems. The film, belonging to the Al2O3-SiO2-P2O5 system, exhibited optical, structural, and morphological properties. The film was prepared using the sol-gel method combined with the spin coating technique, and the size of the lead sulfide nanocrystallites was confirmed. The film maintained the optical emission characteristic of the PbS quantum dots.
