Applications Of Carbon-based Nanomaterials Research Articles

Synthesis of cost-effective Si-CQD for effective oil separation from core rock

Nanomaterials (NMs) based on carbon are suitable candidates for separating oil from core rock. Nowadays, the application of carbon-based NMs to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is far less. The production of NMs based on carbon (water-wet) is of great importance due to the high recovery they create in reservoirs. The purpose of this study was to change the wettability of oil-wet (OW) carbonate rock (CR) towards water-wet (WW) conditions using cheap synthetic materials. In this regard, the effect of three quantum carbon dots (CQDs) on saltwaters has been used. The CQDs were synthesized by hydrothermal procedure and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as the initial source of carbon. In this regard, Si-CQDs indicated great colloidal sustainability in saltwaters solutions. Therefore, to determine the morphological characteristics and structure of the synthesized NMs, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were done. The stability of NMs was investigated using the zeta potential (ZP). The new compound showed acceptable results at a very low concentration of 100 ppm. The findings indicated that the nanofluid (100 ppm Si-CQDs + Seawater (SE)) reduced the interfacial tension value from 23.34 mN/m to 7 mN/m. Also, the results showed the solution of SE + 100 ppm Si-CQDs improved the oil recovery by 24 % and 23 %. Generally, this paper opens the door for the development of carbon-based NMs with the ability to absorb sediments in the porous media of the reservoir for the efficient separation of oil from core rock. Generally, our analysis supports the use of Si-CQDs as an efficient and economical additive for further oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs.

The Comparative Toxic Impact Assessment of Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerene, Graphene, and Graphene Oxide on Marine Microalgae Porphyridium purpureum.

The growing production and application of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) represent possible risks for aquatic systems. However, the variety of CNMs with different physical and chemical properties and different morphology complicate the understanding of their potential toxicity. This paper aims to evaluate and compare the toxic impact of the four most common CNMs, namely multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerene (C60), graphene (Gr), and graphene oxide (GrO) on the marine microalgae Porphyridium purpureum. The microalgae cells were exposed to the CNMs for 96 h and measured by flow cytometry. Based on the obtained results, we determined no observed effect level (NOEL), and calculated EC10 and EC50 concentrations for growth rate inhibition, esterase activity, membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation changes for each tested CNM. According to the sensitivity (growth rate inhibition) of P. purpureum, the used CNMs can be listed in the following order (EC50 in mg/L, 96 h): CNTs (2.08) > GrO (23.37) > Gr (94.88) > C60 (>131.0). The toxicity of CNTs was significantly higher than the toxic effect of the other used CNMs, and only this sample caused an increase in ROS generation in microalgae cells. This effect was apparently caused by the high affinity between particles and microalgae associated with the presence of exopolysaccharide coverage on P. purpureum cells.

Comparative ecotoxicity of graphene, functionalized multi-walled CNTs, and their mixture in freshwater microalgae, Scenedesmus obliquus: analyzing the role of oxidative stress.

Due to their remarkable properties, the applications of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) such as graphene and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) are increasing. These CNMs can enter the freshwater environment via numerous routes, potentially exposing various organisms. The current study assesses the effects of graphene, f-MWCNTs, and their binary mixture on the freshwater algal species Scenedesmus obliquus. The concentration for the individual materials was kept at 1mg L-1, while graphene and f-MWCNTs were taken at 0.5mg L-1 each for the combination. Both the CNMs caused a decrease in cell viability, esterase activity, and photosynthetic efficiency in the cells. The cytotoxic effects were accompanied by increased hydroxyl and superoxide radical generation, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and superoxide dismutase), and mitochondrial membrane potential. Graphene was more toxic compared to f-MWCNTs. The binary mixture of the pollutants demonstrated a synergistic enhancement of the toxic potential. Oxidative stress generation played a critical role in toxicity responses, as noted by a strong correlation between the physiological parameters and the biomarkers of oxidative stress. The outcomes from this study emphasize the significance of considering the combined effects of various CNMs as part of a thorough evaluation of ecotoxicity in freshwater organisms.

Seed Priming with Fullerol Improves Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Antioxidant Enzyme System of Two Winter Wheat Cultivars under Drought Stress

The application of carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNMs) in plant science and agriculture is a very recent development. Many studies have been conducted to understand the interactions between CBNMs and plant responses, but how fullerol regulates wheat subjected to drought stress is still unclear. In this study, seeds of two wheat cultivars (CW131 and BM1) were pre-treated with different concentrations of fullerol to investigate seed germination and drought tolerance. Our results indicate that the application of fullerol at certain concentrations (25-200 mg L-1) significantly promoted seed germination in two wheat cultivars under drought stress; the most significant effective concentration was 50 mg L-1, which increased the final germination percentage by 13.7% and 9.7% compared to drought stress alone, respectively. Wheat plants exposed to drought stress induced a significant decrease in plant height and root growth, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased significantly. Interestingly, wheat seedlings of both cultivars grown from 50 and 100 mg L-1 fullerol-treated seeds were promoted in seedling growth under water stress, which was associated with lower ROS and MDA contents, as well as higher antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, modern cultivars (CW131) had better drought adaptation than old cultivars (BM1) did, while the effect of fullerol on wheat had no significant difference between the two cultivars. The study demonstrated the possibility of improving seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant enzyme activities by using appropriate concentrations of fullerol under drought stress. The results are significant for understanding the application of fullerol in agriculture under stressful conditions.

Environmental remediation and application of carbon-based nanomaterials in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water: A review

Nanotechnology is an advanced area of research that can solve a wide range of environmental issues by regulating the size and shape of materials on the nanometer scale. Because of their benign makeup, large surface area, ease of biodegradation, and special utility in environmental clean-up, carbon nanoparticles are exceptional. Around 25% of diseases that affect humans, according to the World Health Organisation, are caused by environmental pollution in the form of contaminated water, soil, and air. Among these, wastewater has been a major worldwide issue that has had a significant impact on many nations in different ways. Water contaminated with heavy metals is a serious issue that puts people's health at risk. Due to their exceptional physicochemical qualities that may be used for sophisticated treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water, carbon nanomaterials are gaining more and more attention. Due to their large surface area, nanoscale size, availability of various functionalities, and ease of chemical modification and recycling, carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene, graphene oxide, and activated carbon have great potential for the removal of heavy metals from water. The use of these carbon nanoparticles in treating water polluted with heavy metals has recently advanced, and we have examined these developments in this paper. We have also emphasised their use in environmental remediation. There has also been discussion of the toxicological concerns of carbon-based nanoparticles.

Molecular and Macromolecular Interactions of Carbon-Based Nanostructures

The interactions of molecules and macromolecules with carbon nanostructures such as carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, and fullerenes, have been stimulating the interest of the researchers working on the preparation, functionalization, properties and applications of carbon-based nanomaterials [...].

Recent trends in analysis of mycotoxins in food using carbon-based nanomaterials

Mycotoxins (MYTs), a class of low molecular weight secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi in food and feed, pose serious global threat to both human health and world economy. Due to their mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive effects, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified various MYTs under Group 1 to 3 category with aflatoxins being designated under Group 1 category (carcinogenic to humans). Also, the presence of MYTs in trace amounts in diverse food matrices necessitates exploration of highly sensitive methods for onsite analysis. Although conventional chromatographic methods are highly sensitive, they are expensive, tedious and cannot be applied for rapid onsite analysis. In recent years the application of nanomaterials especially carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) in the fabrication of low-cost and miniaturized electrochemical and optical sensors has enabled rapid onsite analysis of MYTs with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the CNMs are employed as effective solid phase extraction (SPE) adsorbents possessing high specific surface area for effective enrichment of MYTs to improve the sensitivity of chromatographic methods for MYT analysis in food. This article aims to overview the recent trends in the application of CNMs as SPE adsorbents for sample pretreatment in chromatographic methods as well as in the fabrication of highly sensitive electrochemical and optical sensors for rapid analysis of MYTs in food. Initially, the efficiency of various functionalized CNMs developed recently as adsorbent in packed SPE cartridges and dispersive SPE adsorbent/purification powder is discussed. Then, their application in the development of various electrochemical immunosensors involving functionalized carbon nanotubes/nanofibers, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots is summarized. In addition, the recent trends in the use of CNMs for fabrication of electrochemical and fluorescence aptasensors as well as some other colorimetry, fluorometry, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical based sensors are compared and tabulated. Collectively, this review article can provide a research update on analysis of MYTs by carbon-based nanomaterials paving a way for identifying future perspectives.

Thermochromic Smart Windows Assisted by Photothermal Nanomaterials.

Thermochromic smart windows are optical devices that can regulate their optical properties actively in response to external temperature changes. Due to their simple structures and as they do not require other additional energy supply devices, they have great potential in building energy-saving. However, conventional thermochromic smart windows generally have problems with high response temperatures and low response rates. Owing to their great effect in photothermal conversion, photothermal materials are often used in smart windows to assist phase transition so that they can quickly achieve the dual regulation of light and heat at room temperature. Based on this, research progress on the phase transition of photothermal material-assisted thermochromic smart windows is summarized. In this paper, the phase transition mechanisms of several thermochromic materials (VO2, liquid crystals, and hydrogels) commonly used in the field of smart windows are introduced. Additionally, the applications of carbon-based nanomaterials, noble metal nanoparticles, and semiconductor (metal oxygen/sulfide) nanomaterials in thermochromic smart windows are summarized. The current challenges and solutions are further indicated and future research directions are also proposed.

Correction: Recent developments in the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in implantable and wearable enzyme-biofuel cells

Correction: Recent developments in the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in implantable and wearable enzyme-biofuel cells

Carbon nanostructures: a comprehensive review of potential applications and toxic effects.

There is no doubt that nanotechnology has revolutionized our life since the 1970s when it was first introduced. Nanomaterials have helped us to improve the current products and services we use. Among the different types of nanomaterials, the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in every aspect of our lives has rapidly grown over recent decades. This review discusses recent advances of those applications in distinct categories, including medical, industrial, and environmental applications. The first main section introduces nanomaterials, especially carbon-based nanomaterials. In the first section, we discussed medical applications, including medical biosensors, drug and gene delivery, cell and tissue labeling and imaging, tissue engineering, and the fight against bacterial and fungal infections. The next section discusses industrial applications, including agriculture, plastic, electronic, energy, and food industries. In addition, the environmental applications, including detection of air and water pollutions and removal of environmental pollutants, were vastly reviewed in the last section. In the conclusion section, we discussed challenges and future perspectives.

Electrically conductive carbon-based (bio)-nanomaterials for cardiac tissue engineering.

A proper self-regenerating capability is lacking in human cardiac tissue which along with the alarming rate of deaths associated with cardiovascular disorders makes tissue engineering critical. Novel approaches are now being investigated in order to speedily overcome the challenges in this path. Tissue engineering has been revolutionized by the advent of nanomaterials, and later by the application of carbon-based nanomaterials because of their exceptional variable functionality, conductivity, and mechanical properties. Electrically conductive biomaterials used as cell bearers provide the tissue with an appropriate microenvironment for the specific seeded cells as substrates for the sake of protecting cells in biological media against attacking mechanisms. Nevertheless, their advantages and shortcoming in view of cellular behavior, toxicity, and targeted delivery depend on the tissue in which they are implanted or being used as a scaffold. This review seeks to address, summarize, classify, conceptualize, and discuss the use of carbon-based nanoparticles in cardiac tissue engineering emphasizing their conductivity. We considered electrical conductivity as a key affecting the regeneration of cells. Correspondingly, we reviewed conductive polymers used in tissue engineering and specifically in cardiac repair as key biomaterials with high efficiency. We comprehensively classified and discussed the advantages of using conductive biomaterials in cardiac tissue engineering. An overall review of the open literature on electroactive substrates including carbon-based biomaterials over the last decade was provided, tabulated, and thoroughly discussed. The most commonly used conductive substrates comprising graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers in cardiac repair were studied.

Recent developments in the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in implantable and wearable enzyme-biofuel cells

Recent developments in the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in implantable and wearable enzyme-biofuel cells

Renewable Carbon Nanomaterials: Novel Resources for Dental Tissue Engineering.

Dental tissue engineering (TE) is undergoing significant modifications in dental treatments. TE is based on a triad of stem cells, signaling molecules, and scaffolds that must be understood and calibrated with particular attention to specific dental sectors. Renewable and eco-friendly carbon-based nanomaterials (CBMs), including graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene quantum dots (GQD), carbon nanotube (CNT), MXenes and carbide, have extraordinary physical, chemical, and biological properties. In addition to having high surface area and mechanical strength, CBMs have greatly influenced dental and biomedical applications. The current study aims to explore the application of CBMs for dental tissue engineering. CBMs are generally shown to have remarkable properties, due to various functional groups that make them ideal materials for biomedical applications, such as dental tissue engineering.

Application of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials in Acid-Base Sensors

At present, long-term flight of carrier-based aircraft and other naval aviation equipment in high-salt, high-humidity environments will be subject to various environmental corrosion. The traditional means of monitoring aircraft corrosion is to seal water and prevent periodic inspections. The two monitoring methods are inefficient, and it is not easy to find the corrosion condition in the early stage of corrosion. When the corrosion really occurs, it will seriously threaten the safe flight of the aircraft and the safety of the pilot. Therefore, there is a need to develop an on-line monitoring sensor device for aircraft corrosion conditions to carry out real-time monitoring of aircraft acid-base corrosion (pH) conditions in high-salt, high-humidity marine environments. This paper mainly studies the application of carbon-based nanomaterials in acid-base sensors. In this paper, the acid-base sensor potential values at the same pH value are changed back and forth. In the initial state, the acid-base sensor potential values corresponding to pH = 3 are 385, 386, 379, and 392 mV, respectively. After 1500 s, the potential values of the acid-base sensor were 384, 383, 377, and 390 mV, and the three-phase hysteresis potential of the acid-base sensor was 1, 3, 2, and 2 mV, indicating that the acid-base sensor produced a small hysteresis potential. However, the amount of sensor drift is within a controllable range, and the response time of the acid-base sensor is relatively short regardless of the solution with different pH values added dropwise from acid to alkali or from alkali to acid. Therefore, the acid-base sensor has good hysteresis and recyclability.

Carbon-based nanomaterials: Synthesis and prospective applications

Abstract Carbon has been one of the chief elements in the civilization of the earth. It forms strong bonds than any other materials in different forms. In the past three decades, several carbon-based nanomaterials have been developed through various synthesis processes. Their unique morphology and multifaceted properties have enabled them to be used in multidisciplinary fields. Energy storage and production, water and wastewater treatment, and biomedical employment are few applications of carbon-based nanomaterials. This paper lays emphasis on the four most outstanding carbon-based nanomaterials i.e. carbon nanotubes, buckminsterfullerene, activated carbon, and graphene oxide. A comprehensive description of the various synthesis methods and cross-disciplinary applications have been discussed. This review also highlights the challenges faced whilst giving a methodical approach to the potential use of carbon-based nanomaterials. The study is aimed to provide a close evaluation of these materials which will be useful for the future development of carbon-based nanomaterials and will attract a broad area of applications.

Investigation of improvement in stability and power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells fabricated by incorporating carbon nanostructures in device architecture

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) along with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are synthesized using modest methods and their composites with the polymers PEDOT:PSS and P3HT are prepared using an easy solution method. An attractive improvement in the composites’ physical properties with wt% increase of the filler material is observed, encouraging their applications in the fabrication of organic solar cells (OSCs). Using the composites in appropriate layers of the device architecture, OSCs have been fabricated by spin coating, and the incorporation of filler CNTs and RGO has been observed to result in considerable improvement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of all OSCs. To study the stability of the devices, the electrical properties of the OSCs have been periodically investigated in two different environments to understand the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic degradation. The incorporation of filler carbon nanomaterials has been noticed to be successful in significantly prolonging the stability of the OSCs while maintaining the augmentation in PCE. For the best performing devices, the incorporation of CNTs and RGO has enhanced the PCE by 12.52% and 13.21% and improved the device lifetime by 37.31% and 43.23%, respectively, compared to the reference device. The results discussed in this report are greatly promising for the large scale consideration of a pioneering role of organic materials in numerous optoelectronic devices from a new and innovative perception assisted by the application of carbon-based nanomaterials.

Multilayer graphite nano-sheet composite hydrogel for solar desalination systems with floatability and recyclability

The application of carbon-based nanomaterials with high photothermal conversion efficiencies in solar desalination has the advantages of economy, environmental protection, availability and sustainability.

Improvement of Commercially Valuable Traits of Industrial Crops by Application of Carbon-based Nanomaterials

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have great potential as a powerful tool to improve plant productivity. Here, we investigated the biological effects of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on fiber-producing species (cotton, Gossypium hirsutum) and ornamental species (vinca, Catharanthus roseus). The exposure of seeds to CNTs or graphene led to the activation of early seed germination in Catharanthus and overall higher germination in cotton and Catharanthus seeds. The application of CBNs resulted in higher root and shoot growth of young seedlings of both tested species. Cultivation of Catharanthus plants in soil supplemented with CBNs resulted in the stimulation of plant reproductive system by inducing early flower development along with higher flower production. Catharanthus plants cultivated in CNTs or graphene supplemented soil accelerated total flower production by 37 and 58%, respectively. Additionally, CBNs reduced the toxic effects caused by NaCl. Long-term application of CBNs to crops cultivated under salt stress conditions improved the desired phenotypical traits of Catharanthus (higher flower number and leaf number) and cotton (increased fiber biomass) compared to untreated plants of both species cultivated at the same stress condition. The drought stress experiments revealed that introduction of CBNs to matured Catharanthus plant increased the plant survival with no symptoms of leaf wilting as compared to untreated Catharanthus growing in water deficit conditions.

Externally predictive quantum-mechanical models for the adsorption of aromatic organic compounds by graphene-oxide nanomaterials

ABSTRACTGraphene oxide is most often chosen as an alternative to graphene in the applications of carbon-based nanomaterials where adsorption is the primary process. However, its adsorption properties are poorly understood. The existing reports on the adsorption mechanism of graphene oxide rely on the linear free-energy/solvation-energy relationship (LFER/LSER) models. This computational work explores the role of quantum mechanical descriptors in the adsorption of aromatic organic compounds by graphene-oxide. For this, externally predictive quantitative models based on quantum-mechanical descriptors are developed and compared with the existing LSERs for the prediction of adsorption coefficients of organic compounds at three different adsorbate concentrations. The predictivity of the models is assessed using an external prediction set of compounds not used for developing the models. Notably, the mean polarizability, but originating from the quantum mechanical exchange interactions (between electrons of parallel spin), is found to be the most significant factor in driving the adsorption on graphene oxide. The present work also proposes quantum-mechanical-LSER models based on a combination of quantum-mechanical and LSER descriptors, which are in fact found to be equally predictive as the existing LSERs. The quantum-mechanical models proposed in this work are further utilized for the prediction of adsorption coefficients of aliphatic compounds.

Vertically-oriented graphene nanowalls: Growth and application in Li-ion batteries

Vertically-oriented graphene nanowalls (VGNWs) have been successfully synthesized under different experimental conditions (such as flow rate of argon, growth temperature, plasma power as well as deposition time) on copper foils in the reactive methane and argon environment using a capacitively coupled plasma-enhanced horizontal tube furnace deposition system. It is shown that the morphology and structure of VGNWs can be effectively tailored by experimental conditions. Furthermore, the growth mechanism of VGNWs produced in the plasma-based approach has been investigated. The synthesized VGNWs are used as anode materials in Li-ion batteries and the batteries show outstanding cycle efficiency (~99%). The specific capacity of coin-type cells can be improved by adjusting the experimental parameters and reaches 400 mAh g−1 in the first charge-discharge cycle. This work is particularly important for the development of an advanced process for the synthesis and application of carbon-based nanomaterials.