Cadmium contamination in agricultural soils severely threatens food safety and ecosystem health, demanding innovative remediation strategies. This study investigates iron oxide–silica nanohybrids (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs) for targeted Cd immobilization, leveraging their high surface area, magnetic recyclability, and compatibility with plant–soil systems. The NPs were synthesized via sol–gel co-precipitation (confirmed by XRD/TEM) and functionalized with carboxyl groups to enhance Cd adsorption. Contaminated soil (45 mg/kg Cd) was treated with NPs (0.1–1.0 wt%), and Cd bioavailability was assessed using sequential extraction (BCR method), revealing a 70% reduction in plant-available Cd at 0.5 wt% NP dosage. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) demonstrated Cd sequestration via surface complexation, while FTIR confirmed NP–soil binding mechanisms. The NPs improved soil microstructure (SEM-EDS), increasing porosity by 25% and water retention by 15%, which mitigated compaction stress. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in NP-amended soil showed 60% lower Cd accumulation in edible tissues, alongside enhanced biomass (30% increase). Microbial diversity (16S rRNA sequencing) revealed that NP-treated soils retained Proteobacteria dominance (25% higher abundance), critical for nutrient cycling. The NPs were magnetically recovered with 92% efficiency, enabling reuse. These results highlight Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs as a sustainable, scalable solution for Cd remediation, combining high efficiency with minimal ecological disruption. Future work will optimize field-scale NP deployment and long-term soil health monitoring, addressing gaps in nano-agriculture regulatory frameworks.

This study explores the low-temperature formation of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and examines the structural and morphological changes induced by copper incorporation for potential terahertz applications. YIG precursors were synthesized via a conventional solid-state reaction and calcined at 600 °C. Copper oxide was subsequently introduced at 20 wt% and 30 wt% concentrations. The resulting Cu/YIG nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis to evaluate phase formation, grain size, surface characteristics, and porosity.

XRD analysis confirmed partial garnet phase formation at reduced temperature, with improved crystallinity and noticeable grain growth upon copper doping. FESEM images showed a morphological transition from porous, disconnected particles to more continuous and interconnected network structures with increasing Cu content. BET measurements revealed significantly increased specific surface area and enhanced porosity in the nanocomposite matrix.

These structural evolutions, driven by the presence of copper, suggest improved interconnectivity and conductive pathways in the resulting structure. Furthermore, the partial crystallinity retained at relatively low calcination temperatures highlights the feasibility of energy-efficient, low-cost processing routes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the nanoporous semi-crystalline Cu/YIG composites are promising candidates for terahertz-frequency sensing due to their enhanced surface area, tunable microstructure, and potential for frequency-selective electromagnetic functionality.

Our research aims to improve the performance and chromium resistance of lanthanum nickelate (LNO) air electrodes for solid oxide cells (SOCs). We investigated putting simple perovskite and high-entropy perovskite (HEP) coatings on the LNO backbone. Our findings show that simple perovskite coatings considerably improve LNO oxygen exchange capacities. This improvement results from the incorporation of transition metal cations into the LNO structure, which improves catalytic performance and shows the potential for tailored property modifications. Notably, HEP coatings demonstrated remarkable performance. LNO coated with LSPYB revealed exceptional oxygen exchange capacities under both standard and aging circumstances. Meanwhile, LNO coated with LSPGB demonstrated exceptional chromium resistance, significantly outperforming self-coated LNO in chromium-rich settings. The improved performance of LNO+LSPGB shows that it has special properties that allow it to maintain and even improve functionality under difficult operating situations, such as chromium-contaminated environments or extended operational stress. This phenomenon is due to the intrinsic properties of high-entropy perovskite coatings, which include compositional complexity, structural stability, and resistance to surface degradation. Overall, our results show that high-entropy perovskite coatings have great promise as a technique for dramatically improving the catalytic activity, chemical stability, and chromium resistance of LNO-based electrodes. This discovery paves the way for the development of strong, highly efficient, and long-lasting materials ideal for advanced SOC applications that require great performance, dependability, and resilience under difficult operational conditions.

In this study, silicon carbide (SiC) nanostructures were successfully synthesized through a high-temperature carbothermal reduction process at 1800 °C and subsequently incorporated into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix to fabricate SiC/PVA nanocomposites with varying SiC filler concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 wt%. Comprehensive characterization techniques were employed to investigate the structural, morphological, optical, and dielectric properties of these nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of the cubic 3C-SiC phase, with crystallite sizes estimated between 13.84 nm and 39.23 nm using Williamson–Hall and Debye–Scherrer methods, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed distinct nanowire morphology of the SiC fillers, which plays a crucial role in the overall composite performance. Raman spectroscopy indicated high crystallinity of the nanostructures, supported by an intensity ratio (I_TO/LO) of 1.32. Optical studies using UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated a clear decrease in both direct and indirect band gaps with increasing SiC content, correlating with reduced crystallite sizes and enhanced interaction with the polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman analyses further confirmed strong interfacial bonding between the SiC nanowires and PVA. Dielectric measurements revealed enhanced dielectric constants at low frequencies and elevated temperatures, with the 7 wt% SiC/PVA nanocomposite showing optimal performance attributed to Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization effects and superior filler dispersion. These findings highlight the potential of SiC/PVA nanocomposites in advanced applications such as supercapacitors and sensor devices.

Iron silicide (β-FeSi₂) is known as a promising thermoelectric (TE) material due to its non-toxicity and low cost. However, pure β-FeSi₂ exhibits relatively low TE performance. The performance of β-FeSi₂ can typically be improved through metal substitution. Adding metal usually causes the formation of secondary metallic phases, which degrade the thermopower, leading to a decrease in TE performance. Therefore, understanding the phase transition and its relationship with transport properties is important for optimizing the material’s performance. The present work aims to investigate the influence of Mn addition on the phase change and properties of β-Fe_1-xMn_xSi₂, where x is varied from 0 to 0.10.

The samples were prepared using arc-melting and a heat treatment process. The phase analysis was performed by Rietveld refinement. The electrical and TE properties, such as carrier density, mobility, electrical resistivity, and Seebeck coefficient, were measured by ResiTest8300 and a home-built apparatus. The thermal conductivity was measured by the power efficiency measurement (PEM-2) system.

The results indicate that the amount of semiconducting β-phase drastically drops at x ≥ 0.09, suggesting that the optimum doping level to improve TE performance should be lower than x < 0.09. Compared to other metals such as Co and Ni, it is found that Mn has a higher solid solution limit in β-FeSi₂. Mn tunes the conduction of β-FeSi₂ from n-type to p-type. The electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient decrease with Mn doping due to the increased carrier density and formation of secondary phases. The thermal conductivity moderately increases with Mn addition. As a result, the highest power factor of 970 μWm⁻¹K⁻² and dimensionless figure of merit of ZT = 0.12 are obtained in the x = 0.03 sample.

This study is useful for understanding the phase transition and its influence on the TE properties of metal-doped β-iron silicide compounds.

This research investigates innovative nanostructure-enhanced voltammetric biosensing platforms developed for rapid medical diagnostics. Our laboratory has engineered electrochemical sensors incorporating advanced nanomaterials, including graphene oxide composites, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and functionalized gold nanoparticles, demonstrating remarkable improvements in analytical performance metrics compared to traditional diagnostic approaches. The developed point-of-care devices target clinical settings, demanding rapid diagnostic capabilities. These portable systems integrate sophisticated artificial intelligence frameworks, facilitating automated signal processing, pattern classification, and comprehensive clinical decision assistance. Advanced machine learning algorithms enable patient risk assessment, personalized therapeutic guidance, and predictive modeling for disease trajectory analysis. Our nanostructure-modified electrodes exhibit enhanced sensitivity, improved selectivity, and accelerated response kinetics for biomarker quantification. The electrochemical detection platform provides precise, real-time measurements applicable to bedside testing scenarios. Computational intelligence integration supports automated result interpretation and clinical correlation analysis. Key innovations include device miniaturization, cost-efficient manufacturing, and simplified operational protocols. The portable architecture facilitates deployment across varied healthcare environments, from specialized medical centers to resource-limited settings. Automated data processing minimizes user intervention while maximizing diagnostic accuracy. This intelligent biosensing technology represents transformative advancement toward individualized healthcare and targeted diagnostic approaches. Ongoing developments encompass regulatory compliance strategies, manufacturing scale-up initiatives, and seamless integration with digital health platforms for continuous patient surveillance and chronic condition management.

Introduction:
Graphene oxide (GO), a chemically modified derivative of graphene, has emerged as a highly versatile nanomaterial in the biomedical domain due to its large surface area, rich functional groups, high aqueous dispersibility, and tunable surface chemistry. These properties make GO ideal for applications in drug and gene delivery, cancer diagnosis and therapy, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial treatments.

Methods:
This review synthesizes findings from the recent peer-reviewed literature (2010–2025) on the biomedical utilization of GO. A qualitative methodology was adopted to analyze the mechanisms by which GO interacts with biological systems. Emphasis was placed on evaluating biocompatibility, delivery mechanisms, surface modification strategies, and theranostic capabilities.

Results:
GO-based nanocarriers demonstrated controlled drug release efficiencies of up to 95% and gene transfection efficiencies exceeding 80% when modified with polymers like polyethyleneimine (PEI) or chitosan. In cancer photothermal therapy, GO exhibited tumor inhibition rates of up to 92% under near-infrared (NIR) light. Cellular uptake rates of functionalized GO often exceeded 85%, enhancing targeting precision. Additionally, magnetic GO composites enabled rapid separation and imaging, with minimal toxicity in in vitro systems. However, variability in synthesis methods and concerns over long-term in vivo effects were frequently cited.

Conclusion:
Graphene oxide nanomaterials offer remarkable versatility and efficiency in biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and cancer therapy. While the experimental results are promising, clinical translation is limited by challenges including toxicity, the lack of standardized protocols, and scalability. Future efforts should focus on green synthesis, long-term biocompatibility, and multifunctional platform development to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and real-world medical applications.

This research explores the use of industrial by-products as stabilizers to enhance the bearing capacity of clayey soils, aiming to offer more sustainable alternatives to conventional lime or cement stabilization methods. Specifically, the feasibility of using ladle furnace slag (LFS) as a binder instead of lime was investigated. This study evaluated its key properties, including plasticity, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and expansive behavior. Additionally, the impact of incorporating fibers sourced from the mechanical recycling of wind turbine blade waste (WTBW) on UCS was examined. The results indicate that the addition of LFS to the soil led to a slight decrease in the plasticity index. Moreover, the CBR of the soil improved significantly, increasing from 5.3% to 74% immediately after mixing with 5% LFS. After 90 days of curing, UCS improvements of 87%, 246%, and 479% were observed for mixes with 5%, 8%, and 16% LFS, respectively, compared to untreated soil. These improvements surpassed those achieved with 2% lime stabilization by 44%. Furthermore, incorporating 1% recycled WTBW fiber into the mix with 8% LFS enhanced UCS by 30% after 90 days of curing compared to the mix without fibers and by 313% relative to untreated soil. These findings suggest that the combined use of LFS and WTBW fibers can effectively improve the mechanical properties of clayey soils, offering a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional soil stabilization methods.

Introduction:
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced epoxy composites have emerged as high-performance materials due to their ability to significantly enhance mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Their nanoscale dimensions, high aspect ratio, and exceptional tensile strength make CNTs ideal candidates for improving load-bearing capacity and structural integrity in epoxy matrices, with applications spanning the aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering industries.

Methods:
This review synthesizes findings from over a dozen recent studies that examined the effects of varying CNT concentrations, functionalization, dispersion techniques, and hybridization with other nanomaterials such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Data were analyzed in terms of the following key mechanical indicators: tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, fracture toughness, impact resistance, and elastic modulus.

Results:
Significant mechanical enhancements were observed with optimal CNT loadings. A 0.5 wt% CNT addition improved transverse tensile strength by 32.7% and modulus by 9% . At 2.0 vol%, tensile strength and modulus increased by 26.7% and 21.5%, respectively. Functionalization with amino groups led to a 42% improvement in tensile strength and 95% in fracture toughness. Flexural strength rose by 44% and flexural modulus by 16% with 1.5 wt% COOH-MWCN. Synergistic reinforcement using CNT/GNP hybrids improved impact strength by 69%, while thermal stability increased by 130%. Optimal mechanical performance was typically achieved at CNT concentrations between 0.15 wt% and 0.8 vol%.

Conclusion:
CNT incorporation markedly enhances the mechanical properties of epoxy composites through improved stress transfer, crack deflection, and interfacial bonding. Functionalization and hybridization further amplify these effects. However, uniform dispersion and optimal loading remain critical for maximizing benefits. Future research should focus on scalable processing methods and hybrid architectures to overcome current challenges and expand industrial adoption.

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, collectively known as MXenes, have emerged as highly versatile and conductive materials for energy storage applications. Their layered structure, hydrophilic surfaces, and excellent electrical conductivity make them ideal candidates for use in next-generation electrochemical devices. This research focuses on tailoring the surface chemistry of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes to enhance their electrochemical performance, particularly in supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. By applying controlled chemical etching, thermal treatments, and targeted surface modifications, we demonstrate improved ion diffusion pathways, higher pseudocapacitive behavior, and enhanced cyclic stability.

A series of characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were employed to correlate surface terminations (–OH, –O, –F) with electrochemical activity. Furthermore, hybrid electrode architectures combining MXenes with conductive polymers and transition metal oxides were developed to synergistically improve energy and power densities.

The findings highlight the crucial role of surface functionalization in tuning the charge storage mechanism of MXenes and demonstrate practical pathways for scalable fabrication of high-performance, sustainable electrode materials. This work offers valuable insights into the design of MXene-based nanomaterials for energy storage systems, especially for applications requiring fast charge/discharge cycles and long-term operational stability.