jablonkagroup/rise_ai_scientists huggingface dataset:
Authors: Mahmoud Khalil Alkhatib | Suha Zareer | Samia Younis Alkhatib | Mohannad Qurie | Mutaz Qutob | Amer Marei | Musa Mahmoud Abu Teir | Fuad Al‐Rimawi
Source: Arabian Journal of Chemistry (article, 2026-03-06)
Field: Chemistry — Analytical Chemistry

Quantitative analysis of acetic acid and ethanol in aqueous solutions and in fermentation solutions using attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy The Palestinian economy relies mainly on the agricultural sector. Palestinian farmers suffer from crop failure, especially dates. One successful way to reduce their losses is to convert poor quality fruits into valuable products such as acetic acid and ethanol through fruit fermentation. It is important for them to analyze the percentage of ethanol and acetic acid in their products in simple, fast, easy, cheap, without sample preparation, robust, accurate and precise method. The objectives of this work are therefore to use an attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) instrument for quantitative analysis of acetic acid and ethanol in fermentation products. Different solutions of acetic acid in aqueous solutions were prepared in the range of 0.5 to 30% w/w; similarly, different solutions of ethanol in aqueous solutions were prepared in the range of 0.5 to 30% w/w. Infrared (IR) spectra of these solutions were recorded from 4000-400 cm -1 . Calibration curves were constructed by plotting mass% % of ethanol or acetic acid vs. absorbance at a certain wavelength and then choosing the best calibration curve with the highest correlation coefficient. The method was validated by conducting precision and accuracy, as well as specificity, linearity, and range of the method. It was found that the mass% % of acetic acid in aqueous solution can be determined from the equation: mass% % acetic acid = 11.902R – 11.763, where R is the ratio of the absorbance of acetic acid in the sample at 1703.0 cm -1 to the absorbance of pure water at 1703.0 cm -1 . While the mass% % of ethanol in aqueous solution can be determined from the equation: mass% % ethanol = 56.34R – 15.452, where R is the ratio of absorbance of ethanol in the sample at 1087.8 to that at 1636.0 cm -1 . The method has been validated, and results showed that this method for the determination of acetic acid and ethanol is accurate, precise, linear, and selective. FTIR method is a simple, robust, accurate, precise, with no sample preparation step, and fast method for simultaneous determination of acetic acid and ethanol in aqueous solutions, e.g., fermentation products. Acetic acid ; Absorbance ; Attenuated total reflection ; Aqueous solution ; Ethanol ; Calibration curve ; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ; Quantitative analysis (chemistry) Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses ; Edible Oils Quality and Analysis ; Food Drying and Modeling
Authors: Juan Pedro Ramirez-Pedroza | María Del Pilar Ramos-Godinez | Amir Ali | Sergio Armando Tomás-Velázquez | Edgar Hernandez-Martinez | Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
Source: Journal of Nanoparticle Research (article, 2026-03-27)
Field: Materials Science — Polymers and Plastics

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles synthesis with PAMAM-like dendrimers grown in situ on their surface for potential therapeutic use Abstract Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are among the most promising materials, widely used to design novel platforms for treating diseases, including cancer, due to their biocompatibility and structure that enables a wide range of surface functionalization, as observed with polymers. In this work, we grew a polymeric structure, poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM-G4.0-like dendrimer), on the surface of nHAp. The resulting materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine their size, morphology, crystallinity, and chemical composition. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated through MTT assays on two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3, and in the healthy MCF-12F breast cell line. Results demonstrated that PAMAM-G4.0-like dendrimer growth was successfully achieved on the surface of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and that the resulting material had no toxic effects on cells, making it a suitable candidate as a biocompatible platform for the delivery of biomolecules, such as drugs or genes. Biocompatibility ; Nanoparticle ; Dendrimer ; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ; Transmission electron microscopy ; Biocompatible material ; In situ ; Surface modification Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers ; biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties ; Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
Authors: Giordano Zanoni | Elisabetta Collini | Fabrizio Mancin
Source: Chemistry - A European Journal (article, 2026-01-20)
Field: Materials Science — Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Self‐Controlled Automated Strategy for the Synthesis of Gold Nanorods With Fine‐Tuned Longitudinal Absorption Reproducibility is the main weak point of most of the currently available synthetic strategies for metal nanostructures, and this issue is hampering both production and research on such materials. While several synthetic strategies can be found in literature, most of them are fundamentally based on strict protocols consisting of lists of subsequential predefined operations to be executed in a time-defined manner. Such protocols are designed and optimized on the basis of pilot runs and are intrinsically affected by noncontrollable fluctuations in the experimental conditions. In this work an innovative, intrinsically flexible, automatized, and self-correcting strategy is proposed, which, in combination with real-time monitoring of the optical properties of the reaction mixture, allows to synthesize precisely tuned gold nanorods. This strategy is based on the fast and precisely controlled oxidation of precursor AuNRs. The fast reaction allows the selective and predictable etching of the nanorods by online-controlled subsequential additions of small amounts of oxidants, which are also able to remove undesirably shaped byproducts possibly present in the sample. Due to these features, this process can be automated and allows starting from nonpurified nanorod dispersions with variable aspect-ratio. Furthermore, the reaction can be stopped by oxidizer quenching, providing stable dispersions. Nanorod ; Reproducibility ; Process (computing) ; Etching (microfabrication) ; Absorption (acoustics) ; Work (physics) Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications ; Nanoporous metals and alloys ; Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Authors: Hrishikesh H. Khodade | Deepak Shelke | Hiralal Sonawane | Kamlakar More | Mahadev R. Chambhare
Source: Asian Journal of Chemistry (article, 2026-01-31)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Eco-Friendly Synthesis, Characterization and Multifunctional Bioactivity of Phyto-Capped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Derived from Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi This work reports an eco-friendly approach of synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (Kf-ZnNPs) using leaf extract from Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi and evaluates their physico-chemical characteristics along with a broad spectrum of biological activities. The UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation and optical stability of the nanoparticles through a distinct absorption peak at 349 nm, indicative of monodispersity. Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses revealed a narrow particle size distribution with an average hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 34.20 nm (PDI: 0.001-0.306) and moderate colloidal stability (-11.66 mV). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further demonstrated a quasi-spherical morphology with particle sizes ranging between 13.49 and 24.28 nm. FTIR analysis confirmed the involvement of proteins, phenolics and other phytochemicals from the plant extract in nanoparticle reduction and stabilization. The crystalline nature of the nanoparticles was established by X-ray diffraction, which showed a characteristic wurtzite ZnO phase with crystallite sizes between 17.7 to 26.4 nm and an average crystallite size of 21.78 ± 3.42 nm. Biological results revealed the remarkable antibacterial activity of Kf-ZnNPs against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zones of 25 ± 1.00 mm and 22 ± 1.00 mm, respectively, along with significant antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans (23 ± 1.00 mm). The nanoparticles also exhibited significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities, with IC50 values of 92 µg/mL, 70.98 µg/mL and 97.13 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assays demonstrated substantial anticancer potential against MCF-7 and A549 cell lines, with IC50 values of 15 µg/mL and 20.15 µg/mL, respectively. Nanoparticle ; Zeta potential ; Dynamic light scattering ; Zinc ; Particle size ; Antibacterial activity ; Dispersity ; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications ; ZnO doping and properties ; Magnesium Oxide Properties and Applications
Authors: Raphael P. Rosa | Giuseppe Rosace
Source: Fibers and Polymers (article, 2026-03-25)
Field: Materials Science — Polymers and Plastics

Boric Acid Influence on Ammonium Phytate Finish for Eco-Efficient Flame Retardancy of Cuprammonium Fabrics Abstract Cuprammonium fabric is a regenerated cellulose fiber known for its silk-like luster appearance. However, due to its cellulose-based composition, the fabric is inherently flammable, limiting its application in many other areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate two water-based finishes to improve fire performance: (i) APA, generated in situ from phytic acid and urea (ammonium phytate), and (ii) PAB, obtained by reacting boric acid with phytic acid and subsequently with urea. Compared to untreated fabric, APA- and PAB-treated samples exhibited self-extinguishing behavior and formed char layers during vertical flame tests, with char lengths of 35 mm and 33 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 400 g/L. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen showed an increase in char yield at 700 °C, from 0.23% (untreated) to 39.54% (APA) and 40.63% (PAB), indicating condensed-phase action (acid-catalyzed dehydration/char formation). Although the results demonstrated that the PAB-treated samples had no washing resistance, they exhibited better tear resistance and whiteness index compared to the APA-treated samples. Overall, the results show that both phosphate and nitrogen systems (with and without boron) significantly enhance the fire resistance of cuprammonium fabric by promoting protective char, while also revealing trade-offs in durability and appearance that require further improvement. Boric acid ; Limiting oxygen index ; Char ; Thermogravimetric analysis ; Fire retardant ; Ammonium polyphosphate ; Phytic acid ; Cellulose ; Fiber Flame retardant materials and properties ; Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites ; Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
Authors: Guna Doke | Andris Antuzevics | Didzis Salnajs | Nadiia Rebrova | Alexander Grippa | Przemysław Jacek Dereń | Aldona Beganskienė | Aleksej Zarkov
Source: Journal of Materials Chemistry C (article, 2026-01-01)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Excitation-selective coexistence of upconversion and persistent luminescence in Pr <sup>3+</sup> -doped eulytite-type phosphates towards advanced anti-counterfeiting The characteristic spectra of a 0.1% Pr 3+ -doped Ba 3 Lu(PO 4 ) 3 sample, with X-ray or 444 nm excitation on and off, along with digital photos showing XRL and PersL of the sample after X-ray irradiation. Luminescence ; Phosphor ; Persistent luminescence ; Photon upconversion ; Excited state ; Blue light Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials ; Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies ; Lanthanide and Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: S. Kačiulis
Source: Lithuanian Journal of Physics (article, 2026-02-10)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Surface analysis of carbon allotropes The spectroscopy of carbon is very important in surface analysis of solids, because its content indicates the grade of surface contamination. Adventitious carbon from air ambient is practically present on any solid material and the C 1s photoelectron spectrum is often used as a reference for the scale calibration of binding energy. Moreover, during the last two decades, new 2D carbon materials have been developed and intensively investigated: graphene, fullerenes, nanotubes and nanowalls, quantum dots, etc. Also, the growing applications of amorphous carbon (a-C), e.g. diamond-like carbon (DLC), carbon quantum dots (CQDs), etc., require the characterization of these materials.This short overview is dedicated to the analysis of new carbon-based materials by widely used surface-sensitive techniques: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The combination of XPS and AES techniques permits one to investigate the electron hybridization in carbon materials, i.e. to determine the ratio of sp 2 /sp 3 configurations, which defines their main mechanical, electrical and optical properties. In addition, it was demonstrated that the same experimental approach could be successfully used for the investigation of bulk composite materials containing 2D carbon, e.g. graphene or nanotubes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ; Carbon fibers ; Graphene ; Auger electron spectroscopy ; Amorphous carbon ; Carbon nanotube ; Characterization (materials science) ; Spectroscopy Graphene research and applications ; Carbon Nanotubes in Composites ; Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research
Authors: Amanda Mattsson | Arttu Miettinen | Tove Joelsson | Gunilla Pettersson | Per Engstrand | Jukka A. Ketoja
Source: BioResources (article, 2026-01-01)
Field: Materials Science — Biomaterials

Stress-strain behavior and microstructural evolution of hot-pressed paper webs revealed by x-ray tomography The mechanical performance of fiber-based materials depends not only on strength but also on elongation, which is particularly critical in converting and end-use applications. Wood-fiber-based materials, such as thermomechanical pulp (TMP) paper webs, are typically brittle and exhibit low breaking strain. However, both dry and wet strengths can be significantly improved through hot-pressing, especially in the presence of lignin. This study examines the influence of hot-pressing time on the complete stress–strain behavior of calendered TMP webs. Dry samples showed only minor, systematic changes in mechanical properties with increasing pressing time at 200 °C. In contrast, wet samples exhibited a pronounced increase in breaking strain for pressing times exceeding 1 s, accompanied by increased wet specific strength and tensile energy absorption. Wet stiffness also increased beyond what could be explained by densification alone, indicating enhanced inter-fiber bonding. To elucidate these effects, X-ray microtomography combined with image analysis was used to characterize microstructural features, including porosity, pore size, surface roughness, sheet thickness, and fiber wall density as functions of pressing time. The results demonstrate that extended hot-pressing promotes microstructural consolidation and bonding mechanisms that improve mechanical performance under both dry and wet conditions. Pressing ; Ultimate tensile strength ; Consolidation (business) ; Brittleness ; Stiffness ; Microstructure Advanced Cellulose Research Studies ; Material Properties and Processing ; Lignin and Wood Chemistry
Authors: Simone Ventisette | Giulia Galgani | Pasquale Palladino | Vincenzo Calderone | Valentina Citi | Maria Minunni | Simona Scarano
Source: Microchimica Acta (article, 2026-02-19)
Field: Chemistry — Analytical Chemistry

Biocompatible molecularly imprinted polynorepinephrine nanoparticles: rational design and one-step reversible immobilization for enhanced protein recognition by surface plasmon resonance Polynorepinephrine nanoparticles (PNE-NPs) are emerging bioinspired nanomaterials with significant potential in diagnostics and therapy, yet their systematic synthesis and functional assessment remain limited. In this work, a Design of Experiments approach was applied to optimize the synthesis of non-imprinted and imprinted PNE-NPs. A green, pH-triggered precipitation/redispersion protocol was introduced for nanoparticle purification, providing fast and reproducible recovery without organic solvents, and surpassing conventional membrane dialysis methods, which are typically long and labor-intensive. Key parameters (pH, temperature, reaction time, stirring, and monomer concentration) were screened in H2O/NaOH and TRIS buffer media. Optimized PNE-NPs displayed hydrodynamic diameters below 200 nm, spherical morphology, and negligible cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes across a broad concentration range. As a model study, PNE-NPs were imprinted against the Fc portion of human IgG1 and tested as synthetic receptors by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Two flow-mode immobilization strategies were compared on bare gold chips: covalent grafting on thiol-modified gold and direct adsorption. Both allowed real-time, in-flow monitoring and markedly improved affinity (KD < 10−8 mol L−1) compared to previous imprinted PNE nanofilms. The adsorption protocol stood out for its simplicity, high affinity and selectivity (α > 27.4), and full in situ reconditioning of the SPR gold transducer with NaClO washes, enabling multiple reuse cycles. These results establish PNE-NPs as versatile synthetic receptors, highlighting their promise as next-generation platforms for diagnostics and therapy. Surface plasmon resonance ; Rational design ; Molecularly imprinted polymer ; Nanomaterials ; Colloidal gold ; Molecular imprinting ; Biocompatible material ; Nanoparticle ; Selectivity Analytical chemistry methods development ; Polymer Surface Interaction Studies ; Nanofabrication and Lithography Techniques
Authors: A. D. Savalkar | P. R. Shingote | D. L. Wasule | A. M. Gaharwal | D. R. Rathod | S. S. Nichal | J. R. Katore | M. P. Moharil
Source: Frontiers in Fungal Biology (article, 2026-03-17)
Field: Materials Science — Biomaterials

Synthesis, characterization, and antifungal activity of chitosan–copper nanocomposites against crop pathogens Chitosan-copper nanoparticles (CHT-Cu NPs) were synthesized using an ionic gelation approach and evaluated for their physicochemical properties and antifungal activity against major fungal pathogens of chickpea and citrus. For instance, "In recent years, nanotechnology-based formulations have emerged as promising strategy for sustainable disease management". Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed uniformly sized nanoparticles (~150 nm) with low polydispersity and a positive surface charge (+22.2 mV). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed effective copper coordination, amorphous nanocomposite formation, and stable incorporation of copper within the chitosan matrix. The antifungal efficacy of CHT-Cu NPs was assessed <i>in vitro</i> against <i>Colletotrichum ciceri</i>, <i>Fusarium ciceri</i>, <i>Rhizoctonia bataticola</i>, <i>Sclerotium rolfsii</i>, and <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>. The nanocomposites exhibited strong, concentration-dependent inhibition of mycelial growth. <i>F. ciceri</i> was highly sensitive, showing complete inhibition at all tested concentrations (≥100 µg mL<sup>-</sup>¹). <i>S. rolfsii</i> and chickpea pathogens <i>C. ciceri</i> and <i>R. bataticola</i> were completely inhibited at concentrations 200 µg mL<sup>-</sup>¹, 300 µg mL<sup>-</sup>¹ and 300 µg mL<sup>-</sup>¹, respectively, whereas <i>C. gloeosporioides</i> was comparatively less sensitive and required higher concentrations (≥400 µg mL<sup>-</sup>¹) for complete suppression. In contrast, chitosan alone and copper sulfate showed only moderate antifungal activity. These findings demonstrate that CHT-Cu NPs possess broad-spectrum antifungal activity and superior efficacy compared to conventional fungicides, highlighting their potential as eco-compatible nanobiopesticides for sustainable management of fungal diseases in crop plants. Chitosan ; Nanocomposite ; Antifungal ; Mycelium ; Copper ; Dispersity ; Nanoparticle ; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging ; Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications ; Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
Authors: Mohsin Usman Qureshi | Ali Al-Shamakhi | Mohammed Rumhi | Muhammad Ashraf Javid | Wan Hamidon Wan Badaruzzaman | Ghassan Al-Kindi | Wadhah M. Tawfeeq | Rakesh Belwal | Hajir Al-Handasi
Source: Materials (article, 2026-02-18)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Utilisation of Sulphur By-Products in Diverse Civil Engineering Applications: A Systematic Review Sulphur, a major by-product of the oil and gas industry, has emerged as a promising construction material in both sulphur concrete (SC) and sulphur-extended asphalt (SEA) applications. This review examines the development, properties, and uses of these sulphur-based construction materials over a century by following PRISMA guidelines for systematic literature selection. A bibliometric analysis highlights a surge in research activity over the last two decades. The key advantages of sulphur concrete include rapid strength gain (achieving ~50 MPa within 1-2 days) and exceptional chemical durability in extreme environments. Sulphur-bound materials exhibit high corrosion resistance, low water permeability, and full recyclability upon reheating. Challenges such as thermal shrinkage-induced brittleness and temperature sensitivity have been mitigated by using polymer-modified sulphur and mix design optimisation. Sulphur-extended asphalts benefit from increased stiffness, stability, and cost savings compared to conventional mixtures. Enhanced performance has been observed at sulphur replacement levels of 20-40% in asphalt binders. The review also summarises mixed formulations, mechanical properties, durability metrics, and innovative applications ranging from acid-resistant industrial structures to sustainable pavement materials and even extraterrestrial construction. The environmental benefits, such as up to 40% GHG reduction and complete recyclability of sulphur-based concretes, align with circular economy goals. Future research directions include improving ductility, advancing 3D printing techniques, and field validation of long-term performance. Overall, sulphur by-products can be transformed into valuable construction materials that address waste management and infrastructure durability. Durability ; Asphalt ; Greenhouse gas ; Life-cycle assessment ; Sustainable development ; Environmental impact assessment ; Fossil fuel ; Corrosion Structural mechanics and materials ; Concrete and Cement Materials Research ; Asphalt Pavement Performance Evaluation