Phytosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles for enhanced antioxidant, antibacterial, and photocatalytic properties: A greener approach to environmental sustainability.

Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) production from phytochemicals is a sustainable process and an eco-friendly method, and this technique has a variety of uses. To accomplish this, we developed zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using the medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia (TC). Instruments such as UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM with EDX, and high-resolution TEM were applied to characterize the biosynthesized TC-ZnONPs. According to the UV-vis spectra, the synthesized TC-ZnONPs absorb at a wavelength centered at 374 nm, which corresponds to a 3.2 eV band gap. HRTEM was used to observe the morphology of the particle surface and the actual size of the nanostructures. TC-ZnONPs mostly exhibit the shapes of rectangles and triangles with a median size of 21 nm. The XRD data of the synthesized ZnONPs exhibited a number of peaks in the 2θ range, implying their crystalline nature. TC-ZnONPs proved remarkable free radical scavenging capacity on DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and NO (Nitric Oxide). TC-ZnONPs exhibited dynamic anti-bacterial activity through the formation of inhibition zones against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18 ± 1.5 mm), Escherichia coli (18 ± 1.0 mm), Bacillus cereus (19 ± 0.5 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (13 ± 1.1 mm). Additionally, when exposed to sunlight, TC-ZnONPs show excellent photocatalytic ability towards the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. These findings suggest that TC-ZnONPs are potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and photocatalytic agents.

Aggregation behaviour and electron injection/recombination dynamics of symmetrical and unsymmetrical Zn-phthalocyanines on TiO2 film.

We have synthesized symmetrical and unsymmetrical Zn-phthalocyanine derivatives (PZnPc, MPZnPc and TPZnPc) for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Steady state and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence studies were performed in DMF solvent and on a TiO2 surface. The mode and extent of aggregation (H- and J-aggregates) of ZnPc adsorbed on a TiO2 surface were demonstrated. MPZnPc shows both H- and J-aggregation, while TPZnPc shows only H-aggregation. Moreover, the fluorescence of ZnP/TiO2 was completely quenched and this was assigned to electron injection from excited ZnPc to TiO2. Energy level calculations show both ZnPc deriviatives have enough driving force to inject electrons into the conduction band of TiO2. Furthermore, the radical cation of ZnPc was observed in nanosecond transient absorption measurements.

Zn-phthalocyanine-functionalized nanometal and nanometal-TiO2 hybrids: aggregation behavior and excited-state dynamics.

Dithiol-substituted Zn-phthalocyanine derivatives (TAZnPc1, TAZnPc2 and TAZnPc3) were synthesized and functionalized on nanometals (Au and Ag) and nanometal-TiO2 hybrids were harnessed to cover the visible region of the absorption spectrum. Photophysical studies reveal that both H- and J-aggregation were present in the ZnPc-functionalized nanometal, and the extent of J-aggregation is superior on the surface of Ag nanoparticles. On the other hand, no H-aggregation was observed in the nanometal-TiO2 hybrid film, despite the fact that the tetra-anchoring derivative (TAZnPc3) shows lesser J-aggregation on the nanometal-TiO2 hybrid film than that of other two mono-anchoring derivatives (TAZnPc1 and TAZnPc2). Further, the electron injection and recombination processes were investigated by time-resolved fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. All the derivatives furnish biexponential decay on the nanometal surface. The shorter component is due to electron injection of ZnPc-nanometal particles and the longer component is due to free ZnPc. The rate of electron injection is faster for ZnPc-gold nanoparticles than that of silver nanoparticles, predominantly in TAZnPc1. This is due to the greater aggregation tendency of ZnPc derivatives on Ag nanoparticles than Au nanoparticles. After electron injection, the electron-transfer product (i.e. the radical cation of ZnPc) was observed at 600 nm. Moreover, the fluorescence of ZnPc derivatives on nanometal-TiO2 films was completely quenched due to the shuttling of electrons from ZnPc to TiO2 efficiently by metal nanoparticles.

Gauging the knowledge, attitude and practice of interns and dentists about obstructive sleep apnoea-A cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT: Obstructive sleep apnoea is less known and lesser practised in dentistry. Dentists often struggle to educate, diagnose or offer treatment to the patient. Hence, the disorder of the patient and the opportunity for the dentist both go unnoticed. AIM: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding aspects of obstructive sleep apnoea among dental practitioners, faculty and interns in India. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A self-constructed validated questionnaire was prepared and circulated online among dental interns and professionals in India. Responses received from 237 participants were evaluated and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Only questions about diagnosis and symptoms of OSA were correctly answered by more than 50% of the participants. In all other questions, the knowledge was poor. Only 11.4% of respondents felt that they are well equipped to diagnose OSA. The general attitude of the participants was favourable but with poor practice. Only 5.1% of participants were ever involved in the treatment of OSA. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of OSA among the population, along with widespread ignorance among dentists for the same as found in our study, there is an urgent need to spotlight OSA in the dental curriculum at an undergraduate level. To complement this, extensive training and motivation must also be provided so that dental graduates can identify, refer and participate in the treatment of OSA.