Here, we report on a phyto-mediated bimetallic (NiFe2O4) preparation using a Boswellia carterii extract, which was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, electron microscopy, magnetic spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. The prepared nano-catalysts were tested for oxidation of lignin monomer molecules—vanillyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol. In comparison with previously reported methods, the nano NiFe2O4 catalysts showed high photocatalytic activity and selectivity, under visible light irradiation with a nitroxy radical initiator (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; TEMPO) at room temperature and aerobic conditions. The multifold advantages of the catalyst both in terms of reduced catalyst loading and ambient temperature conditions were manifested by higher conversion of the starting material.

There has been a new approach in the development of antibacterials in order to enhance the antibacterial potential. The nanoparticles are tagged on to the surface of other metals or metal oxides and polymers to achieve nanocomposites. These have shown significant antibacterial properties when compared to nanoparticles. In this article we explore the antibacterial potentials of metal-based and metal–polymer-based nanocomposites, various techniques which are involved in the synthesis of the metal–polymer, nanocomposites, mechanisms of action, and their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.

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Here, we report a visible light-induced-trimetallic catalyst (Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) prepared through green synthesis using Tilia plant extract. These nanomaterials were characterized for structural and morphological studies using powder x-ray diffraction (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The spinel crystalline material was ~34 nm. In benign reaction conditions, the prepared photocatalyst oxidized various benzylic alcohols with excellent yield and selectivity toward aldehyde with 99% and 98%; respectively. Aromatic and aliphatic alcohols (such as furfuryl alcohol and 1-octanol) were photo-catalytically oxidized using Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4, LED light, H2O2 as oxidant, 2 h reaction time and ambient temperature. The advantages of the catalyst were found in terms of reduced catalyst loading, activating catalyst using visible light in mild conditions, high conversion of the starting material and the recyclability up to 5 times without loss of the selectivity. Thus, our study offers a potential pathway for the photocatalytic nanomaterial, which will contribute to the advancement of photocatalysis studies.

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