Effect Of Carbon Nanomaterials Research Articles

Oxidative Stress and Acrosomal Status of Human Spermatozoa Subjected to Hydrophobic Carbon Soot Treatments.

The fourth industrial revolution extensively reshapes the reality we are living in by blurring the boundaries of physical, digital and biological worlds. A good example is the previously unthinkable incursion of nanoscale waste materials, such as soot, into the technologies for assisted reproduction. Although the rapeseed oil soot may efficiently enhance the progressive motility of human spermatozoa, it is yet unknown whether this material induces undesirable oxidative stress and premature acrosome reaction, endangering the sperm-oocyte fusion and blastocyst formation. In an attempt to clarify this issue, we reveal that the three-hour incubation of human semen mixed with three main types of soot does not cause oxidative stress and spontaneous acrosome reaction of the sperm. These unique findings are attributed to synchronous elimination and stabilization of the oxidants via hydrogen bonding to the acidic groups of the soot (i.e., C=O and/or C-O-C) and electron donation by its basic chemical sites (i.e., C-OH and/or COOH). Moreover, the soot nanoparticles are electrostatically attracted by discrete positively charged areas on the sperm head, increasing its negative charge and in some cases interfering the acrosome reaction. Such novel mechanistic insights emphasize the credibility of rapeseed oil soot to confidently shift from the purely diagnostic and therapeutic phases in reproductive medicine to research dealing with the effect of carbon nanomaterials on the embryo development and implantation.

A comprehensive study on effect of carbon nanomaterials as conductive additives in EDLCs

This study performs a comprehensive investigation to objectively analyze the effects of various carbon nanomaterials using as conductive additives (5 wt%) in activated carbon (AC) based electrodes for electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). A variety of carbon nanomaterials including carbon black (CB), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), fullerenes (C60), and activated carbon nanofibers (ACNF) are considered in this work as they provide a diverse combination of intrinsic properties such as specific surface area, conductivity, micro-mesoporous structures, and geometry of nanomaterials. These additives are incorporated into freestanding carbon electrodes, and their EDLC performance in a neutral aqueous electrolyte is investigated by means of electrochemical measurements. The findings from this work provide useful insight into how the properties of various carbon nanomaterials influence EDLC performance in different aspects such as capacitive behavior, resistivity, performance at different current densities, charge propagation properties, and stability over long-term cycling. The results show that each carbon additive has its own strengths and limitations for different performance parameters considered. The unfavorable material properties of C60 cause a significant decrease in capacitance at high current density, leading to the lowest device performance incorporated with C60 as additives. While GNP and SWCNT show high crystallinity, low ID/IG ratios, the EDLCs still exhibit decreased specific capacitance and moderate energy densities due to their relatively limited specific surface area and high resistivity of the resultant composite electrodes compared to the pristine AC. The CB additives-based samples demonstrate the highest conductivity of dry electrodes and low equivalent series resistance (ESR) in EDLCs. On the other hand, a reduction in capacitance at high current densities and material degradation during long-term cycling are observed for CB samples, which could be attributed to the high dispersibility of CB causing limited interparticle voids and thus increasing diffusion resistance. In contrast, the use of ACNFs significantly reduces the diffusion resistance and improves the cyclic stability compared with CB based samples due to the advantages of larger specific surface area and superior micro-mesoporous structures of ACNFs. In particular, EDLCs with ACNFs demonstrate an increase in specific capacitance and energy density by 99 % and 76 %, respectively compared to CB based EDLCs at a current density of 20 A/g. This work elucidates the complex interplay between carbon nanomaterials using as additives and corresponding EDLC performance. These results provide important information to the community for future development of new energy conversion and storage devices.

Effect of carbon nanomaterials on functional diversity and structure of soil microbial community under single and repeated exposures.

The extensive application of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) has attracted increasing studies concerned about its environmental impact. These studies focus on single exposure to CNMs, but repeated exposures with relatively low concentration are more likely to occur under actual exposure scenario. In this study, we studied the metabolic functional and structure of soil microorganism community under single and repeated exposures to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MW), graphene (GR), and fullerene (C60) by Biolog EcoPlates and high-throughput sequencing. Our findings revealed that repeated exposures to CNMs significantly increase the metabolic activity and diversity of the soil microbial community as compared with single exposure. Principal component and similarity analysis not only indicated that GR exerted a stronger effect on soil microbial diversity among three exposures compared to C60 and MW, but also revealed that the metabolic activity of the soil microbial community was more affected by the exposure scenarios of CNMs than the type of CNMs. These findings elucidated the effect of CNMs under different exposure scenarios on soil microorganism community, providing a new perspective on the risk assessment of nanomaterials.

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Alter the PSII Photochemistry, Photosystem-Related Gene Expressions, and Chloroplastic Antioxidant System in Zea mays under Copper Toxicity.

A critical approach against copper (Cu) toxicity is the use of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). However, the effect of CNMs on Cu toxicity-exposed chloroplasts is not clear. The photosynthetic, genetic, and biochemical effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (50-100-250 mg L-1 CNT) were investigated under Cu stress (50-100 μM CuSO4) in Zea mays chloroplasts. Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo were suppressed under stress. Stress altered the antioxidant system and the expression of psaA, psaB, psbA, and psbD. The chloroplastic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) increased under CNT + stress, and those of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation decreased. CNTs were promoted to the maintenance of the redox state by regulating enzyme/non-enzyme activity/contents involved in the AsA-GSH cycle. Furthermore, CNTs inverted the negative effects of Cu by upregulating the transcriptions of photosystem-related genes. However, the high CNT concentration had adverse effects on the antioxidant capacity. CNT has great potential to confer tolerance by reducing Cu-induced damage and protecting the biochemical reactions of photosynthesis.

Effect of carbon nanomaterials on cell toxicity, biomass production, nutritional and active compound accumulation in plants

The unique characteristics of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have attracted great attention in the agricultural field since the breakthrough of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene. Worldwide, there have been numerous efforts to insight new interactions of CNMs with plants. Published research reported contradictory effects of CNMs on plant toxicity, biomass accumulation, development stages, nutritional and pharmaceutical compound accumulation. Thus, growth and development patterns varied in different plant species and depended on the CNM types, concentration, exposure time, plant species and growth conditions on which these were applied. It was found that CNMs at low concentrations activated water channel and cell wall extension proteins which promoted water uptake, nutrient absorption, seed germination, seedling growth and photosynthesis. On the contrary, at high doses CNMs promoted free radicals and some antioxidant enzyme production which induced oxidative stress responses and cell damage. Also, CNMs stimulated the accumulation of nutritional (carotenoids) and pharmaceutical compounds in a dose-dependent manner. Researchers noted that CNMs by changing the genes involved in secondary metabolite pathways could regulate their accumulation. The present review updates the effect of various CNMs on plant toxicity, biomass accumulation, development stages, nutritional and pharmaceutical compound accumulation in plants.

The Effect of Carbon Nanomaterials on the Toxicity Indices of Cyclophosphamide under Combined Administration

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes and fullerene derivatives are considered as promising agents for the delivery of pharmacological agents to target organs in anticancer therapy and theranostics. Cytostatic cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the chemotherapeutic drugs the targeted delivery of which is possible by CNMs. However, due to the presence of its own toxic effect in various CNMs, the question about their possible effect on the general toxic and immunotoxic effect of CP when administered together arises. The combined effect of CP and CNMs, i.e., multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and polyhydroxylated fullerenol (PHF60), administered orally daily at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, was studied in Wistar rats. In two experiments lasting 16 and 35 days with different scenarios of CP-induced immunosuppression, the lethality and integral parameters were assessed; the contents of erythrocytes and leukocytes; the biochemical parameters; the levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors; and the activity of glutathione peroxidase-I of erythrocytes were studied in the blood. The concentration of selenium and the excretion of creatinine and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine were studied in the urine. The level of reduced glutathione was studied in the liver homogenate. In the first experiment, the consumption of both MWCNTs and SWCNTs led to an almost twofold decrease in lethality caused by the introduction of CP. In the second experiment, a twofold decrease in the lethality was noted only for SWCNTs; nevertheless, MWCNTs and PHF60 also had a positive effect on the survival of animals. Consumption of CNMs did not have a significant effect on the biochemical parameters, the state of the erythropoiesis system, the weight of the thymus and spleen, or the levels of key regulatory molecules impaired due to CP treatment. At the same time, MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and PHF60 are able to reduce a number of manifestations of the CP immunotoxic effect, including the lethality, lymphopenia, and impaired balance of cytokines and chemokines/growth factors: IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-18, GM-CSF, GRO-KC, IL-12p70, IL-1β, IL-7, TNF-α, and VEGF. Thus, MWCNTs and SWCNTs, when administered together with CP, have a paradoxical effect consisting in the partial cancellation of the disturbances caused by it, which can be explained by the known ability of CNTs to enhance the mobilization, migration, and adhesion of blood cells and to trigger immune responses.

Tribological Properties of Plastic Lubricants in Compositions with Various Carbon Nanostructures

The effect of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) of various structures (multi-layered oxidized graphene, single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, schungite carbon nanoparticles) on the friction coefficient and scoring resistance of industrially manufactured imported and domestic plastic lubricant materials (PLMs) has been experimentally investigated. It is shown, that the addition of CNMs to domestic PLMs leads to an increase in durability, and the resulting effect on the friction coefficient depends on different factors, such as the type of base PLM, the structure of CNMs, the concentration of CNMs, and the load.

A mechanistic approach for the modulation of band gap of nanopolyaniline using various heterogeneous carbon nanostructures

The present work introduces a mechanistic approach for the synthesis of nanopolyaniline (nPANI) and modulation of its band gap using various carbon nanostructured materials. Carbon-based different nanostructures, viz. graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes, have been incorporated in situ for the preparation of nanocomposites. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based non-ionic surfactant-assisted oxidative polymerization of aniline was implemented. The major concern of this study is to present a possible mechanism and chemistry for the development of the nanomaterials (nPANI and its nanocomposites) and further the effect of heterogeneous carbon nanomaterials on both types of band gaps (optical and electrochemical) of nPANI in the presence of PEG. First time a comparative study between optical and electrochemical band gap has also been done to analyze the effect of carbon nanomaterials on nPANI. The prepared samples were characterized by Field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical and optical properties were assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), respectively. The electrochemical ( $$E_{\text{g}}^{\text{CV}}$$ ) and optical ( $$E_{\text{g}}^{\text{opt}}$$ ) energy gap of nPANI was evaluated as 2.74 and 2.34 eV by CV and UV–Vis quantification, respectively. It was observed that incorporation of carbon nanomaterials at lower percentage improves $$E_{\text{g}}^{\text{CV}}$$ of nPANI to as minimum as 2.34 eV as per the CV data. Schematic energy diagram showing the band gap reduction and electron transport mechanism using CV has also been presented.

Development of fibrous materials for shielding of electromagnetic radiation

To analyze the possibility of creating polyacrylonitrile fibrous materials modified with carbon nanomaterials (CNM), the effect of CNM on the process of synthesis of a copolymer of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl acrylate (MA) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) in dimethylformamide (DMF) was studied. The deterioration of the kinetic characteristics of the process and the molecular mass properties of the obtained copolymer is established. The rheological properties of solutions of poly [AN-co-MA-co-AMPS] in DMF containing CNM were investigated. The effect of CNM on the spinning capacity of AN copolymer spinning solutions, the ability of the spun fibers to plasticization stretching and thermo-orientation one, as well as the physico-mechanical properties of the obtained fibers is shown.

Effect of some carbon nanomaterials on ethanol oxidation by Gluconobacter oxydans bacterial cells

The effect of carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, thermally expanded and pyrolytic graphite) on the bioelectrochemical activity of Gluconobacter oxydans bacterial cells was studied during sorption contact with nanomaterials. For bacterial immobilization, the surface of a working bioelectrode was modified via the application of bacterial suspension in the studied nanomaterial and chitosan. The bioelectrochemical electrode characteristics (the amplitude of generated potential, cyclic volt–ampere characteristics, resistance) were estimated before and in the process of bacterial interaction with ethanol (3-electrode measurement scheme). Modification of the spectral graphite electrode by carbon nanotubes allowed a decrease in the resistance of the charge transfer by 48% and an increase in the oxidation current on cyclic volt—ampere characteristics at a voltage of 200 mV by 21% as compared with nonmodified electrode. The thermally expanded and pyrolytic graphite increased the bioelectrode resistance to 4050 and 8447 Ohm cm2, respectively. Mathematical modeling demonstrated that from 75 to 100% of biomaterial (depending on the used nanomaterial) were involved in the process of electricity generation with the selected method of the bacterial immobilization. The use of data obtained during the development of microbial biosensors and electrodes of biofuel cells is discussed.

Влияние углеродных наноматериалов на термостойкость допированных ими фотохимически отвержденных полидиметилсилоксановых полимеров

Влияние углеродных наноматериалов на термостойкость допированных ими фотохимически отвержденных полидиметилсилоксановых полимеров

Pseudocapacitive properties of cobalt hydroxide electrodeposited on Ni-foam-supported carbon nanomaterial

Cobalt hydroxide has been cathodically deposited in Co(NO3)2 aqueous solution on nickel-foam-supported carbon nanomaterial, including vertically oriented graphene nanosheets (GNS) or amorphous carbon (APC). The results indicate that the GNS has a slightly different effect on the morphology of α-Co(OH)2 from the APC. Although the cycling stability either for Co(OH)2/GNS or Co(OH)2/APC is higher than that of Co(OH)2/Ni foam, Co(OH)2/GNS exhibits a higher value (95.7% of initial capacitance can be maintained after 2000 charge-discharge cycles at high current density of 40Ag−1) compared to Co(OH)2/APC (83.8% remains). However, Co(OH)2/APC has a higher specific capacitance (1287.2Fg−1 at 2Ag−1) than Co(OH)2/GNS (692.0Fg−1). The effect of carbon nanomaterials on the capacitive characteristics for the Co(OH)2 has been explored.

Effect of carbon nanomaterials additives on the properties of epoxy composites

Исследованы возможности использования УНМ, синтезированных пиролитическим методом, в качестве модификатора при создании новых ПКМ на основе эпоксидной смолы и углеродного армирующего наполнителя. Установлено, что введение в качестве наполнителей УНМ приводит к повышению разрушающего напряжения при изгибе на 28%, при сжатии на 38 % и при разрыве на 14%. Определено, что огнестойкость композиционных материалов возрастает с увеличением количества вводимых УНМ.

Effect of Carbon Nanomaterials on the Germination and Growth of Rice Plants

For the successful diverse applications of different nanomaterials in life sciences, it is necessary to understand the ultimate fate, distribution and potential environmental impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. Phytotoxicity studies using higher plants is an important criterion for understanding the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials. We studied the effects of engineered carbon nanomaterials of various dimensionalities (carbon nanotubes, C60, graphene) on the germination of rice seeds. A pronounced increase in the rate of germination was observed for rice seeds in the presence of some of these carbon nanostructures, in particular the nanotubes. Increased water content was observed in the carbon nanomaterial treated seeds during germination compared to controls. The germinated seeds were then grown in a basal growth medium supplemented with carbon nanomaterials for studying their impact on further seedling growth. Treated seedlings appeared to be healthier with well-developed root and shoot systems compared to control seedlings. Our results indicate the possible use for carbon nanomaterials as enhancers in the growth of rice seedlings.

Intensification of microplasma discharges in the formation of ceramic coatings on aluminum alloys exposed to carbon nanoparticles

The effect of carbon nanomaterials (ultradispersed diamond-graphite blends, and ultradispersed diamonds) on the microplasma oxidation of aluminum alloys is studied. It is shown that the introduction of carbon nanomaterials into the electrolyte leads to the intensification of the coating formation process. This is evident from the increase in the coating’s thickness by a factor of 1.8–2.5 depending on the chemical composition of the alloys. A more significant effect is found for diamond-graphite blends. The surface modification with particles of nanodiamond and nanographite leads to an increase in the microhardness, wear resistance, and bearing capacity and to a decrease in the friction coefficient.

Comparison study on the effect of carbon nano materials for single-layer microwave absorbers in X-band

In this paper, we have studied on the microwave absorbers in X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) made of E-glass/epoxy composite laminates containing three different types of carbon nano materials such as carbon black (CB), carbon nano fiber (CNF) and multi-wall carbon nano tube (MWNT). We calculated the complex permittivity solutions for single-layer microwave absorbers and checked the effect of the solutions on the thickness and the absorbing bandwidth of the absorbers. The complex permittivities of the E-glass/epoxy composite laminates were measured at the frequency band of 0.5–18.0 GHz. The experimental results show that the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivities of the composites were proportional to the filler concentrations and, depending on the types of fillers and frequency band, the increasing rates of the real and imaginary parts with respect to the filler concentrations were all different. These different rates can have great effect on the thickness in designing the single-layer microwave absorbers. The effect of the different rates was examined by using Cole–Cole plots. The absorbing performances of these three types of composite absorbers were measured and the −10 dB bandwidths were all about 3 GHz.