Au Carbon Nanotubes Research Articles

Influences of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms: Current situation of nanoparticles effects in aquatic ecosystems

The quick improvement of nanotechnology permits a wide range of utilization of engineered nanoparticles, such as personal care products, medicals, optics, electronics, and automobiles. The nanoparticles manufactured from Ag, Au carbon-nanotube, ZnO, SiO2, TiO2, Cu, Ni, and magnetic ferrites are among the generally utilized in products. The nanoparticles are produced and utilized in large quantities and release into marine and freshwater ecosystems during production, use, discharge, treatment, and deposition. Those particles with a mean size of 1 nm - 100 nm are of potential environmental risks because of their particular qualifications and high reactivity although their great economical values. Based on the studies, the size, shape, and surface physical and chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles show the level of aggregation, solubility, structural and chemical composition, the importance of the use of nanoparticles, and their toxicity with biological systems. Nanoparticles can potentially cause adverse impacts on tissue, cellular, genetic materials, and protein- enzyme levels due to their unique physical and chemical qualifications. In this study, the effects of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms and aquatic ecosystems were evaluated.

Synergistic Effect of Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Carbon Nanotubes in Quantum Dots/TiO2 for Optoelectronic Devices.

Here, a facile approach to enhance the performance of solar‐driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is described by means of the synergistic effects of a hybrid network of plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NPs) decorated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The device based on TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network sensitized with colloidal CdSe/(CdSexS1− x)5/(CdS)1 core/alloyed shell quantum dots (QDs) yields a saturated photocurrent density of 16.10 ± 0.10 mA cm−2 [at 1.0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)] under 1 sun illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm−2), which is ≈26% higher than the control device. The in‐depth mechanism behind this significant improvement is revealed through a combined experimental and theoretical analysis for QDs/TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network and demonstrates the multifaceted impact of plasmonic Au NPs and CNTs: i) hot‐electron injection from Au NPs into CNTs and TiO2; ii) near‐field enhancement of the QDs absorption and carrier generation/separation processes by the plasmonic Au NPs; iii) enhanced photoinjected electron transport due to the highly directional pathways offered by CNTs. These results provide fundamental insights on the properties of QDs/TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network, and highlights the possibility to improve the performance of other solar technologies.

Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Neural Recording and Stimulation.

Recordings and stimulations of neuronal electrical activity are topics of great interest in neuroscience. Many recording techniques, and even treatment of neurological disorders, can benefit from a microelectrode that is flexible, chemically inert, and electrically conducting and preferentially transfers electrons via capacitive charge injection. Commercial electrodes that currently exist and other electrodes that are being tested with the purpose of facilitating and improving the electron transport between solid materials and biological tissues still have some limitations. This paper discusses carbon nanotube (CNT)-based microelectrodes to record and stimulate neurons and compares their electron transport capabilities to noble metals such as Au and Ag. The recording ability of electrodes is tested through electroretinography on Sarcophaga bullata fly eyes by using Au and Ag wires and CNT fibers as electrodes. Stimulation is demonstrated through the implantation of Au wire and CNT fibers into the antennas of the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) to control their locomotion. Our results demonstrate that a particular property of the CNT fiber is its high rate of electron transfer, leading to an order of magnitude lower impedance compared to Au and Ag and an impressive 15.09 charge injection capacity. We also established that this carbon nanomaterial assembly performs well for in vivo electrophysiology, rendering it a promising prospect for neurophysiological applications.

Enhanced catalytic activity of gold nanoparticle-carbon nanotube hybrids for influenza virus detection

Multifunctional nanohybrids have created new and valuable opportunities for a wide range of catalysis and biotechnology applications. Here, we present a relatively simple method for producing nanohybrids composed of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that does not require an acidic pre-treatment of the CNTs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectra revealed that Au NPs bonded to the CNT surface. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) revealed a stronger signal from Au-CNT nanohybrids than from pristine CNTs. The Au-CNT nanohybrids showed catalytic activity in the oxidation of 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB) by H2O2 and developed a unique blue colour in aqueous solution. Because of the enhanced peroxidase-like activity of these Au-CNT nanohybrids, they were selected for use as part of a highly sensitive colorimetric test for influenza virus A (H3N2). In the presence of influenza A virus (H3N2) in the test system (specific antibody-conjugated Au CNT nanohybrids-TMB-H2O2), a deep blue colour developed, the optical density of which was dependent on the virus concentration (10–50,000 PFU/ml). The limit of detection of this proposed method was 3.4 PFU/ml, a limit 385 times lower than that of conventional ELISA (1312 PFU/ml). The sensitivity of this test was also 500 times greater than that of commercial immunochromatography kits. The nanohybrid preparation and colorimetric detection methods reported herein may be easily adapted to other nanohybrid structures with enzyme mimetic properties for broader applications in catalysis and nanobiotechnology.

Fabrication and characterization and biosensor application of gold nanoparticles on the carbon nanotubes

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized by co-deposition of RF-sputtering and RF-PECVD from acetylene gas and Au target on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNTs were prepared by thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD) and Pd nanoparticles catalyst. TEM image shows that high-density and uniform distribution of Au NPs were grown on the CNTs. XRD analysis indicates that Au NPs have fcc crystal structure and CNTs have a good graphite structure. Raman spectroscopy results suggest that our sample includes double-walled CNTs. It is resulted that intensity of D-band reduces and G-band intensity raises and radial breathing mode (RBM) is changed by immobilizing of Au NPs on the CNTs. Raman results that the free electrons on the CNTs increase by immobilizing of Au NPs. Also localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak of Au NPs has red-shift and broadens when it is immobilized on the CNTs. The change in LSPR peak rises from decreasing of local electrons density on the Au NPs surface. Raman and LSPR spectroscopy suggest that there are charge transferring and chemical bonds between Au NPs and CNTs. We applied the prepared sensor chips of Au NPs@CNTs to detect DNA primer at femtomolar concentration based on the LSPR technique.

ADDITION OF CONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS TO POLYMERIC SCAFFOLDS FOR MUSCLE TISSUE ENGINEERING

Cardiac and skeletal muscles are two tissues that would benefit from an electrically conductive scaffold to regenerate lost or lower functioning areas. By augmenting polymeric scaffolds with conductive elements, the contractile process for both muscles could increase. In this review, the components reviewed include polyaniline (PANi), gold (Au) nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes (CNT). PANi has been combined with several polymers and increased the conductivity of the scaffolds. It is biocompatible, but increases mechanical properties and decreases scaffold elongation. Tissue engineering using nanoparticles is an emerging area and considerable research focuses on determining possible toxicity due to nanoparticle concentration. Contradicting data exists for both Au nanoparticles and CNT. Smaller Au nanoparticles damage cardiac tissue in vivo while larger ones do not. By comparison, in vitro data shows no harmful results for skeletal muscle cells. Data for CNT is just as diverse as the amount, orientation and further purification or functionalization could all play a role in determining biocompatibility. Future research should focus on establishing the conductivity level needed for each muscle tissue to ascertain the amount of conductive element needed so the most suitable one can be utilized.

Integration of SWNT film into MEMS for a micro-thermoelectric device

This paper reports the top-down fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film onmicroelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) and the characterization of the thermoelectriccoefficients of aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) forest film. The film wassynthesized by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a process known as‘super-growth’. CNT film was then condensed, manually maneuvered, and convenientlypatterned by electron beam (EB) lithography to form desirable shapes. We demonstratethis process by patterning an array of Au–CNT thermocouples; measurement under roomtemperature conditions reveals the Seebeck coefficient of aligned SWNT film to be 18–20 µV C − 1.

Contact resistance between Au and solution-processed CNT

Abstract We have studied the contact resistance (RC) between Au and a solution-processed film of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The test element group of the contact chain is modeled as a simple periodic series of resistors, the RC represents the resistor of the Au–CNT contact. The contact resistivity (ρC) was evaluated from RC by multiplying the contact area. When the sheet resistance (Rsh) of the CNT layer is 200 Ω/sq, the ρC is 27 μΩ cm2, which is ∼30 times of that of the Au–IZO contact at the same Rsh. This is mainly due to the three-dimensional shape of the CNT surface, resulting in a smaller contact area on the flat surface of the Au.

The point-defect of carbon nanotubes anchoring Au nanoparticles

The understanding of the interaction between Au and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is very important since Au/CNTs composites have wide applications in many fields. In this study, we investigated the dispersion of Au nanoparticles on the CNTs by transmission electron microscopy and the bonding mechanism between Au clusters and CNTs by means of density functional theory calculations. Both experimental and theoretical studies show that point defects are the anchoring sites of Au nanoparticles. The mechanisms of enhanced bond between Au and CNTs via the point defects are explained by the analysis of density of states, charge transfer and frontier molecular orbitals.

Sensitively Electrochemical Sensing for Sequence‐Specific Detection of Phosphinothricin Acetyltransferase Gene: Layer‐by‐Layer Films of Poly‐L‐Lysine and Au‐Carbon Nanotube Hybrid

AbstractAn electrochemical DNA sensing film was constructed based on the multilayers comprising of poly‐L‐lysine (pLys) and Au‐carbon nanotube (Au‐CNT) hybrid. A precursor film of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was firstly self‐assembled on the Au electrode surface. pLys and Au‐CNT hybrid layer‐by‐layer assembly films were fabricated by alternately immersing the MPA‐modified electrode into the pLys solution and Au‐CNT hybrid solution. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor the consecutive growth of the multilayer films by utilizing [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− and [Co(phen)3]3+/2+ as the redox indicators. The outer layer of the multilayer film was the positively charged pLys, on which the DNA probe was easily linked due to the strong electrostatic affinity. The hybridization detection of DNA was accomplished by using methylene blue (MB) as the indicator, which possesses different affinities to dsDNA and ssDNA. Differential pulse voltammetry was employed to record the signal response of MB and determine the amount of the target DNA sequence. The established biosensor has high sensitivity, a relatively wide linear range from 1.0×10−10 mol/L to 1.0×10−6 mol/L and the ability to discriminate the fully complementary target DNA from single or double base‐mismatched DNA. The sequence‐specific DNA related to phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene from the transgenically modified plants was successfully detected.

Easy decoration of carbon nanotubes with well dispersed gold nanoparticles and the use of the material as an electrocatalyst

A simple method has been developed to directly attach gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high dispersivity by using a small amount of ethanol to reduce the interfacial tension between CNTs and aqueous solution and impart solubility for CNTs in the solution containing Au-NPs. Both SEM and TEM characterization showed that Au-NPs distributed uniformly on the walls of CNTs. UV–vis spectra of the solution before and after attachment revealed that Au-NPs in the original solution were completely loaded on the CNTs without loss of Au source. The content of Au-NPs on CNTs could be controlled readily by adjusting the weight ratio between Au particles and CNTs. The electrochemical catalytic properties of the so-produced composites were characterized, and the samples showed a catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction that is higher than those reported in the literature.