Application Of Nanomaterials Research Articles

Selective regulation of macrophage lipid metabolism via nanomaterials’ surface chemistry

Understanding the interface between nanomaterials and lipoproteins is crucial for gaining insights into their impact on lipoprotein structure and lipid metabolism. Here, we use graphene oxide (GOs) nanosheets as a controlled carbon nanomaterial model to study how surface properties influence lipoprotein corona formation and show that GOs have strong binding affinity with low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We use advanced techniques including X-ray reflectivity, circular dichroism, and molecular simulations to explore the interfacial interactions between GOs and LDL. Specifically, hydrophobic GOs preferentially associate with LDL’s lipid components, whereas hydrophilic GOs tend to bind with apolipoproteins. Furthermore, these GOs distinctly modulate a variety of lipid metabolism pathways, including LDL recognition, uptake, hydrolysis, efflux, and lipid droplet formation. This study underscores the importance of structure analysis at the nano-biomolecule interface, emphasizing how nanomaterials’ surface properties critically influence cellular lipid metabolism. These insights will inspire the design and application of future biocompatible nanomaterials and nanomedicines.

Electrically enhanced adsorption performance of functionalized aluminum-nitride nanotubes for removal of sulfate ions in water

Here, density functional theory(DFT) calculations were carried out to investigate the effect of applied electric field on the adsorption of sulfate ions in water by doped functional aluminum nitride nanotubes. The stable structure of the adsorption system, the adsorption energy of SO42− on the adsorbent, and the electronic and thermodynamic properties of the adsorption system under applied electric field were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the adsorption energy of boron doped aluminum nitride nanotubes (AlNNT-B) on SO42− can be greatly improved under the action of electric field (EF). The electric field promotes the electron transfer of SO42− to AlNNT-B, and gradually increases the Mayer bond levels of B-N25 and B-N27, indicating that the binding of B atoms to N atoms is enhanced. In addition, the thermodynamic analysis shows that the adsorption of SO42− on the surface of AlNNT-B is a spontaneous heat release process, and the trend of spontaneous heat release can be enhanced by EF. Our research results not only propose a novel method for removing sulfate ions from water, but also have significant implications for other applications of nanomaterials (such as delivery system of anticancer drugs).

Highly sensitive biosensors for real-time monitoring of histamine at acupoint PC6 in rats based on graphene-modified acupuncture needles.

Acupoints are the local initial response sites of acupuncture therapeutic effects. As a biomarker, histamine is released into the acupoint region and plays its role concurrently as acupuncture needles are inserted into acupoints. Hence, real-time monitoring of histamine at acupoints is important to elucidate the effectiveness of the acupoint-activation process in acupuncture. Therefore, we developed highly sensitive acupuncture/Au particles/graphene biosensors by electrodeposition, brushing, and annealing methods based on bare acupuncture needles. We achieved a histamine detection limit of approximately 4.352 (±3.419) × 10-12 mol L-1 and good sensitivity of approximately 6.296 (±3.873) μA μM-1, with satisfactory specificity, repeatability, and stability in vitro, rendering them more competitive and suitable for real-time monitoring in vivo without causing additional damage. Subsequently, we conducted real-time histamine monitoring at non-acupoint and acupoint PC6 in rats, respectively. Our results showed minimal changes at the non-acupoint, whereas a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease was observed at acupoint PC6. The change in histamine concentration at acupoint PC6 reflected its involvement in the acupoint-activation procedure. Moreover, its peak position at ∼18 min could provide guidance for optimizing needle retaining time for maximum therapeutic effect. This work presents the first real-time in vivo monitoring of histamine at acupoints with high sensitivity and underscores the specificity of histamine release between non-acupoint and acupoint PC6, demonstrating great potential for elucidating the acupoint-activation mechanisms in acupuncture. Additionally, this work expands the application of nanomaterials in the integration of medicine and engineering, which is an important aspect of the future development of materials science.

Cutting edge technology for wastewater treatment using smart nanomaterials: recent trends and futuristic advancements.

Water is a vital component of our existence. Many human activities, such as improper waste disposal from households, industries, hospitals, and synthetic processes, are major contributors to the contamination of water streams. It is the responsibility of every individual to safeguard water resources and reduce pollution. Among the various available wastewater treatment (WWT) methods, smart nanomaterials stand out for their effectiveness in pollutant removal through absorption and adsorption. This paper examines the application of valuable smart nanomaterials in treating wastewater. Various nanomaterials, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), nanoadsorbents, nanometals, nanofilters, nanocatalysts, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanosilver, nanotitanium dioxide, magnetic nanoparticles, nanozero-valent metallic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, nanofibers, and quantum dots, are identified as promising candidates for WWT. These smart nanomaterials efficiently eliminate toxic substances, microplastics, nanoplastics, and polythene particulates from wastewater. Additionally, the paper discusses comparative studies on the purification efficiency of nanoscience technology versus conventional methods.

Reviewing the Phenomenon of Antimicrobial Resistance in Hospital and Municipal Wastewaters: The Crisis, the Challenges and Mitigation Methods

Antibiotic resistance is a major crisis that the modern world is confronting. This review highlights the abundance of different types of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in two major reservoirs in the environment, namely hospital and municipal wastewater, which is an unforeseen threat to human lives across the globe. The review helps understand the current state of affairs and the whereabouts on the dissemination of ARGs in both these environments. The various traditional wastewater treatment methods, such as chlorination and UV treatment, and modern methods, such as electrochemical oxidation, are discussed, and the gaps in these technologies are highlighted. The need for the development of newer techniques for wastewater treatment with enhanced efficiency is urgently underscored. Nanomaterial applications for ARG removal were observed to be less explored. This has been discussed, and prospective nanomaterials and nanocomposites for these applications are proposed.

Nanomaterials for Modified Asphalt and Their Effects on Viscosity Characteristics: A Comprehensive Review.

The application of nanomaterials as modifiers in the field of asphalt is increasingly widespread, and this paper aims to systematically review research on the impact of nanomaterials on asphalt viscosity. The results find that nanomaterials tend to increase asphalt's viscosity, enhancing its resistance to high-temperature rutting and low-temperature cracking. Zero-dimension nanomaterials firmly adhere to the asphalt surface, augmenting non-bonding interactions through van der Waals forces and engaging in chemical reactions to form a spatial network structure. One-dimensional nanomaterials interact with non-polar asphalt molecules, forming bonds between tube walls, thereby enhancing adhesion, stability, and resistance to cyclic loading. Meanwhile, these bundled materials act as reinforcement to transmit stress, preventing or delaying crack propagation. Two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene and graphene oxide, participate in chemical interactions, forming hydrogen bonds and aromatic deposits with asphalt molecules, affecting asphalt's surface roughness and aggregate movement, which exhibit strong adsorption capacity and increase the viscosity of asphalt. Polymers reduce thermal movement and compact asphalt structures, absorbing light components and promoting the formation of a cross-linked network, thus enhancing high-temperature deformation resistance. However, challenges such as poor compatibility and dispersion, high production costs, and environmental and health concerns currently hinder the widespread application of nanomaterial-modified asphalt. Consequently, addressing these issues through comprehensive economic and ecological evaluations is crucial before large-scale practical implementation.

Energy-efficient and directional preparation of cellulose nanosheets by one-pot surface modification assisted swelling method

The energy-intensive and time-consuming process required for disassembling natural materials into nanoblocks are the major obstacles for the practical applications of biopolymer nanomaterials. Herein, a one-pot, energy-efficient and directional preparation method for gently exfoliating cellulose into nanosheets was achieved by surface modification assisted swelling process. The resulting cellulose nanosheets (CNSs) exhibited diameters ranging from 100 to 480 nm and thicknesses of approximately 5 nm, with a maximum yield of 97.9 %. This method could be widely applicable to common cellulose raw materials. Contrary to other nanocellulose reported previously, CNSs could be dried and stored in solid state, and re-dispersed in aqueous phase, thereby convenient for storage and transportation. Cellulose nanosheets films (CNSFs) obtained from CNSs showed high transparencies (>90 %) and excellent gas barrier properties, especially for the water vapor permeability of only 0.0072×10−10 cm3 cm cm−2 s−1 Pa−1, which were superior to other cellulose based films. In the simulation experiment of dry food packaging, CNSF10 possessed remarkable water vapor and oxygen blocking capabilities comparable to commercial cling films and met the practical requirements. The preparing process of CNSs reported here had the advantages including easy implementation, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendliness, and expanded possibilities for large-scale and widespread utilization of nanocellulose.

Carbon dots-based dual-mode sensor for highly selective detection of nitrite in food substrates through diazo coupling reaction

As an antioxidant and preservative agent, nitrite (NO2−) plays an essential role in the food industry to maintain freshness or inhibit microbial growth. However, excessive addition of NO2− is detrimental to health, so accurate and portable detection of NO2− is critical for food quality control. Notably, the selectivity of most carbon dots (CDs)-based fluorescence sensors was not enough due to the nonspecific interaction mechanism of hydrogen bond, electrostatic interaction and inner filter effect etc. Herein, a novel fluorescence/UV–vis absorption (FL/UV–vis) dual-mode sensor was developed on basis of mC-CDs, which were prepared by simple solvothermal treatment of m-Phenylenediamine (m-PDA) and cyanidin cation (CC). The fluorescence of these mC-CDs could be selectively responded by NO2− through the specific diazo coupling reaction between NO2− and amino groups on the surface of mC-CDs, thus effectively improving the selectivity of NO2− detection. The CDs-based fluorescence sensor possessed a low detection limit of 0.091 μM and 0.143 μM for FL and UV–vis methods and the excellent linear range of 0.0–60.0 μM. Furthermore, the mC-CDs sensor was employed to detect NO2− in real samples with a recovery rate of 97.11 %–104.15 % for quantitative addition. Moreover, the smartphone-assisted fluorescence sensing platform developed could identify the subtle color changes that could not be distinguished by the naked eye, and had the advantages of fast detection speed and intelligence. More importantly, the portable solid phase sensor based on mC-CDs had been successfully applied to the specific fluorescence identification and concentration monitoring of NO2−. Accordingly, the designed sensor provided a new strategy for the highly selective and convenient sensing of NO2− in food substrates, and paved the way for the wide application of CDs-based nanomaterials in the detection of food safety.

An Overview of Nanotechnology in Dental Medicine

The dentistry industry has been modernized by nanotechnology, as this emerging field has opened up new doors for dental treatment, restoration, and tissue regeneration. The potential applications of nanomaterials in dentistry are reviewed in this paper, ranging from advanced restorative materials to targeted drug delivery systems. Due to their unique characteristics (e.g., high surface area-to-volume ratios and tunable physicochemical properties), nanomaterials allow for the precise control of material behavior at the nanoscale. The ability of nanostructured materials to promote tissue regeneration offers the prospect of developing new approaches in bone and periodontal regeneration. Therefore, this review thoroughly analyzes nanomaterials’ characteristics and biomedical applications, highlighting how they can aid in overcoming challenges in dental care and create possibilities for more individualized and less-invasive dental treatments.

A review on nanotechnological aspects in medicinal textile

<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Nanoscience and Technology has become popular and touched almost every branch of science and technology. Textile engineering is also not exception. Various nanoparticles are being used in smart textiles and technical textile products. Medical textile is an important area and have much opportunities for innovation and discoveries. Therefore, nanomaterials are used in medical textiles to have exotic properties. Herein we have discussed several methods for the characterization of materials at nanoscale. The common spectroscopic techniques like UV-Visible spectroscopy and microscopic techniques like scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope routinely used in material characterization are discussed in detail. In the last section of the article we discussed various applications of nanomaterials in modern medical textile. The nanomaterials are used in surgical gowns, sanitary napkins, UV protection appliances, antimicrobial coating, sutures etc. Some advanced nanomaterials can be used in disease diagnosis, flame retardants, efficient drug delivery systems etc.</span></p>

Platinum Group Metals Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Therapy.

Despite various methods currently used in cancer therapy, breast cancer remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current therapeutics face limitations such as multidrug resistance, drug toxicity and off-target effects, poor drug bioavailability and biocompatibility, and inefficient drug delivery. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to cancer diagnosis, imaging, and therapy. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that compounds and nanoparticles formulated from platinum group metals (PGMs) effectively treat breast cancer. PGMs are chemically stable, easy to functionalise, versatile, and tunable. They can target hypoxic microenvironments, catalyse the production of reactive oxygen species, and offer the potential for combination therapy. PGM nanoparticles can be incorporated with anticancer drugs to improve efficacy and can be attached to targeting moieties to enhance tumour-targeting efficiency. This review focuses on the therapeutic outcomes of platinum group metal nanoparticles (PGMNs) against various breast cancer cells and briefly discusses clinical trials of these nanoparticles in breast cancer treatment. It further illustrates the potential applications of PGMNs in breast cancer and presents opportunities for future PGM-based nanomaterial applications in combatting breast cancer.

FLIM nanoscopy resolves the structure and preferential adsorption in the co-nonsolvency of PNIPAM microgels in methanol-water

Polymer microgels are swollen macromolecular networks with a typical size of hundred of nanometers to several microns that show an extraordinary open and responsive architecture to different external stimuli, being therefore important candidates for nanobiotechnology and nanomedical applications such as biocatalysis, sensing and drug delivery. It is therefore crucial to understand the delicate balance of physical-chemical interactions between the polymer backbone and solvent molecules that to a high extent determine their responsivity.In particular, the co-nonsolvency effect of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in aqueous alcohols is highly discussed, and there is a disagreement between molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (from literature) of the preferential adsorption of alcohol on the polymer chains and the values obtained by several empirical methods that mostly probe the bulk solvent properties.It is our contention that the most efficacious method for addressing this problem requires a nanoscopic method that can be combined with spectroscopy and record fluorescence spectra and super-resolved fluorescence lifetime images of microgels labeled covalently with the solvatochromic dye Nile Red. By employing this approach, we could simultaneously resolve the structure of sub-micron size objects in the swollen and in the collapsed state and estimate the solvent composition inside of them in ▪–▪ mixtures for two very different polymer architectures. We found an outstanding agreement between the MD simulations and our results that estimate a co-solvent molar fraction excess of approximately 3 with a very flat profile in the lateral direction of the microgel.

Special Issue: Applications and New Trends in Catalysts and Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation

In an era where environmental sustainability has become paramount, the scientific community is continually pushing the boundaries of innovation to address the pressing challenges posed by pollution and environmental degradation [...]

Material Trends and Clinical Costings in Systematically Identified CDER‐Approved Nanomedicines

AbstractResearch into mechanisms and potential applications of nanomaterials in medicine has expanded steadily in recent decades, with increasing translational focus. Development costs, including for clinical trials, are often cited as factors limiting the translational viability of novel nanomedicines, especially compared to small new molecular entities (NMEs) and therapeutic biologics. Yet, to date, there has been no systematic investigation into the clinical programs or costs of translating and commercializing nanomedicines, nor a comparison to NMEs and therapeutic biologics, to support these claims. Here, nanomedicines approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) from 2011 to 2023 are systematically identified and categorized. Nanomedicines were identified as formulations where submicron particle size contributes to product function. Like biologics and NMEs, nanomedicines are most frequently approved for oncological indications. Notably, all anti‐cancer nanomedicines are indicated to treat orphan diseases, which is representative of the potential for nanomedicines to occupy pharmaceutical niches in treating diseases affecting smaller patient cohorts. The median estimated cost of pivotal trials for nanomedicines is 47% that of biologics and NMEs approved in the same timeframe. The findings indicate higher manufacturing costs in nanomedicine development may be mitigated by savings elsewhere, increasing translational viability.

Application of Nanomaterials in the Production of Multilayer Electrically Conductive and Heat-Resistant Polymer Pipes

Application of Nanomaterials in the Production of Multilayer Electrically Conductive and Heat-Resistant Polymer Pipes

Nanoscale Radiotheranostics for Cancer Treatment: From Bench to Bedside.

In recent years, the application of radionuclides-containing nanomaterials in cancer treatment has garnered widespread attention. The diversity of nanomaterials allows researchers to selectively combine them with appropriate radionuclides for biomedical purposes, addressing challenges faced by peptides, small molecules, or antibodies used for radionuclide labeling. However, with advantages come challenges, and nanoradionuclides still encounter significant issues during clinical translation. This review summarized the recent progress of nanosized radionuclides for cancer treatment or diagnosis. The discussion began with representative radionuclides and the methods of incorporating them into nanomaterial structures. Subsequently, new combinations of nanomaterials and radionuclides, along with their applications, were introduced to demonstrate their future trends. The benefits of nanoradionuclides included optimized pharmacokinetic properties, enhanced disease-targeting efficacy, and synergistic application with other treatment techniques. Besides, the basic rule of this section was to summarize how these nanoradionuclides can truly impact the diagnosis and therapy of various cancer types. In the last part, the focus was devoted to the nanoradionuclides currently applicable in clinics and how to address the existing issues and problems based on our knowledge.

Recent Developments in the Catalytic Heterocycles Synthesis and Applications of Iron Oxide Nanomaterials

The synthesis of heterocyclic compounds has made extensive use of magnetic iron oxide (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst. They are cheap, readily available, environmentally benign, and comparatively nontoxic catalysts. Crucially, these nanoparticles’ surface modification allows reactivity to be tailored enabling catalysts to be designed for specific uses. Important performance for economically viable industrial processes include the easy recovery and reuse of the magnetic nanoparticles from the reaction mixture by magnetic separation. In recent literature on catalytic applications of magnetic iron oxide NPs numerous reactions are reported viz. selective hydrogenation of nitro-heterocyclic compounds, synthesis of functionalized [1,3]-oxazoles, synthesis of benzothiazepine, spirobenzothiazine chroman derivatives and many more. We have collected various reports from the past twelve years and compiled this review on recent trends in catalytic heterocycles synthesis and other applications of iron oxide nanomaterials.

Cr-doped CdS and ZnS nano/microstructures with ferromagnetic properties

Transition-metal-doped cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) dilute magnetic semiconductors have attracted widespread research interests due to their potential spin electron applications. Most theoretical and experimental analyses have focused on studying their optical properties. In response to the widespread application of dilute magnetic semiconductor nanomaterials in electronic components, semiconductor chips, integrated circuits and other fields, dilute magnetic semiconductors with room-temperature ferromagnetic chromium (Cr)-doped cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide nanostructures were synthesized using the solvothermal method. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, the products of chromium-doped cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide were clearly determined to be a hexagonal phase. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the morphologies of cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide with different contents of chromium were mainly composed of nanorods and a micro-floral shape. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements indicated that the synthesized products were composed of chromium, cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and sulfur (S). Vibrating-sample magnetometry showed that undoped cadmium sulfide exhibited weak ferromagnetism at room temperature, and undoped zinc sulfide exhibited diamagnetism, while chromium-doped cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide had strong ferromagnetism. The saturation magnetization M s of chromium-doped cadmium sulfide (chromium = 4.21%) was about 9.524 × 10−3 emu/g; the coercivity H c was about 98.327 Oe. The saturation magnetization M s of chromium-doped zinc sulfide (chromium = 7.67%) was about 8.502 × 10−3 emu/g; the coercivity H c was about 96.237 Oe. The ferromagnetism of chromium-doped cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide was attributed to the double-exchange mechanism.

A comprehensive review: Advancements in nanomaterials on the risk prevention, detection, and elimination of mycotoxin contamination

Mycotoxins are poison that filamentous fungi generate under specific conditions. Mycotoxins in food and feed have a detrimental effect on both human and animal health, resulting in significant financial losses for agriculture sector. Despite the continuing advancement of traditional approaches, modern research trends favor novel alternatives. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent mycotoxin contamination, which has raised concerns around the globe. Recent advancements in the management of mycotoxin contamination have been possible by the application of promising new nanomaterials. Mycotoxins have negative impacts on human health, but nanotechnology methods appear to be viable, efficient, and affordable solutions. This review elucidates information on the incidence and toxicology of mycotoxins. Nanotechnology’s potential for removal of mycotoxins is mentioned briefly. Then, attention is directed on using newly developed nanomaterials to regulate mycotoxin contamination, such as testing, production, inhibition, adsorption, and removal of mycotoxins. The issues regarding the toxicity, incidence, and management of mycotoxins are tentatively presented along with potential prospects for using nanotechnology to remove mycotoxins from food and feed.

Advanced nanomaterials in prognostic implication of oncogenic role of CDCA7 and GALNT6 for bladder cancer treatment

Cell division cycle associated 7 (CDCA7) functions in Myc-mediated tumorigenesis. Glycosylation, which is frequently altered in malignancies, is regulated by polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 6 (GALNT6) and is crucial for cancer growth. However, their prognostic value and biological roles in bladder cancer (BLCA) remain unknown. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the potential applications of cutting-edge nanomaterials in the therapeutic management of bladder cancer. A key focus of the study is to thoroughly examine the influence and involvement of the CDCA7 and GALNT6 genes in the treatment process. We assessed clinicopathological traits and prognostic value of CDCA7 and GALNT6 in BLCA.CDCA7 and GALNT6 were overexpressed in BLCA tissues from TCGA-BLCA datasets. Changes in BLCA were associated with DNA-binding transcription activator activity, mitotic cell cycle phase changes, transcription regulator complex, p53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, and pathways associated with transcriptional dysregulation in cancer. Survival analysis showed that they were crucial to the incidence and prognosis of BLCA. The expression levels of CDCA7 and GALNT6 were significantly correlated with the therapeutic effect of nanomaterials, and their down-regulation could enhance the anti-tumor effect of nanomaterials. Patients with BLCA who expressed high CDCA7 and GALNT6 levels had poorer disease outcome compared with patients with low levels.These findings have new implications for precision therapy and individualized risk stratification that will benefit patients with BLCA.