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The increasing focus on health and hygiene has expanded the need for protective measures on material surfaces. In this regard, developing antibacterial concrete and mortar capable of eliminating viruses and bacteria is crucial. However, a key challenge in cementitious systems is the inability to maintain long-term antibacterial effectiveness when titanium dioxide (TiO 2) is used as the sole photocatalyst. To address this limitation, this study aimed to enhance the antibacterial properties of TiO 2 by modifying it with silver (Ag) using a planetary ball mill. Concrete and mortar samples incorporating the modified material were produced, and their antibacterial performance was evaluated over both short and long durations. So the originality of this study was to evaluate the performance of cementitious system surfaces against repeated bacterial attacks using a specific mechanical alloying method in the modification of TiO 2 with Ag. Additionally, the modified products were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) imaging, grain size analysis, and band gap energy measurements. The impact of the components on antibacterial efficiency was statistically analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results demonstrated that Ag-containing samples achieved a 100% bacterial killing rate in all experimental replicates. These findings confirm that Ag-TiO 2 alloying was successfully achieved via planetary ball milling, providing concrete with sustained antibacterial properties in both early and long-term applications.

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) are promising for harvesting renewable and abundant mechanical energy with high efficiency. Up to now, published research studies have mainly focused on increasing the sensitivity and output of PENGs. The technical challenges in relation to practicability, comfort, and antibacterial performance, which are critically important for wearable applications, have not been well addressed. To overcome the limitations, we developed an all-nanofiber PENG (ANF-PENG) with a sandwich structure, in which the middle poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (P(VDF-HFP))/ZnO electrospun nanofibers serve as the piezoelectric layer, and the above and below electrostatic direct-writing P(VDF-HFP)/ZnO nanofiber membranes with a 110 nm Ag layer on one side that was plated by vacuum coating technique serve as the electrode layer. As the ANF-PENG only has 91 µm thick and does not need further encapsulating, it has a high air permeability of 24.97 mm/s. ZnO nanoparticles in ANF-PENG not only improve the piezoelectric output, but also have antibacterial function (over 98%). The multifunctional ANF-PENG demonstrates good sensitivity to human motion and can harvest mechanical energy, indicating great potential applications in flexible self-powered electronic wearables and body health monitoring.

The present work reported the eco-benevolent fabrication of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs) utilizing the leaf extract of Polyalthia longifolia as the biofuel for the first time. CdO NPs were fabricated employing the green approach, and physicochemical traits of the as-fabricated CdO NPs were revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), zeta potential, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. Results demonstrated that the CdO NPs appeared to be wire and spherical-shaped topology with a size of 42 nm, as confirmed by FESEM and XRD. The biological property of CdO NPs was examined as an antibacterial agent against Bacillus subtilis , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Proteus mirabilis . Moreover, the chemical features of CdO NPs were evaluated as a glucose/dextrose sensor for electrochemical sensing. From the outcomes, the eco-benignly produced CdO NPs served the role of a bio-sensor and antibacterial agent and can be an attractive choice for applications in the advanced biomedical sector. Graphical Abstract Highlights First-time disclosed report on Polyalthia longifolia leaves extracts-assisted production of CdO NPs through a sustainable, affordable, and eco-benevolent protocol. Physicochemical functionalities of CdO NPs were examined using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, zeta potential, and BET analyses. As-fabricated CdO NPs showed potential antibacterial performance against B. subtilis , E. coli , S. aureus , and P. mirabilis using a disc diffusion assay. In addition, electrochemical glucose/dextrose sensing studies of CdO NPs were investigated.

Natural rubber (NR) latex foam is one of the rubber products that are increasingly in demand in the market. This is simply because of its lightweight, good thermal insulation, and resilience. The applications of NR latex foam are mostly for pillows and mattresses. This has resulted in these products requiring antibacterial performance which is very important for the safety of the end-users. In this study, the antibacterial NR latex foam was prepared by incorporating the silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-doped ZnO) into the NR latex foam. Ag-doped ZnO was prepared by microwave-assisted method and then characterized through morphological characteristics and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The content of Ag doped onto ZnO was designed by varying the AgNO3 content at 15 wt%, 50 wt%, and 100 wt% of ZnO. The results confirmed that the Ag was successfully doped onto ZnO. The silver particles were found to be in the 40–50 nm range, where the size of ZnO ranges between 300 and 400 nm, and the Ag attached to the ZnO particles. The XRD patterns of Ag-doped ZnO correspond to planes of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure and cubic metallic Ag. This Ag-doped ZnO was further added to NR latex foam. It was observed that Ag-doped ZnO did not affect the physical properties of the NR latex foam. However, it is clear that both the inhibition zone and percent reduction of bacteria (e.g., E. coli and S. aureus) were enhanced by the addition of Ag-doped ZnO. It showed a decrease in the amount of cell growth over contact time. The content of 100 wt% AgNO3 could reduce E. coli and S. aureus up to 64.72% and 58.90%, respectively, when samples were maintained for 24 h. This study provides a scientific understanding of how Ag-doped ZnO could facilitate the development of eventual rubber foam products based on the respective results.

The antibacterial performance of biocomposite films prepared from lignocellulosic waste (hazelnut husk or hazelnut leafy green cover) modified with silver nanoparticles and polylactic acid (PLA) was determined. The amount of hazelnut husk in the PLA matrix ranged from 10 to 40% by weight in 10% increments. The composite pellets were produced using a twin-screw extruder. Biocomposite films of 0.6 mm x 40 mm x 200 mm were produced from the pellets in a laboratory hydraulic hot press. The surfaces of the modified hazelnut husk and biocomposite specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The antibacterial activity of the biocomposite films against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was determined using the ASTM E 2149 (2020) method. The antibacterial activity of the biocomposite films increased noticeably with the addition of hazelnut husk modified with the silver nanoparticles. Compared to the pure PLA film, the biocomposite films with 10 wt% modified husk flour showed the lowest antibacterial activity (31.3%) against S. aureus over 24-h while the films with 40 wt% showed the highest antibacterial activity (99.9%). The biocomposite films made of hazelnut husk flour with silver nanoparticles and PLA matrix could be considered for food packaging applications.

Non-stoichiometric copper sulfide (Cu2-xS) nanomaterials are promising antibacterial agents, but the role of morphology in regulating their bactericidal performance remains poorly understood. Herein, we rationally design two types of Cu2-xS nanostructures, namely nanoplates (NPs) and superparticles (SPs). Both materials were prepared via a ligand-directed synthesis method with the comparable sizes, surface ligands, and crystal phase. The antibacterial behaviors of Cu2-xS NPs and Cu2-xS SPs against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were investigated under dark and 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. The results showed that under NIR light irradiation, Cu2-xS SPs exhibit a markedly higher bactericidal efficiency against both E. coli and S. aureus than Cu2-xS NPs, leading to almost complete eradication of bacterial colonies. Notably, S. aureus shows more sensitive than E. coli, and significant growth inhibition is observed even in the absence of laser irradiation. Mechanistic investigations reveal that hierarchical assembly of primary nanoparticles in SPs can promote multiple internal light scatterings, thereby significantly enhancing light harvesting efficiency and further improving the photothermal conversion efficiency. In addition, the SPs exhibited higher peroxidase-like activity, resulting in enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and aggravated oxidative damage, and the accelerated Cu2+ release kinetics strengthens ionic toxicity.

Quaternized cellulose nanofibrils (quaternized CNFs) with different cationic group contents were prepared and applied as multilayer paper coatings to develop sustainable antibacterial and barrier materials. Increasing the cationic group content (160–660 µmol/g) reduced CED viscosity and yield stress, indicating weakened network structures and reduced interfibrillar interactions These rheological changes improved coating flow and layer uniformity, leading to denser coating layers with enhanced air barrier performance and water resistance. Antibacterial tests revealed clear contact-active antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, which increased with cationic group content and coating layer number, likely because the immobilized quaternary ammonium groups more effectively interacted with the exposed negatively charged cell membrane. In contrast, antibacterial performance against Gram-negative bacteria remained limited, likely due to the protective outer membrane. Within the investigated range, a maximum cationic group content of approximately 660 µmol/g was sufficient for Gram-positive bacteria, whereas higher contents may be required for effective activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Zirconia ceramic is an ideal dental restoration material owing to its good biocompatibility, superior physical behaviors, and excellent aesthetic properties. However, peri-implant inflammation and excessive occlusal surface wear are critical issues that hinder the clinical application of zirconia ceramic dentures. The surface texturing technique is an unique means to improve the surface properties of products, such as biocompatibility. This paper provides a detailed overview of the definition and development of surface texturing techniques. A comprehensive review is conducted on the machining mechanisms and features of common texture preparation techniques, such as laser texturing and ultrasonic vibration texturing. The mechanisms of surface textures on the tribological behaviors, wettability, and antibacterial behaviors of specimens such as restorations are deeply discussed. The limitations of current studies on surface texturing techniques of dental zirconia ceramics and the future prospects are outlined. The review can help scientists improve the currently available cost-effective texture preparation process and develop high-performance denture restorations.

In this study, we examined whether catalysts with many defects have excellent photoactivity. We prepared ZnO nanoplates with varying degrees of defects in a short time of 4 h by varying the crystal growth temperature at 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C under a strong alkali NaOH atmosphere of 4.0 M. During high-temperature preparation of ZnO, crystal defects were reduced and crystallinity was further increased. In crystallized systems over 100 °C, rhombic nanoplates were used to control particle shape and induce growth in only two axes. The PL, Raman, and XPS analyses confirmed the presence of strong oxygen vacancies in all ZnO nanoplates, and the vacancies decreased with increasing crystallization temperatures. Methylene blue (MB) dye was initially fixed at 50 mg/L with a peak decrease in absorption at 600–700 nm, confirming its decomposition over time. For the 5 h reaction, the MB removal concentration follows the following order: ZnO-50 < ZnO-100 < ZnO-150 < ZnO-200. The study confirms that ZnO-200 nanoplates with fewer oxygen vacancies decompose MB more quickly. ZnO-200 nanoplates synthesized at 200 °C provided the best sterilization performance when tested against gram-positives and gram-negatives, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. ZnO-200 nanoplates after 3 h showed a high sterilization performance of 96.95% (86.67% in a dark room) for staphylococcus aureus and 95.82% (74.66% in a dark room) for Escherichia coli when irradiated with light. Particularly noteworthy in this study is that ·OH and ·O2− radicals are generated more strongly in ZnO-200 than in ZnO-50 nanoplates. These results show that too-strong oxygen vacancies rather inhibit the antibacterial performance, and that the virtue of moderation also exists in the catalytic activity.

Ti3Al2V demonstrated comparable mechanical performance to Ti6Al4V. Adding 3 wt.% Cu in Ti3Al2V reduced planktonic bacteria colonies by 78%–86% compared to commercially pure Ti. Ti3Al2V–10Ta displayed the best in vivo biocompatibility with 3.5-fold higher bone formation than Ti6Al4V. Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu multifaceted alloy has the potential to replace Ti6Al4V in orthopedic and dental applications with superior early-stage osseointegration and inherent antibacterial performance. Bacterial colonization of orthopedic implants is one of the leading causes of failure and clinical complexities for load-bearing metallic implants. Topical or systemic administration of antibiotics may not offer the most efficient defense against colonization, especially in the case of secondary infection, leading to surgical removal of implants and in some cases even limbs. In this study, laser powder bed fusion was implemented to fabricate Ti3Al2V alloy by a 1:1 weight mixture of CpTi and Ti6Al4V powders. Ti-Tantalum (Ta)–Copper (Cu) alloys were further analyzed by the addition of Ta and Cu into the Ti3Al2V custom alloy. The biological, mechanical, and tribo-biocorrosion properties of Ti3Al2V alloy were evaluated. A 10 wt.% Ta (10Ta) and 3 wt.% Cu (3Cu) were added to the Ti3Al2V alloy to enhance biocompatibility and impart inherent bacterial resistance. Additively manufactured implants were investigated for resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains of bacteria for up to 48 h. A 3 wt.% Cu addition to Ti3Al2V displayed improved antibacterial efficacy, i.e. 78%–86% with respect to CpTi. Mechanical properties for Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy were evaluated, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance, exceptional shear strength, and improved tribological and tribo-biocorrosion characteristics when compared to Ti6Al4V. In vivo studies using a rat distal femur model revealed improved early-stage osseointegration for alloys with 10 wt.% Ta addition compared to CpTi and Ti6Al4V. The 3 wt.% Cu-added compositions displayed biocompatibility and no adverse inflammatory response in vivo . Our results establish the Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy’s synergistic effect on improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance for the next generation of load-bearing metallic implants.