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The utilization of polymer/metal organic framework (MOF) nanocomposites in various biomedical applications has been widely studied due to their unique properties that arise from MOFs or hybrid composite systems. This review focuses on the types of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in drug delivery and imaging applications. Initially, a comprehensive introduction to the synthesis and structure of MOFs and bio-MOFs is presented. Subsequently, the properties and the performance of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in these applications are examined, in relation to the approach applied for their synthesis: (i) non-covalent attachment, (ii) covalent attachment, (iii) polymer coordination to metal ions, (iv) MOF encapsulation in polymers, and (v) other strategies. A critical comparison and discussion of the effectiveness of polymer/MOF nanocomposites regarding their synthesis methods and their structural characteristics is presented.

Graphene-based nanocomposites possess excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical properties. These materials have potential applications in high-performance transistors, biomedical systems, sensors, and solar cells. This paper presents a critical review of the recent developments in graphene-based nanocomposite research, exploring synthesis methods, characterizations, mechanical properties, and thermal properties. Emphasis is placed on characterization techniques and mechanical properties with detailed examples from recent literature. The importance of characterization techniques including Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for the characterization of graphene flakes and their composites were thoroughly discussed. Finally, the effect of graphene even at very low loadings on the mechanical properties of the composite matrix was extensively reviewed.

The environmental threat posed by brilliant green dye necessitates the development of advanced materials with superior adsorption efficiency and structural tunability. In this study, two novel multifunctional nanocomposites, MgO/CaCrO 4 /CaCO 3 /CaO/C (MC600) and MgO/Ca 5 (CrO 4 ) 3 O 0.5 /C (MC800), were successfully fabricated using a tailored Pechini sol–gel method. This work introduces a temperature-controlled phase-engineering approach that induces distinct structural evolution, from multiphase composites at 600 °C to highly crystalline, thermodynamically stable phases at 800 °C. The average crystallite sizes, estimated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, were found to be 60.68 nm for MC600 and 65.88 nm for MC800. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) showed that MC600 had agglomerated particles with rough textures, whereas MC800 displayed more defined spherical particles with improved homogeneity. The results were consistent with those obtained from high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) imaging, showing irregular, highly agglomerated shapes in MC600 and well-defined, mostly spherical to quasi-hexagonal particles in MC800, reflecting enhanced crystallinity and reduced aggregation. Adsorption studies demonstrated excellent performance in brilliant green removal, with maximum capacities of 246.91 mg/g for MC600 and 229.89 mg/g for MC800, outperforming some conventional adsorbents. The adsorption mechanism was spontaneous, physical, and exothermic, following the Langmuir-based adsorption model and first-order kinetic model kinetics. Moreover, the MC600 nanocomposite exhibited good reusability, maintaining over 85% removal efficiency after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) proved to be a promising semiconductor for the photocatalytic degradation of various organic pollutants. However, its efficacy is limited by a fast electron hole recombination, a restricted quantity of active sites, and a modest absorption in the visible range. To overcome these limitations, g-C3N4-Bi2S3 and g-C3N4-ZnS composites were effectively produced utilizing a starch-assisted technique. The findings from FT-IR, XRD, EDX, XPS, BET, SEM, and TEM demonstrated that the enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4-Bi2S3 and g-C3N4-ZnS composites was primarily due to their improved photocarrier separation and transfer rates. The photocatalyst facilitated the aerobic photocatalytic degradation of colorless contaminants such as coumarin and para-nitrophenol (4-NP). For the decomposition of 4-NP, g-C3N4-Bi2S3 exhibited a maximum efficiency of 90.86% in UV light and 16.78% in visible light, with rate constants of 0.29 h−1 and 0.016 h−1, respectively. In contrast, g-C3N4-ZnS demonstrated a maximum efficiency of 100% in UV light and 15.1% in visible light, with rate constants of 0.57 h−1 and 0.018 h−1, respectively. The bioinspired synthesis combined with the modification with metal sulfides proved to considerably enhance the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4, increasing its potential for practical applicability in environmentally friendly water treatment systems for the efficient removal of recalcitrant organic contaminants.

In the last decade, significant developments of flexible and stretchable force sensors have been witnessed in order to satisfy the demand of several applications in robotic, prosthetics, wearables and structural health monitoring bringing decisive advantages due to their manifold customizability, easy integration and outstanding performance in terms of sensor properties and low-cost realization. In this paper, we review current advances in this field with a special focus on polymer/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based sensors. Based on the electrical properties of polymer/CNTs nanocomposite, we explain underlying principles for pressure and strain sensors. We highlight the influence of the manufacturing processes on the achieved sensing properties and the manifold possibilities to realize sensors using different shapes, dimensions and measurement procedures. After an intensive review of the realized sensor performances in terms of sensitivity, stretchability, stability and durability, we describe perspectives and provide novel trends for future developments in this intriguing field.

Orthorhombic titanic acid nanotubes (TAN) have large BET surface area and small-diameter one-dimensional nanotubular morphology, so they can work as a good supporter and a precursor of TiO sub(2). However, in our former research, we found that calcination of TAN to anatase TiO sub(2) would destroy the nanotubular structure and decrease the BET surface area sharply. In this work, we utilized the pillar effect of the foreign nanoparticles (La sub(2)O sub(3)) to keep the nanotubular morphology of TiO sub(2), and obtained the anatase TiO sub(2) nanotubes with large BET surface area. For improving the photocatalytic activity, Pd nanoparticles were loaded as the electron traps on the surface of La-doped TiO sub(2) by photo-deposition method. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectra, and N sub(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms measurement. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the removal of propylene under visible light irradiation ( lambda greater than or equal to 420 nm). The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of Pd-loaded La-doped TiO sub(2) nanotubes improved effectively compared with that of La-doped TiO sub(2) and pure TiO sub(2).

Globally, environmental challenges have been recognised as a matter of concern. Among these challenges are the reduced availability and quality of drinking water, and greenhouse gases that give rise to change in climate by entrapping heat, which result in respirational illness from smog and air pollution. Globally, the rate of demand for the use of freshwater has outgrown the rate of population increase; as the rapid growth in town and cities place a huge pressure on neighbouring water resources. Besides, the rapid growth in anthropogenic activities, such as the generation of energy and its conveyance, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, warming the planet. Polymer nanocomposite has played a significant role in finding solutions to current environmental problems. It has found interest due to its high potential for the reduction of gas emission, and elimination of pollutants, heavy metals, dyes, and oil in wastewater. The revolution of integrating developed novel nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and activated carbon, in polymers, have instigated revitalizing and favourable inventive nanotechnologies for the treatment of wastewater and gas separation. This review discusses the effective employment of polymer nanocomposites for environmental utilizations. Polymer nanocomposite membranes for wastewater treatment and gas separation were reviewed together with their mechanisms. The use of polymer nanocomposites as an adsorbent for toxic metals ions removal and an adsorbent for dye removal were also discussed, together with the mechanism of the adsorption process. Patents in the utilization of innovative polymeric nanocomposite membranes for environmental utilizations were discussed.

The clinical detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), a tumor marker in biological samples, improves and facilitates the rapid screening and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. A simple, low cost, fast, and green synthesis method to prepare a viable carbon quantum dots/gold (CQDs/Au) nanocomposite fluorescence immunosensing solution for the detection of CA 19-9 was reported. The present method is conducted by preparing glucose-derived CQDs using a microwave-assisted method. CQDs were employed as reducing and stabilizing agents for the preparation of a CQDs/Au nanocomposite. The immobilized anti-CA 19-9-labeled horseradish peroxidase enzyme (Ab–HRP) was anchored to the surface of a CQDs/Au nanocomposite by a peptide interaction between the carboxylic and amine active groups. The CA 19-9 antigen was trapped by another monoclonal antibody that was coated on the surface of microtiter wells. The formed sandwich capping antibody–antigen–antibody enzyme complex had tunable fluorescence properties that were detected under excitation and emission wavelengths of 420 and 530 nm. The increase in fluorescence intensities of the immunoassay sensing solution was proportional to the CA 19-9 antigen concentration in the linear range of 0.01–350 U mL−1 and had a lower detection limit of 0.007 U mL−1. The proposed CQDs/Au nanocomposite immunoassay method provides a promising tool for detecting CA 19-9 in human serum.

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is a promising antibacterial material, the efficacy of which can be further enhanced by the addition of silver nanoparticles (nAg). In this study, the mechanisms of antibacterial activity of rGO–nAg nanocomposite against several important human pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria, namely Gram-positive coccal Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rod-shaped Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis are investigated. At the same concentration (100 µg/ml), rGO–nAg nanocomposite was significantly more effective against all three pathogens than either rGO or nAg. The nanocomposite was equally active against P. mirabilis and S. aureus as systemic antibiotic nitrofurantoin, and significantly more effective against E. coli . Importantly, the inhibition was much faster in the case of rGO–nAg nanocomposite compared to nitrofurantoin, attributed to the synergistic effects of rGO–nAg mediated contact killing and oxidative stress. This study may provide new insights for the better understanding of antibacterial actions of rGO–nAg nanocomposite and for the better designing of graphene-based antibiotics or other biomedical applications.

Polymeric nanocomposites (PNC) have an outstanding potential for various applications as the integrated structure of the PNCs exhibits properties that none of its component materials individually possess. Moreover, it is possible to fabricate PNCs into desired shapes and sizes, which would enable controlling their properties, such as their surface area, magnetic behavior, optical properties, and catalytic activity. The low cost and light weight of PNCs have further contributed to their potential in various environmental and industrial applications. Stimuli-responsive nanocomposites are a subgroup of PNCs having a minimum of one promising chemical and physical property that may be controlled by or follow a stimulus response. Such outstanding properties and behaviors have extended the scope of application of these nanocomposites. The present review discusses the various methods of preparation available for PNCs, including in situ synthesis, solution mixing, melt blending, and electrospinning. In addition, various environmental and industrial applications of PNCs, including those in the fields of water treatment, electromagnetic shielding in aerospace applications, sensor devices, and food packaging, are outlined.