金屬多酚配位奈米載體合成與多功能腫瘤治療法開發
本研究結合奈米合成技術與生物醫學， 利用表沒食子兒茶素沒食子酸酯 (Epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) 作為載體 調控摻雜Cu2+/Cu3+與 Fe2+/Fe3+之含量 並以π-π交互作用力附載缺氧性抗癌藥物替拉扎明 (Tirapazamine, TPZ) 成功製備出多功能金屬多酚配位奈米顆粒簡稱為EFeCuTPZ。 材料經紫外-可見光譜 (UV-vis)，、動態光散射 (DLS) 及掃描式電子顯微鏡 (SEM) 確認其粒徑大小、形貌學與穩定性。利用808 nm和671 nm雷射分析其光熱轉換效率 評估光熱療法效果，。在腫瘤微酸性環境下， EFeCuTPZ可利用高濃度之H2O2行芬頓反應 (Fenton Reaction) 產生高活性之氫氧自由基 (•OH)， 展現化學動力療法 (Chemo dynamic-therapy, CDT)，。同時， 藉由材料中的Cu²⁺與腫瘤環境中的穀胱甘肽 (Glutathione, GSH)反應減少高活性物質 (Reactive oxygen species, ROS) 的消耗 增強CDT之療效。酸性條件下 TPZ顯著釋放 有助於腫瘤治療。 另外， 細胞實驗顯示EFeCuTPZ具有高生物相容性與治療效果， 成功開發出具CDT，、CT及PTT功能之奈米複合材料 為醫學新興藥物材料提供可能性。
Utilization of Nano cellulose from date palm waste for improvement of thermal stability in epoxy composite
Nano additives is becoming popular trends nowadays due to its nanosize (1-100 nm). Incorporating nano additives in polymer could increase different properties such as mechanical, physical, electrical and thermal stability (1, 2). Different nano additives has been used such as nano copper oxide, nano silica, nano zinc oxide, nano titanium dioxide but most of these come from synthetic or metal oxides that considered as non-environmentally friendly and harmful to human when exposed or inhaled (3). One of the green materials that become attention by researchers is nano cellulose. Nano cellulose can be extracted in different methods and sources such as from wood, and non-woody resources such as kenaf, jute, bamboo as well as from bacteria such as Acetobacter species(4). This making nano cellulose abundantly available in resources. Nano cellulose can be in the form of nano crystalline cellulose (CNC) or NCC or can be in form of nano fibrillated cellulose (NFC) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)(5). This nanocellulose has many advantages that can give improvement in different applications such as mechanical, physical, thermal and improving the biodegradation when added together in different matrices (6, 7). Polymers have a problem in thermal stability while processing. It hard to control and maintain the thermal stability of polymer during processing and most polymers considered to have low in thermal stability except for thermosetting polymers such as epoxy. Epoxy has been widely used in many fields such as coating, adhesive, laminates, castings and many more (8). But the drawbacks of epoxy while using is hard to maintain and controll the thermal properties when processing of this materials and used for long period due to aging and attack by free radicals causing by UV radiation (9, 10). In this study we are incorporating nano additives into epoxy as polymer matrix to enhance and improve the thermal stability of composite by crosslinking the polymer chains with the nano additives. Furthermore, the nano additive used is come from nano cellulose extracted from date palm waste and thus to create an environmentally friendly and sustainable nano additives products.
Synthesis of fluconazole analogues with focusing on resistant strains Candida
Fungal infections, particularly those caused by resistant strains like Candida auris and Candida glabrata, pose a significant threat to global health. The widespread use of azole antifungals, such as fluconazole, has driven the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, undermining the efficacy of existing treatments. These challenges necessitate the development of novel antifungal agents with enhanced activity and reduced resistance profiles. To address resistance mechanisms, we designed and synthesized hybrid molecules combining triazole and thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD) pharmacophores. This strategy leverages dual mechanisms of action: inhibiting fungal CYP51, a key enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis, and disrupting fungal cell wall integrity. The structural versatility of hybrid molecules allows for targeted modifications to enhance antifungal potency, binding specificity, and pharmacokinetics. Using a stepwise synthetic approach, triazole-containing piperazine derivatives were first prepared and coupled with TZD-based carboxylic acids via optimized condensation reactions. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed through advanced spectroscopic methods, including 1D/2D NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity of these hybrids was evaluated in vitro against clinical and reference strains of Candida spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus. Among the synthesized compounds, 6a demonstrated notable activity against Candida parapsilosis (MIC 0.06 μg/mL), comparable to voriconazole. Compound 4b exhibited moderate activity against C. parapsilosis (MIC 1–2 μg/mL) and A. fumigatus (MIC 8 μg/mL). However, most compounds showed limited efficacy against highly resistant strains such as C. albicans 8R and C. krusei. This study highlights the potential of hybrid triazole-TZD molecules in overcoming resistance and improving antifungal efficacy. While promising, further optimization is required to broaden the spectrum of activity and enhance efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens. These findings contribute to the growing field of antifungal drug development, emphasizing hybrid approaches as a viable solution for combating fungal resistance.
Fabrication of Tandem Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells to Enhance Photovoltaic Performance
Energy has had an enormous impact on the development of technology and is a main factor in humans’ advancement towards an evolved society. Nevertheless, nonrenewable energy resources – which are the most effective in everyday application - have led to changes in the climate, environment, human health, and the world in general [1], which has encouraged researchers to switch to the use of renewable energy sources. Solar Cells are one of the most effective resources that rely on renewable energy. They come in a variety of types, operation methods, and efficiency as shown in Figure 1, including Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), which, inspired by photosynthesis in plants, uses photo-sensitive dye to capture sunlight and generate electricity. DSSCs were proved to have generated a great deal of interest and are one of the most promising solar cells among third-generation PV technologies, due to their low cost, simple preparation, good performance, and environmental friendliness compared to conventional photovoltaic devices [3]. However, their efficiency is quite insufficient for everyday use. Previous studies proved that Tandem DSSCs – which are two dye-sensitized cells stacked on top of each other – are able to enhance cell performance. The light absorption range of a tandem cell is increased because the bottom cell behind the top one absorbs and uses the incident light that was not absorbed by it [4]. It operates as shown in Figure 2, where the light photons excite the electrons of the dye molecules. The electrons are then transported to the FTO (conductive glass) by the semiconductor, which is used in the figure as TiO2 nanoparticles. The electrons pass through the circuit to perform the work, then move to the counter electrode (shown as Platinum). They are then transported by the electrolyte (I-/I3-) back to the dye molecules, and the process is repeated.
Low-Cost Nickel-based Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Splitting Of Ammonia Towards Clean Hydrogen Production
Increasing energy needs alongside the urgent issues of chemical pollution has prompted the need for developing novel green energy sources. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are of fundamental importance for the ecosystem as their usage has increased eight times in the last fifty years [1]. On the other hand , increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers is followed by higher ammonia emissions, which are dangerous pollutants responsible for deterioration in biodiversity by means of eutrophication, acidification of soil and water, and climate change [2]. Ammonia has the2apacityy to bond with other pollutants including sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to create particles that cause smog, which is associated with lung disease. Ammonia also increases frost sensitivities and causes necrosis of many plant species [3.] Therefore, there is a need to properly manage the ammonia-rich nitrogen waste to decrease the environmental threat factors. Of the possible approaches suggested for ammonia waste treatment, the ammonia electro-oxidation reaction (eAOR) has various promising features for application in the energy sector. It is economically appealing because Ammonia can serve as an excellent hydrogen carrier due to its storage capabilities and existing transport infrastructure alongside having no net carbon emissions. Apart from this, it requires 95% less of the theoretical energy [4] to perform the process. But the reaction is kinetically slow [5], which has been a research obstacle during the development of (eAOR), due to factors ofmslow reaction rate and large catalytic overpotential that this process consumes an unnecessary amount of power [6]. Nickel-based catalysts are a promising solution to these problems, they are cheaper , more stable and easier to produce than electrocatalysts for water electrolysis which makes it highly energy efficient for widespread use on the industrial scale. N films deposited on the anodic side also allow the creation of N-containing products such as (NH42SO3) and nitrates, which can be converted into fertilizers or renewed into the nitrogen cycle to make the process more environmentally friendly while enhancing the (eAOR) process [7,8]. Compared to Pt and Ir which are the most used noble metals, they are less poisoned on the potentials less than 0.65V and are more stable [9,10]. However , noble metals are scarce, and their cost is high for industrial applications as well as the energy they waste during (eAOR) [11].
Application of Carbon Aerogels in Lithium-Air Batteries
One of the main challenges with today’s batteries is their relatively low volumetric and specific capacities. The highest specific capacity can be achieved with lithium-air batteries, which use metallic lithium as the anode and typically some form of porous carbon as the cathode. To enhance performance, aerogels—among the world’s lightest solid materials—are ideal candidates for cathodes. Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-based carbon aerogels, for example, serve this purpose well. In my work, I utilized two types of carbon aerogels as cathode materials: one derived from pyrolyzed resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer and the other a graphene-oxide-modified version of this carbon gel. I integrated the carbon aerogels I had pyrolyzed into lithium-air batteries to improve the cell’s performance, energy density, and capacity compared to cells using activated carbon. In my research, I examined the pore structure and surface properties of these materials in aqueous media using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) relaxometry and cryoporometry, exploring their impact on battery efficiency. I found that the graphene-oxide-containing sample's pores filled with water in a layered manner, indicating a more hydrophilic surface, which suggests a denser arrangement of oxygen-containing functional groups compared to the unmodified carbon aerogel. The pore sizes were reduced after adding graphene oxide, resulting in an increased specific surface area for the sample. Incorporating the reduced graphene-oxide-containing carbon aerogel enabled the creation of a more efficient, higher-capacity battery than with the RF carbon aerogel. This improved performance is likely due to the aerogel’s higher oxygen content and altered morphology. The increased oxygen content provides more active sites for oxygen reduction, meaning that a greater specific power output can be obtained from the battery.