To overcome the issue of multidrug resistant (MDR) microbes, the exploration of ways to improve the antimicrobial efficiency of existing antibiotics is one of the promising approaches. In search of synthons with higher efficiency, in current investigations, cocrystal and amorphous salt of levofloxacin hemihydrate (LEV) were developed with phthalimide (PTH) and caffeic acid (CFA). New materials were characterized with the help of FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Shifting, attenuation, appearance/disappearance and broadening of bands were observed in the FT-IR and Raman spectra of the materials as evidence of the required product. The PXRD diffraction pattern observed for LEV-PTH indicated cocrystal while halo diffractogram of LEV-CFA revealed amorphous nature. DSC/TG analysis confirmed the hydrated nature of the cocrystal/salt. The dissolution rate and antimicrobial activity against selected strains, K.pneumonia, E. coli and S. typhi of parent drug and the new material were compared. The zone of inhibition (ZI) observed for 5 µg LEV-PTH was 30.4 + 0.36 (K. pneumonia), 26.33 + 0.35 (E. coli) and 30.03 + 0.25 mm (S. typhi) while LEV-CFA salt (5 µg) against the same strains inhibited 33.96 ± 0.25, 31.66 ± 0.35 and 27.93 ± 0.40 mm, respectively. These novel formulations enhance the dissolution rate as well as antibacterial efficiency and are expected to be potent against MDR bacterial strains.

Advanced anodic SnO₂ nanoporous structures decorated with Cu₂O nanoparticles (NPs) were employed for creatinine detection. Anodization of electropolished Sn sheets in 0.3 M aqueous oxalic acid electrolyte under continuous stirring produced complete open top, crack-free, and smooth SnO₂ nanoporous structures. Structural analyses confirm the high purity of rutile SnO₂ with successful functionalization of Cu₂O NPs. Morphological studies revealed the formation of self-organized and highly-ordered SnO₂ nanopores, homogeneously decorated with Cu₂O NPs. The average diameter of nanopores is ∼35 nm, while the average Cu₂O particle size is ∼23 nm. Density functional theory results showed that SnO₂@Cu₂O hybrid nanostructures are energetically favorable for creatinine detection. The hybrid nanostructure electrode exhibited an ultra-high sensitivity of around 24343 μA mM^-1 cm^-2 with an extremely lower detection limit of ∼0.0023 μM, a fast response time (less than 2 s), and wide linear detection ranges of 2.5-45 μM and 100 μM to 15 mM toward creatinine. This is ascribed to the creation of highly active surface sites as a result of Cu₂O NP functionalization, SnO₂ band gap diminution, and the formation of heterojunction and Cu(1)/Cu(ll)-creatinine complexes through secondary amines which occur in the creatinine structure. The real-time analysis of creatinine in blood serum by the fabricated electrode evinces the practicability and accuracy of the biosensor with reference to the commercially existing creatinine sensor. The proposed biosensor demonstrated excellent stability, reproducibility, and selectivity, which reflects that the SnO₂@Cu₂O nanostructure is a promising candidate for the non-enzymatic detection of creatinine.

This review highlights PNCCs' synthetic strategies, characterization, and tunable geometries, highlighting their applications including antimicrobial activity, wastewater treatment, H ₂ production, CO ₂ reduction etc.

(1) Synthesis steps for electrode fabrication, (2) electron transfer kinetics during the photo-catalytic reaction.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play key role in propelling transformative changes, and highlighting burning issues to be addressed to achieve successful global developmental initiative. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are helpful in achieving various SDGs. However, both materials have some limitations. To overcome the drawbacks of individual ZnO and rGO nanomaterials, ZnO/rGO nanocomposites are designed. This review aims to highlight issues being faced by ZnO and graphene oxide and their resolution through the development of ZnO/rGO nanocomposite. Various characterization techniques are discussed to explore physio-chemical properties. As the composite materials exhibit enhanced charge carrier separation, and extended lifetime of photoinduced charge carriers, making them a promising agent for improved photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, biosensors, and energy conversion and storage devices such as solar cells, and lithium batteries etc. Morphological relationship with various activities and potential applications in numerous fields, including controlling environmental pollution, biomedical, bio-sensing, energy etc., have also been discussed to explore their importance. Additionally, for further advancement to design next generation material several recommendations have been given. The knowledge gained from this review is the way for the development of next-generation nanomaterials, capable of addressing global challenges in energy and environmental sustainability etc.

Schematic representation of the photocatalytic activity of a Pt/In ₂ S ₃ /TNT heterostructure.