RSC Advances最新文献

The exploration of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-based nanoplatforms for drug delivery has attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this study, a bimetallic ZIF (BZIF) containing Zn and Co was synthesized through a simple one-pot approach under mild conditions. The formation of BZIF was confirmed through comprehensive physicochemical characterization. Curcumin (CUR) was subsequently loaded onto BZIF to obtain the CBZIF nanoplatform. CBZIF exhibited pH-responsive CUR release, with cumulative release reaching 78.19% at pH 5.5 compared with 44.25% at pH 7.4 after 72 h. In vitro studies demonstrated that CBZIF maintained favorable biocompatibility toward normal L929 cells while exhibiting enhanced anticancer activity against C26 cancer cells compared with free CUR and pristine BZIF. Overall, these findings suggest that CBZIF is a promising nanoplatform for pH-responsive CUR delivery and provide a basis for further investigation of its potential biomedical applications.

While certain transition metals are biologically essential at ultra-trace concentrations, the persistent presence of non-essential heavy metals poses severe risks to human health due to their toxicity and bioaccumulation potential. Accurate monitoring in commercial beverages is mandatory to ensure compliance with international safety standards but is frequently hampered by complex matrices containing high levels of organic acids and sugars. This study presents a comprehensive framework, ranging from the multi-objective optimization of carboxylated cellulose synthesis to its application in dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) for the trace determination of Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ in commercial beverages. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a multi-target optimization scheme established the precise equilibrium between functionalization efficiency and structural preservation. For the d-SPE process, systematic evaluation determined that a pH of 8.0, 50.0 mg of adsorbent, and 30 seconds of ultrasonic dispersion provided the ideal conditions for simultaneous metal recovery. The method utilized a preconcentration step to bridge the sensitivity gap for inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis via rapid desorption with 0.2 M HNO₃. Validation conducted according to AOAC and ICH guidelines demonstrated excellent performance in both bottled mineral water and canned fruit juice matrices. Across spiking levels of 30.0 and 60.0 µg L^-1, average recoveries consistently fell within the 80-110% range. Notably, the method remained robust in fruit juice samples despite high organic content, maintaining stable recoveries for all target analytes and effectively mitigating matrix-induced interferences. These results underscore the stability of optimized functionalized cellulose as an eco-friendly and efficient d-SPE sorbent for routine trace metal monitoring in commercial food products.

Wheat is one of the most widely consumed cereal grains across the world because of its versatile adaptability and applications. Nearly 25% of the global cereal production is contributed by wheat. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fibres, and vitamins. While wheat is generally a stable food with low moisture content, multiple interventions have been researched on the enhancement of the functional, morphological, and physicochemical properties of protein, starch, and dietary fibres of wheat. In addition to modification of the properties, an increase in shelf life of the product has also been explored through different processing techniques. Among the novel methods, ultrasonication is a non-thermal food processing technology that enhances shelf life and quality of food. Conventional thermal processing techniques help in improving shelf life but can destroy heat-sensitive nutrients. Ultrasonication provides a practical solution by simultaneously improving shelf life and quality and preserving thermally sensitive nutrients. Ultrasonication has been proven efficient in attaining sustainability, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring precision in food production and quality control. Ultrasonication has been used extensively on wheat and wheat-based products. Numerous studies are focused on using ultrasound to modify the properties of the dough. Other studies focus on the effect of ultrasound on the structure of the wheat grain components like starch and proteins. This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies that involve wheat and ultrasonication. It reviews the effects of ultrasonication on the composition and functionality of the grain. The mechanism by which ultrasonication contributes to preservation by enzyme microbial inactivation has also been reviewed. Various studies on ultrasonication of wheat grains, dough, or other products have been summarized, and their results, which have been validated by various analytical techniques like SEM, FT-IR technology, and texture analysis, are discussed.

The combined effect of π-linkers and terminal groups presents a powerful yet underexplored strategy for boosting the performance of benzotriazole (BZ)-based non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). In this computational study, we employ density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) to design and evaluate the photovoltaic performance of five benzotriazole (BZ)-core-based non-fullerene small molecule acceptors (BD1-BD5). These molecules are engineered by modifying the terminal acceptor groups of a reference structure (BZE-31) and incorporating a methyl thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate π-linker. The designed molecules exhibit a pronounced bathochromic shift in absorption (λ _max = 690-939 nm in chloroform) and significantly reduced optical band gaps (1.66-2.24 eV) compared to the reference. In particular, BD4, functionalized with a 4-methylene-5-oxocyclopent-1-ene-1-sulfonyl chloride end-group, demonstrates the most promising optoelectronic profile. It achieves the narrowest band gap (1.66 eV), the highest red-shifted absorption (939 nm), the lowest exciton binding energy (0.31 eV), and an exceptional short-circuit current density (J _sc ≈ 22 mA cm^-2). This superior optoelectronic synergy transforms into an idealized theoretically estimated power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.48% for BD4. Concurrently, BD1 (with a malononitrile end-group) also shows superior performance, with a high predicted PCE. A comprehensive analysis of frontier molecular orbitals, density of states, transition density matrices, and global reactivity descriptors confirms effective intramolecular charge transfer and favorable charge separation in the designed systems. The estimated PCEs for the most promising candidates, BD4 and BD1, reach 23.48% and 22.61%, respectively. This work provides a detailed theoretical blueprint demonstrating that π-linker incorporation and strategic terminal group engineering work in a combined manner and are highly effective strategies for tailoring the optoelectronic properties of BZ-based NF-SMAs. The high-performance candidates (BD1 and BD4) offer valuable theoretical insights for the experimental synthesis of next-generation, high-efficiency organic photovoltaic materials.

Biodiesel is a promising sustainable alternative to fossil diesel, but its deployment is limited by challenges in catalyst efficiency, stability, reusability, and process optimization. Metal-doped activated carbon (AC) and biochar-based catalysts have attracted considerable attention owing to their high surface area, tunable porosity, and low-cost production from waste biomass. In parallel, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful tool for biodiesel yield prediction, process modeling, and optimization. However, these research areas have largely progressed separately. This review combines scientometric analysis with a systematic review to examine advances in waste-derived AC and biochar-based catalysts and ML applications in biodiesel production. Catalyst synthesis, activation, metal doping, physicochemical properties, catalytic performance, stability, and reusability are critically evaluated alongside ML-based prediction and process optimization approaches. An integrated catalyst-process-performance framework is further discussed to highlight opportunities for incorporating catalyst descriptors into data-driven biodiesel modeling. The review identifies key research trends, knowledge gaps, and future opportunities for advancing sustainable and scalable biodiesel production.

Biliary strictures remain a major therapeutic challenge because conventional plastic and self-expandable metal stents are limited by occlusion, repeat intervention, migration, and tumor ingrowth. Bioresorbable biliary stents offer temporary mechanical scaffolding and, when functionalized, can also provide local therapeutic delivery without permanent foreign-body retention. This review focuses on the engineering decisions that determine whether these devices can move beyond descriptive promise toward indication-specific translation. We compare polymeric and emerging metallic biodegradable platforms, distinguish in vitro, preclinical in vivo, and expected real-bile degradation behavior, and critically evaluate the trade-offs among radial force retention, flexibility, fatigue resistance, radiopacity, drug release, biofilm resistance, manufacturability, and clinical readiness. Current evidence suggests that polydioxanone (PDO)- and copolymer-based designs may be more suitable for benign or post-surgical indications requiring temporary support, whereas malignant obstruction may require longer patency, stronger radial force, and carefully controlled antiproliferative or chemotherapeutic release. However, available human data include selected cohorts and registries but remain limited in comparative strength, so claims regarding long-term efficacy, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness should remain cautious until larger comparative trials are available.

Bacterial infection and impaired wound closure remain the leading causes of refractory cutaneous wound healing disorders, inflicting substantial global morbidity and mortality while exacerbating the crisis of antibacterial resistance. Infected cutaneous wounds present a persistent clinical difficulty, given that bacterial infection and inadequate wound closure exacerbate one another. Here, we constructed a hydrogel platform that integrates antibacterial activity and active wound closure through ion-mechanical coupling. The system combines thermoresponsive, catechol-functionalized network with core-shell nanoparticles consisting of a metal-organic framework shell (MOF) encapsulating a liquid metal core (LM). Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the liquid metal generates heat that triggers network contraction to mechanically close the wound. Simultaneously, sustained release of Zn²⁺ and Ga³⁺ from the nanoparticles provides continuous, antibiotic free antibacterial activity. In a mouse MRSA infected wound model, this hydrogel achieves complete closure within 14 days with improved tissue regeneration. By integrating ion mediated antibacterial action, photothermal bacterial inactivation, and active mechanical contraction in a single platform, this design addresses the intertwined challenges of infection and impaired closure without the compromises of conventional approaches.

(Deep) eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as versatile designer solvents because of their simple preparation, broad compositional flexibility, and highly tunable physicochemical properties. Hydrophobic (deep) eutectic solvents (HDESs), first reported in 2015, further extend the potential of eutectic solvents to aqueous and multiphase systems by exhibiting limited affinity toward water. This feature has generated growing interest in HDESs for separation, resource recovery, pollutant removal, gas capture, and reaction processes. Despite their rapid development, HDES research remains relatively young, and fundamental questions regarding HDES definition, characterization, and rational design remain unresolved. Moreover, while most previous reviews have largely focused on specific HDES formulations or applications, the experimental and computational tools required to systematically characterize, understand, and design these solvents have received comparatively limited attention. This review addresses this gap by providing a practical framework connecting HDES fundamentals, experimental characterization, computational modeling, rational design, and applications. Key physicochemical properties, including density, viscosity, thermal stability, phase behavior, and hydrophobicity/water stability, are discussed together with the information provided by different characterization methods, their advantages, limitations, and recommended uses. Computational approaches, including quantum chemical calculations, COSMO-RS, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning, are further reviewed as complementary tools for elucidating molecular interactions, predicting solvent behavior, and guiding solvent design. HDES applications are discussed according to the phase configuration and physical role of the solvent, including liquid-liquid extraction, solid-liquid extraction, gas-liquid absorption, and reaction media. Finally, key challenges and future research needs are discussed to support the advancement of HDESs toward rationally designed and practically viable solvent systems.

Environmental pollution has become a hot research topic and a grave issue throughout the world. The presence of plastic and its derivatives almost everywhere and in every segment of the environment has polluted water (the marine environment), soil, and even the atmosphere. Plants, animals and microorganisms are all equally affected. In this review article, we have discussed in detail the applications of plastics, especially micro/nanoplastics, their global distribution and their uses. The aging of plastic and its consequences on the physical and chemical properties of plastic-based materials is discussed. The effects of micro/nanoplastics on water, soil, plants, crop productivity, and animals (both aquatic and terrestrial) have been discussed in detail. Recycling of plastics (physical and chemical) and techniques for their eradication, including physical, biological and advanced chemical methods, to cope with plastic-based pollution have been discussed. The theory and mechanisms behind the biotic removal, adsorption, density separation, ultrafiltration, froth floatation, ozonation, coagulation, electrocatalytic oxidation and photocatalytic oxidation of micro/nanoplastics to deal with plastic pollution and its impacts properly have been discussed in detail. Although several review articles on the eradication of plastics have been published, and a huge amount of research work to reduce the impacts of plastic-based pollution is underway, the eradication mechanisms are still in the developmental stages and systematic debates are lacking. This review article presents a detailed discussion of the recent expansions in the removal of plastic-based materials and their upcycling into energy-rich compounds. The role of biochar in the removal of plastic-based materials is also debated. Finally, future perspectives and research gaps in the field of plastic-based pollution and the removal of micro/nanoplastics from various sectors of the environment are presented.

Developing cathode materials with superior framework stability, affordability, and eco-friendliness is a key focus of sodium-ion battery research. Herein, a Na₄Fe₃(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇) carbon-coated (NFPP@C) composite is synthesized through an adjustable calcination process using the sol-gel method to enhance cathode conductivity and electrochemical performance. The study offers new insights into the electrochemical behaviour of NFPP-based polyanion systems at low-potential storage sites, particularly at a lower cutoff potential of 0.5 V. The results demonstrate the ability of the NFPP@C cathode to operate within a lower cutoff potential window (0.5-3.5 V) while maintaining a significant specific capacity, delivering an initial specific capacity of 124 mAh g^-1 at 0.05 A g^-1 and 105 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1 over 500 cycles, with the capacity increasing with cycling. However, achieving excellent specific capacity comes at the expense of battery health, i.e., the cathode material loses its significant structure, degrading the voltage plateau where the specific phase occurs during the discharge/charge cycle, increasing the polarization by an IR drop and plateau difference, and increasing the cathode electrolyte interface (CEI). To emphasize these results, the potential window of 1-3.5 V is studied to explore the impact of deep discharge. At the potential window of 1-3.5 V, the cathode demonstrates excellent capacity stability with a coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99%, delivering a specific capacity of 70 mAh g^-1 over 300 cycles. Moreover, the cathode maintains its phase transitions, exhibiting uniform charge and discharge plateaus, low polarization, and low total resistance. Eventually, this study lays the groundwork for further research on the potential window of the NFPP@C cathode for sodium-ion batteries and the development of a mechanistic strategy.