Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sweta Gahlot, Bhagyesh Purohit, Erwann Jeanneau, Shashank Mishra
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of three types of metal nanoparticles with a simple decomposition mechanism at ultra-low temperatures, and demonstrates their potential application in technologies sensitive to harsh conditions.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rongrong Pan, Min Hu, Jia Liu, Dongfeng Li, Xiaodong Wan, Hongzhi Wang, Yuemei Li, Xiuming Zhang, Xiuli Wang, Jun Jiang, Jiatao Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that ZnIn2S4 monolayers with dual defects show optimized light absorption and carrier dynamics, with the dual defects serving as active sites for water oxidation (Ag dopants) and reduction (nanoholes) to achieve steady performance in photocatalytic overall water splitting without the need for cocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V. Gayathri, E. Praveen, K. Jayakumar, S. Karazhanov, C. Raja Mohan
Summary: In this study, the performance of Graphene Quantum Dot (GQD) and MWCNT embedded Copper Cobalt Sulfide (CCS) composites for energy conversion and storage was investigated. The synthesized composites were characterized to determine their crystalline nature, shape, and chemical content. Electrochemical analysis showed that the GQD embedded CCS/MWCNT composite exhibited significant electrochemical activity and electrical conductivity. The power conversion efficiency of the composites was determined, with the CCS/MWCNT/GQD composite having the highest efficiency. The composite with GQD had the maximum effective specific capacity and retained 70% capacitance after 1200 charge-discharge cycles. Thus, the GQD-supported CCS microstructure is a suitable electrode material for integrated energy conversion and storage devices.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lihui Chen, Haifeng Hu, Yuzhou Chen, Jing Gao, Guohua Li
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of additive metal cations with variable valency to direct the morphology evolution of semiconductor nanoparticles. Different metal cations can guide the transition of nanoparticle morphology from disks to tetrahedra. Additionally, heterostructured nanoparticles can be achieved through partial cation exchange, which is otherwise inaccessible by traditional synthetic approaches.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Limei Wang, Yu Sun, Fuyong Zhang, Jingting Hu, Wentao Hu, Shunji Xie, Yongke Wang, Jun Feng, Yubing Li, Genyuan Wang, Biao Zhang, Haiyan Wang, Qinghong Zhang, Ye Wang
Summary: Despite numerous studies on photocatalysis, there has been limited success in using semiconductors to synthesize industrially important bulk chemicals. However, this study successfully designed and fabricated single-atom rhodium-doped nanorods, which showed record-breaking efficiencies in producing ethylene glycol, a key bulk chemical used for polyester manufacturing, through photocatalysis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joana L. Lopes, Maria J. Martins, Helena I. S. Nogueira, Ana C. Estrada, Tito Trindade
Summary: The article reviews the application of carbon-based nanostructures in water purification, focusing on the photocatalytic mechanisms and applications of carbon nanostructures, and the importance of improving light harvesting and reducing recombination of photo-generated charge carriers.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
B. Silva-Gaspar, R. Martinez-Franco, G. Pirngruber, A. Fecant, U. Diaz, A. Corma
Summary: Metal microporous chalcogenides are promising photocatalytic materials with a sustainable and environmentally friendly potential, offering alternatives to traditional metal oxides.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Chunlan Tang, Wenhao Xing, Naizheng Wang, Jian Tang, Zheshuai Lin, Jieyun Wu, Wenlong Yin, Bin Kang
Summary: Two new metal chalcohalides Cs2InPS4X2 (X = Cl, Br) with mixed-anion structure were successfully synthesized using the mixed-anion strategy, showing excellent optical and thermal stability and enriching the structural diversity of inorganic chalcohalides.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dejian Zhu, Shifeng Li, Juntong Huang, Zhi Chen, Zihan Hu, Juan Li, Xibao Li, Huiyong Yang, Zhijun Feng
Summary: The Ni3S2/Ni@N-doped carbon composite electrode showed excellent performance as an anode for alkali metal batteries, likely due to the combined effect of Ni and C layer. This work offers a simple approach to design high-performance materials that can potentially replace current alkali ion battery anodes in commercial production.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kar Woon Tan, Chun Man Yap, Ziyue Zheng, Choon Yian Haw, Poi Sim Khiew, Wee Siong Chiu
Summary: Solar steam generation using metal oxide semiconductors as photoabsorbers has received much attention due to its wide application and abundant energy source. This review investigates the nanostructure, synthesis method, and installation method of recently reported solar evaporators using metal oxide semiconductors. The importance of metal oxide semiconductor nanostructure in regulating photothermal efficiency is emphasized. Other considerations, such as cost, stability, reproducibility, recyclability, and regenerative ability, are suggested for future synthesized photoabsorbers. The divergent applications and challenges and opportunities of metal oxide solar steam generation are also discussed.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xi Zhu, Shuangyi Liu
Summary: Transition bimetallic sulfide CuNi2S4 with improved structure and conductivity shows promising potential as a material for hybrid supercapacitors.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jakub Lisiecki, Pawel Szabelski
Summary: This study investigates the on-surface self-assembly process of metal-organic precursors and explores the role of different building blocks in network structure formation. The results show that suitable functionalization of monomeric units can effectively control the porosity and properties of the network.
Article
Energy & Fuels
G. Surender, Fatin Saiha Omar, Shahid Bashir, M. Pershaanaa, S. Ramesh, K. Ramesh
Summary: Renewable energy requires efficient storage devices for balancing electricity demand and supply. In this study, a cobalt sulfide electrode modified with different metals, such as manganese and copper, demonstrated enhanced performance in terms of specific capacitance and cycling stability. Among the electrodes tested, Mn-CoS-3/NF exhibited the best rate capability and capacitance retention, attributed to its unique nanostructure and low internal resistance.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Qian-Ting Xu, Shan-Shan Han, Jia-Nuo Li, Sheng-Ping Guo
Summary: Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play a significant role in laser-related techniques. Chalcogenides are the main candidates for developing infrared NLO materials. Inspired by its unique anionic structure, NaGa3Se5 was investigated and found to possess a new NLO-functional motif. NaGa3Se5 exhibits a large and phase-matchable NLO response, and has the largest band gap among noncentrosymmetric compounds. The origin of its NLO properties is explored through theoretical analysis.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ginena Bildard Shombe, Malik Dilshad Khan, Jonghyun Choi, Ram K. Gupta, Marcin Opallo, Neerish Revaprasadu
Summary: Mixed metal sulfides show great potential for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. The composition-dependent supercapacitive and water splitting performance of Ni(1-x)CuxCo2S4 solid solutions prepared via solvent-less pyrolysis were investigated. The materials exhibited varying supercapacitive and electrocatalytic properties depending on the composition.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Natercia C. T. Martins, Sara Fateixa, Tito Trindade
Summary: In this study, hydrophobic paper-based SERS substrates with high reproducibility and uniformity were fabricated by inkjet printing Ag colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) on office paper pre-treated with chitosan (CH) or N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC). Coating the paper with these biopolymers substantially improved the SERS performance of the paper substrates. Crystal violet (CV) 100 µM was used as a molecular probe, and an increase of about 9-fold and 7-fold in the observed SERS intensity was observed when the papers were coated with CH and TMC, respectively. The coated substrates also showed improved reproducibility compared to non-coated office paper.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos J. P. Monteiro, Maria G. P. M. S. Neves, Cristina Nativi, Adelaide Almeida, Maria Amparo F. Faustino
Summary: Cellulose is a versatile starting material for developing sustainable materials, and its combination with photoactive dyes enables selective microorganism killing in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This review focuses on porphyrinic photosensitizers supported on cellulose materials and their synthetic routes for effective photoinactivation. The efficiency of cellulose-based photoactive dyes for cancer treatment using photodynamic therapy is also discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia N. N. Sarabando, Cristina J. J. Dias, Catia Vieira, Maria Bartolomeu, Maria G. P. M. S. Neves, Adelaide Almeida, Carlos J. P. Monteiro, Maria Amparo F. Faustino
Summary: Sulfonamides are effective antibiotics against infections but misuse leads to antibiotic resistance. Porphyrins and analogs have shown good photosensitizing properties as antimicrobial agents, including against MRSA. This study synthesized and evaluated a new sulfonamide-functionalized meso-arylporphyrin and its Zn(II) complex for antibacterial activity against MRSA, both with and without the co-adjuvant KI. Photodynamic studies demonstrated effective photoinactivation of MRSA by all the porphyrin derivatives, with significantly improved outcomes when combined with KI.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rita Silva-Reis, Ana I. I. Faustino-Rocha, Jessica Silva, Abigael Valada, Tiago Azevedo, Lara Anjos, Lio Goncalves, Maria de Lurdes Pinto, Rita Ferreira, Artur M. S. Silva, Susana M. M. Cardoso, Paula A. A. Oliveira
Summary: This study assessed a humane endpoint scoring system to detect animal suffering in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. Results showed that weight loss, polyuria, polyphagia, abnormal posture, abdominal distension, and abnormal stool appearance were the most effective parameters to evaluate humane endpoints in this rat model. This study is important for defining humane endpoints in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Silva-Reis, Artur M. S. Silva, Paula A. Oliveira, Susana M. Cardoso
Summary: Cannabis sativa has been used in medicine for centuries and recent research has focused on its bioactive compounds, particularly cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds have shown antitumor effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) through various mechanisms such as apoptosis, proliferation, metastasis, inflammation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and autophagy. Terpenes like β-caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene also have potential antitumor effects on CRC through apoptosis induction, inhibition of cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. The synergy between cannabinoids and terpenes is believed to be important in CRC treatment. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and safety of these compounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreia F. R. Silva, Rita Silva-Reis, Rita Ferreira, Paula A. Oliveira, Ana I. Faustino-Rocha, Maria de Lurdes Pinto, Manuel A. Coimbra, Artur M. S. Silva, Susana M. Cardoso
Summary: The World Health Organization aims to prevent diabetes through diet, and incorporating resveratrol (RSV) into bread is a suitable way to make it more accessible. This study evaluated the effect of RSV-enriched bread in preventing early type 2 diabetes cardiomyopathy. The results showed that an RSV bread diet can decrease polydipsia and body weight loss in the early stages of the disease.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ricardo M. Ferreira, Adriana M. Costa, Carlos A. Pinto, Artur M. S. Silva, Jorge A. Saraiva, Susana M. Cardoso
Summary: Opuntia ficus-indica fruits are rich in valuable compounds and have high nutritional value and health benefits. However, due to their short shelf life and increased production, there are significant post-harvest losses of these fruits. Therefore, finding ways to utilize the wasted increase in production is necessary. The chemical composition of prickly pear makes it an appealing substrate for fermentation.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Daniela Malafaia, Joana L. C. Sousa, Artur M. S. Silva, Helio M. T. Albuquerque
Summary: We report a new 2-SC derivative, 2,2'-[(1E,1'E)-{[hexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diylbis(oxy)] bis(2,1-phenylene)} bis(ethene-2,1-diyl)] bis(4H-chromen-4-one), which is a dimeric compound formed by linking two units of 2-SC through a 1,3-diyne moiety. The compound was obtained with excellent yield (96%) through the copper-catalyzed homocoupling of two molecules of O-propargyl-2-SC. Its structure was characterized by 1D (H-1 and C-13) and 2D (HSQC and HMBC) NMR techniques as well as HRMS.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Joana L. C. Sousa, Helio M. T. Albuquerque, Artur M. S. Silva
Summary: A new VN derivative, VN-CHO, was synthesized through photoredox-catalyzed hydroxymethylation reaction followed by oxidation. The introduction of a formyl group in VN structure offers a promising site for further functionalization.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sonia N. Pedro, Ana T. P. C. Gomes, Carla Vilela, Carla Vitorino, Rosa Fernandes, Adelaide Almeida, Maria Helena Amaral, Mara G. Freire, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Carmen S. R. Freire
Summary: A new type of microemulsion based on deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been developed to improve the efficacy of antibiotics in ocular infections. By using betaine-based DES aqueous solutions, the water solubility of the antibiotic chloramphenicol can be increased up to 140-fold. These DES solutions are applied as water phases in stable water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) microemulsions, achieving sustained-release and higher permeation through the cornea. Compared to commercialized eye drops, these microemulsions show higher antimicrobial activity and faster action against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Paloma Lopes, A. Sofia M. Joaquinito, Artur Ribeiro, Nuno M. M. Moura, Ana T. P. Gomes, Susana G. Guerreiro, M. Amparo F. Faustino, Adelaide Almeida, Paula Ferreira, Manuel A. Coimbra, M. Graca P. M. S. Neves, Idalina Goncalves
Summary: This study explores the feasibility of incorporating cationic TMPyP into starch-based films to enhance their physicochemical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and wound healing abilities. The results showed that TMPyP not only gave the films a reddish color but also increased their hydrophobicity and the mobility of starch polymeric chains. The films effectively photoinactivated Escherichia coli and facilitated the wound healing process. Thus, the incorporation of TMPyP into starch-based formulations is a promising strategy for developing water tolerant and photosensitive biomaterials that can act as multitarget antimicrobial medical dressings and carriers of active compounds for effective wound healing.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luis F. B. Fontes, Joao Rocha, Artur M. S. Silva, Samuel Guieu
Summary: The effective utilization of luminescent dyes requires a comprehensive understanding of their excitation and relaxation pathways, including Excited-State Proton Transfer (ESPT). Experimental demonstration of ESPT can be challenging due to competing phenomena. A holistic approach, integrating experimental results, computational analysis, and diverse mechanism assessment, is crucial for verifying the occurrence of ESPT.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mariana Sell, Ana Rita Lopes, Maria Escudeiro, Bruno Esteves, Ana R. Monteiro, Tito Trindade, Luisa Cruz-Lopes
Summary: Timely diagnosis and appropriate antitumoral treatments are crucial in combating cancer, which remains a leading cause of death globally. Nanotechnology provides benefits in cancer therapy by reducing adverse effects and enabling targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. This comprehensive review summarizes recent advancements (2010-2023) in the design and application of nanosystems for cancer therapy, covering various classes of nanoparticles and their role in drug delivery, tumor microenvironment, and vasculature. The review also compares strategies for passive and active targeting of nanoparticles and emphasizes their importance in cancer theranostics.
Article
Crystallography
Yasmine Fernine, Natercia C. T. Martins, Mustapha Taleb, Tito Trindade
Summary: Green chemical routes for the synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals have attracted great interest in the field of nanosciences and biological applications. Among these methods, the synthesis of metal colloids using medicinal plant extracts has shown promise in producing nanocrystals with surfaces modified by biologically derived compounds, which can be further explored for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, the development of spectroscopic methods to understand the potential benefits of using formulations containing natural compounds and therapeutic metal nanoparticles is of great relevance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joana L. Lopes, Ana C. Estrada, Sara Fateixa, Nikolai A. Sobolev, Ana L. Daniel-da-Silva, Tito Trindade
Summary: This research focuses on finding a green chemical strategy to enhance the sustainability of bismuth vanadate for photocatalytic water purification. By hydrothermal carbonization of kappa-carrageenan, a biopolymer derived from red seaweeds, monoclinic BiVO4 supported on carbon spheres is successfully prepared. These hybrid materials exhibit visible-light photocatalytic activity for the removal of tetracycline in water. They possess appropriate wavelength range for photon absorption, good adsorption capacity, durability, and the ability to be reused in subsequent catalytic steps, making them cost-effective and sustainable.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2024)
