{"title":"Terahertz liquid networks: a mesoscopic passive architecture for circumventing physical deadlocks in brain-computer interfaces.","authors":"Chenyan Zhou, Xinran Ding, Jiamin Zhao, Xuanhao Gu, Zhengyang Xu","doi":"10.1039/d6na00618c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00618c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for major neurological disorders face physical and physiological limitations. Mechanical mismatch in rigid microelectrode arrays precipitates chronic immune rejection and irreversible central nervous system damage, whereas bandwidth scaling in traditional wireless links inevitably breaches the 1 °C tissue thermal safety threshold. To circumvent this deadlock among bandwidth, heat dissipation, and biocompatibility, this review proposes the \"terahertz liquid network\" architecture. Utilizing injectable plasmonic nanoparticles as free-floating relay nodes, this architecture fundamentally abolishes the mechanical shear stresses characteristic of conventional implant interfaces. Exploiting broadband and dielectric properties of terahertz (THz) waves, the network achieves cross-scale bioelectronic integration across both physical and physiological boundaries. For communication and decoding, the system bypasses the strong THz absorption barrier of brain tissue <i>via</i> non-line-of-sight multipath scattering and THz-photoacoustic cross-modal transduction. Integrating these mechanisms with passive backscattering fulfills the terabits-per-second (Tbps) absolute bandwidth requirements dictated by full-cortical, high-fidelity motor decoding. For neuromodulation, specific THz photon energies are directed at voltage-gated ion channels to induce targeted non-thermal resonance, mediating precise, subcellular-level interventions devoid of macroscopic current overflow. Through an analysis of typical clinical scenarios-namely, audiovisual perception reconstruction and physical neural injury rehabilitation-this review demonstrates the feasibility of this architecture in resolving the conflict between high-throughput concurrency and stringent physiological constraints. Ultimately, the terahertz liquid network reconfigures the neural interface paradigm from a macroscopic active solid-state to a mesoscopic passive liquid-state. This transition grants the system superior biocompatibility and endows it with disease-modifying potential targeting underlying pathologies, establishing a trajectory for next-generation BCIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13656409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isaac Baidoo, Paromita Sarbadhikary, Blassan P George
{"title":"A berberine-functionalized green silver nanoplatform for combined chemo-photodynamic therapy against breast cancer cells.","authors":"Isaac Baidoo, Paromita Sarbadhikary, Blassan P George","doi":"10.1039/d6na00593d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00593d","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, while recurrence, multidrug resistance, and systemic toxicity continue to limit therapeutic outcomes. Berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline alkaloid with chemo-photodynamic potential, exhibits promising anticancer activity; however, poor solubility, low cellular uptake, and rapid photodegradation restrict its clinical application. This study developed and evaluated berberine-loaded biogenic silver nanoparticles (BBR-AgNPs) as a multifunctional nanoplatform for enhanced breast cancer therapy. BBR-AgNPs were synthesized using <i>Senna didymobotrya</i> leaf extract and characterised using UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential analysis, SEM-EDS, and HR-TEM. Photochemical activity was assessed by generating singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 405 and 470 nm irradiation, while biological activity was evaluated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The nanoparticles exhibited a negative surface charge (-32.6 mV) and a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 300 nm, with size heterogeneity evident from DLS analysis. BBR-AgNPs generated significantly higher ROS levels and enhanced photocytotoxicity compared with free BBR, reducing IC<sub>50</sub> values below 2.0 µg mL<sup>-1</sup> in MCF-7 cells and to approximately 3.0 µg mL<sup>-1</sup> in MDA-MB-231 cells under irradiation. Nanoparticle delivery also enhanced intracellular BBR uptake, mitochondrial depolarization, and apoptosis, supporting the potential of BBR-AgNPs as a combined chemo-photodynamic platform for further investigation in breast cancer models.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13633101/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149112366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Umberto Pelliccia, Alberto M Ruiz, Diego López-Alcalá, Gonzalo Abellán, Rafael González-Hernández, José J Baldoví
{"title":"Twist-engineering of a robust quantum spin Hall phase in β-/flat bismuthene bilayer from first principles.","authors":"Umberto Pelliccia, Alberto M Ruiz, Diego López-Alcalá, Gonzalo Abellán, Rafael González-Hernández, José J Baldoví","doi":"10.1039/d6na00301j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6na00301j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Twist-engineering of topological phases in two-dimensional materials offers a powerful route to modulate electronic structure beyond conventional strain or chemical control. In particular, group 15 (pnictogens) monolayers such as bismuthene provide an ideal platform due to their strong intrinsic spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and robust topological character. Here, we investigate a previously unexplored heterostructure consisting of a β-bismuthene monolayer rotated by 30° on a planar bismuthene layer stabilized on a SiC(0001) substrate. Using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that this specific rotational alignment induces a unique interlayer orbital hybridization which, combined with the strong SOC and the naturally broken inversion symmetry, gives rise to a pronounced Rashba spin-splitting, absent in the isolated monolayers. The topological nature of the system is confirmed through the calculation of the <i>Z</i> <sub>2</sub> topological invariant and spin Hall conductivity (SHC), revealing a robust quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase with an enhanced topological response compared to the individual layers. Furthermore, we explore the chemical tunability of this system <i>via</i> Sb substitution, showing that the gradual reduction of SOC systematically narrows the band gap while preserving the non-trivial topology. Our results establish large-angle twisted group 15 heterostructures as a versatile platform for engineering spin-orbit-driven phenomena and advancing topological spintronics.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13647123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interface engineering and strain-tuned half-metallicity, magnetic anisotropy and spin transport in VI<sub>3</sub>-based van der Waals heterostructures.","authors":"Ardhendu Dey, Arijit Sen","doi":"10.1039/d6na00590j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6na00590j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) magnetic heterostructures provide a versatile platform for engineering spin-dependent phenomena. Despite growing interest in intrinsic 2D magnets, VI<sub>3</sub>-based vdW heterostructures remain largely unexplored. Using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that interlayer coupling in VI<sub>3</sub>-based heterostructures induces intrinsic half-metallicity, enhances magnetic anisotropy, and enables strain-tunable spin transport. Among the considered stacking configurations, AB-stacked VI<sub>3</sub>/CrGeTe<sub>3</sub> is the most stable, whereas AB-stacked VI<sub>3</sub>/FeI<sub>3</sub> is the least stable. Phonon spectra, elastic constants, and <i>ab initio</i> molecular dynamics simulations confirm the stability of all systems except VI<sub>3</sub>/FeI<sub>3</sub>, which is thermally stable only at cryogenic temperatures. Interlayer hybridization and charge redistribution drive intrinsic half-metallicity in VI<sub>3</sub>/CrI<sub>3</sub>, VI<sub>3</sub>/CrGeTe<sub>3</sub>, and VI<sub>3</sub>/FeGeTe<sub>3</sub>, while VI<sub>3</sub>/FeI<sub>3</sub> remains a spin-polarized semiconductor. Under biaxial strain, VI<sub>3</sub>/CrI<sub>3</sub> retains half-metallicity throughout the investigated ± 10% strain range, whereas VI<sub>3</sub>/FeI<sub>3</sub> undergoes a semiconductor-to-half-metal transition and the telluride-based heterostructures become metallic. Heterostructure formation enhances magnetic anisotropy and reorients the magnetic easy axis of VI<sub>3</sub> from in-plane to out-of-plane, with strain enabling controllable easy-axis switching. Spin-transport calculations predict tunneling magnetoresistance exceeding 250%, reaching approximately 340% in Co(111)-based VI<sub>3</sub>/CrI<sub>3</sub> magnetic tunnel junctions. These results identify VI<sub>3</sub>-based vdW heterostructures as promising platforms for strain-engineered spintronic devices, with VI<sub>3</sub>/CrI<sub>3</sub> emerging as the most promising candidate owing to its persistent half-metallicity, enhanced magnetic anisotropy, and exceptionally high tunneling magnetoresistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13647225/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149136931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahabur Rahman Fahim, Jahirul Islam, Abu Shahid Chowdhury, Md Tawabur Rahman, Kamal Hossain
{"title":"Monolayer WX<sub>2</sub> (X = S, Se) as a drug delivery carrier for anticancer drugs hydroxyurea and nitrosourea: a first-principles study.","authors":"Mahabur Rahman Fahim, Jahirul Islam, Abu Shahid Chowdhury, Md Tawabur Rahman, Kamal Hossain","doi":"10.1039/d6na00580b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00580b","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer continues to pose a major threat to global health, requiring the investigation of novel drug delivery systems to address the drawbacks of current treatments. In our work, we investigated monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for their possible use as an effective vehicle for the targeted and effective administration of anticancer drugs. We conducted first-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the interactions between two widely used anticancer drugs, hydroxyurea (HU) and nitrosourea (NU), with WS<sub>2</sub> and WSe<sub>2</sub> nanosheets. Our findings revealed that both drugs were physisorbed onto the TMDs, demonstrating a favorable negative adsorption energy with a peak of -0.74 eV. Further, the band structure and charge density difference (CDD) analysis were performed to comprehensively elucidate the interaction between the drugs and the carriers. Hirshfeld charge transfer analysis showed that electronic coupling is most significant in the HU-WS<sub>2</sub> complex, followed by HU-WSe<sub>2</sub>, NU-WS<sub>2</sub>, and NU-WSe<sub>2</sub>. Moreover, the adsorbed drug molecules can be efficiently desorbed from the substrates upon exposure to visible light, indicating their prospective use in photothermal therapeutic applications. This study also investigated drug recovery times, showing the possibility of long-term drug delivery using temperature-dependent processes, such as photothermal treatment. These findings highlight the potential for developing a theoretical framework to clarify the remarkable ability of WS<sub>2</sub> and WSe<sub>2</sub> systems to function as highly effective nanocarriers for HU and NU drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13657088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Arshad Kamran, Areej Rani, Wasif Ali, Mansour Alhabradi, Li Chen, Hui Qi Wong, Hung-Ju Yen
{"title":"Cadmium-doped molybdenum nanospheres as emerging energy and environmental electrode materials.","authors":"Muhammad Arshad Kamran, Areej Rani, Wasif Ali, Mansour Alhabradi, Li Chen, Hui Qi Wong, Hung-Ju Yen","doi":"10.1039/d6na00770h","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6na00770h","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cadmium-doped strontium molybdate (CSMO) nanospheres were synthesized and systematically evaluated for bifunctional applications in energy storage and photocatalysis. The optimized CSMO-9% exhibited uniform morphology, reduced band gap, and enhanced conductivity. Superior electrochemical performance and remarkable photocatalytic dye degradation highlight CSMO's potential as an efficient, multifunctional material for sustainable energy and environmental applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13643389/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149137921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of ligand denticity and molecular size on surface ligand packing of CdSe/CdS quantum dots: an FTIR-based comparative analysis.","authors":"Naoki Chihara, Kunisato Kuroi, Minkyo Jung, Fumihiko Fujii","doi":"10.1039/d6na00490c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00490c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are fluorescent nanoparticles widely used in life science research and optoelectronic applications. For aqueous applications, QDs are commonly solubilized using hydrophilic thiol ligands, including bidentate dithiol compounds. The surface ligand packing density is a key parameter for their use in various applications, such as fluorescence imaging and biosensing, because it influences nanoparticle stability, self-assembly, and interactions with biological environments. However, ligand densities on the surfaces of water-solubilized QDs are difficult to quantify. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of ligand size and denticity on surface packing using CdSe/CdS QDs functionalized with four hydrophilic thiol ligands: glutathione and an artificial heptapeptide as monodentate models, and dithiothreitol and dihydrolipoic acid as bidentate ligands. The surface ligand densities were comparatively evaluated using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Although the absolute values of the ligand densities appeared to be overestimated, clear systematic trends were observed: larger or bidentate ligands exhibited lower packing densities. These trends are consistent with steric hindrance and restricted rotational freedom, as supported by geometrical analysis, indicating that bidentate ligands likely adopt extended conformations on the QD surface. These results demonstrate how molecular size and denticity govern ligand packing on aqueous QDs. Despite concerns over Cd toxicity, CdSe-based QDs remain valuable model systems for QD research. The present findings may also provide a useful framework for investigating ligand packing in more environmentally benign QD systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13659299/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Phuong N Nguyen, Linh Chi Nguyen, Long V Le, Chinh Hoang Tran, Tuan M Nguyen
{"title":"Silver nanoparticles as electron mediators in a Z-scheme g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/rhenium complex photocatalyst for CO<sub>2</sub>-to-CO reduction.","authors":"Phuong N Nguyen, Linh Chi Nguyen, Long V Le, Chinh Hoang Tran, Tuan M Nguyen","doi":"10.1039/d6na00399k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00399k","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A hybrid photocatalyst g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag/Re, comprising silver nanoparticle (AgNP) modified graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag) nanosheets and [Re(CO)<sub>3</sub>(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarbonyl acid)Cl], was successfully constructed. Compared with g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Re, g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag/Re exhibits enhanced photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub>-to-CO conversion under visible-light irradiation, demonstrating that AgNPs improve the interfacial interaction between g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and the Re complex. The turnover number (TON) for CO of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag/Re reaches 70.60 at 150 min, representing 7.60- and 1.31-fold increases compared with the Re complex and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Re, respectively. The CO selectivity of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag/Re and g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Re is determined to be 94.5% and 94.8%, respectively. These results indicate that AgNP modification enhances the visible-light absorption of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, promotes charge separation, and facilitates interfacial electron transfer from g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> to the Re complex. The photocatalytic mechanism of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/Ag/Re is proposed to follow a Z-scheme-like charge-transfer pathway, in which g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> acts as the light-harvesting component, the Re complex serves as a CO<sub>2</sub> reduction site, and AgNPs function as electron mediators. This study provides a promising strategy for developing highly efficient photocatalysts for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13628777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149111899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Near-infrared light-controlled catalytic hairpin assembly fluorescent biosensor for the sensitive and specific detection of fibroblast activation protein.","authors":"Jiayi Wu, Xingchun Zheng, Jinhua Huang, En Chen","doi":"10.1039/d6na00437g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6na00437g","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is significantly upregulated in activated cardiac fibroblasts after myocardial infarction, and its serum concentration is negatively correlated with cardiac function, infarct size, and ischemia score. It is an ideal biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of cardiovascular disease. In this work, a fluorescent biosensor based on a near-infrared light-controlled catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) signal amplification strategy was developed for highly sensitive and specific detection of FAP. First, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are synthesized, and then the surface of the UCNP is modified with sodium citrate <i>via</i> electrostatic adsorption to introduce carboxyl groups, resulting in the formation of carboxyl-functionalized UCNPs. Finally, they were covalently coupled with the photo-controlled hairpin probe (H1) through amide condensation. Under 808 nm illumination, UCNPs emit ultraviolet light to cleave the photocleavable (PC) linker of H1, exposing the S1 binding site. Competitive displacement of free S1 by target FAP initiates CHA cycle amplification, achieving significant recovery of Cy5 fluorescence. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor exhibited a good linear response to FAP, with a detection range of 0.5-6 ng mL<sup>-1</sup> and a limit of detection as low as 0.384 ng mL<sup>-1</sup>. The results of the human serum spiked recovery experiment revealed a recovery rate of 98.2% to 103.4%, with an RSD of less than 4.6%. The constructed biosensor has the benefits of high sensitivity, specificity, good stability, and resistance to matrix interference, demonstrating good potential for application in FAP-related detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13624721/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149111830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Navneet Kaur, Ahmad F Hama Sdiq, Hani K Ismail, Rahul Saxena, Subhashree Ray, Harvinder Singh Sohal, Haesook Han, Aliyeva Sevda Hasan, Pradip K Bhowmik, Manvinder Kaur
{"title":"Photocatalytic degradation of malachite green over a Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/ZnO S-scheme heterojunction: experimental and DFT insights.","authors":"Navneet Kaur, Ahmad F Hama Sdiq, Hani K Ismail, Rahul Saxena, Subhashree Ray, Harvinder Singh Sohal, Haesook Han, Aliyeva Sevda Hasan, Pradip K Bhowmik, Manvinder Kaur","doi":"10.1039/d6na00621c","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6na00621c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using a combination of computational and experimental methods, a magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/ZnO S-scheme heterostructure was established for the effective photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG). A mesoporous heterostructure with improved light absorption, effective charge separation, and outstanding magnetic recoverability was confirmed by the thorough characterization of the catalyst's structural, optical, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. By adjusting the irradiation source, catalyst dosage, pH, and coexisting ions, the photocatalytic performance was maximized. The catalyst reached 96.58 ± 0.34% degradation with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.0322 ± 0.0056 min<sup>-1</sup> under ideal conditions of 30 mg L<sup>-1</sup> catalyst and 200 mg L<sup>-1</sup> MG at pH 3 under UV light. While VSM analysis showed an adequate magnetic response for easy catalyst separation, electrochemical investigations also indicated enhanced interfacial charge transfer. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level indicated an energy gap of 1.5259 eV for MG and identified aromatic rings and electron-rich nitrogen atoms as the preferred locations for oxidative attack, offering molecular-level insights into the degradation mechanism. A structure-reactivity link between MG and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/ZnO was revealed by the combined experimental and theoretical data. This work offers a potential approach to sustainable wastewater cleanup by integrating DFT analysis with a recyclable Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>/ZnO S-scheme heterostructure.</p>","PeriodicalId":18806,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale Advances","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13673664/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149216061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}