Functional Nano Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of lignin nanoparticles from rice straw after biosynthesis using Lactobacillus bulgaricus

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic natural polymer and comprises about 25% of straw biomass. Nanolignin biosynthetic production method is a simple method and safely better than chemical or physical methods. It has an interest in using lignin in more advanced applications. In particular, lignin-based nanoparticles could find potential application use in functional surface coatings, nano glue, drug delivery, microfluidic devices, and food additive. This study aimed to optimize Lactobacillus bulgaricus in nano lignin synthesis, the effect of the incubation period and freeze-drying on the quality of the nanolignin. Lignin particles were biosynthesized using rice straw and Lactobacillus bulgaricus in a dark place with a temperature of 37°C for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Lignin nanoparticle was characterized using Fourier Transformer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Theresults indicated that nano lignin has a spherical and amorphous shape. The average size of particles is 101.6 nm with an incubation period of 24 hours, 57.2 nm with an incubation period of 48 hours, and 276.9 nm with an incubation period of 72 hours. The incubation periods affect the size and shape of nanolignin and also show that the lignin chemical structure is within the nanoparticle formation process. Samples using freeze-drying enable have natural antibacterial compounds and have phenolic fragments containing recommended for nano preservatives.

Controllable solid electrolyte interphase precursor for stabilizing natural graphite anode in lithium ion batteries

Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) precursor is a new concept to replace the complicated and undesirable electrolyte additive in the state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries. Herein, a new and effective strategy of SEI precursor is realized by applying functional nano 2, 2-dimethylethenylboronic acid (DEBA) film on natural graphite surface. The functional nano layer contributes to the development of a stable and controllable SEI via in-situ self-polymerization between the DEBA molecules on graphite surface during the cell formation. With 20 nm DEBA layer, the natural graphite anode exhibits significantly enhanced electrochemical performances in terms of the first coulombic efficiency, rate capability and cycling performance. Meanwhile, the life-span of the full cell with LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode is also significantly prolonged and the result is superior to using traditional electrolyte additive of LiODFB. The underlying mechanism lies in the on-site SEI formation and suppressed growth of the SEI film during long-term cycles.

Bioinspired supramolecular nanosheets of zinc chlorophyll assemblies

Two-dimensional sheet-like supramolecules have attracted much attention from the viewpoints of their potential application as functional (nano)materials due to unique physical and chemical properties. One of the supramolecular sheet-like nanostructures in nature is visible in the self-assemblies of bacteriochlorophyll-c–f pigments inside chlorosomes, which are major components in the antenna systems of photosynthetic green bacteria. Herein, we report artificial chlorosomal supramolecular nanosheets prepared by the self-assembly of a synthetic zinc 31-methoxy-chlorophyll derivative having amide and urea groups in the substituent at the 17-position. The semi-synthetic zinc chlorophyll derivative kinetically formed dimeric species and transformed into more thermodynamically stable chlorosomal J-aggregates in the solid state. The kinetically and thermodynamically formed self-assemblies had particle-like and sheet-like supramolecular nanostructures, respectively. The resulting nanosheets of biomimetic chlorosomal J-aggregates had flat surfaces and well-ordered supramolecular structures. The artificial sheet-like nanomaterial mimicking chlorosomal bacteriochlorophyll-c–f J-aggregates was first constructed by the model molecule, and is potentially useful for various applications including artificial light-harvesting antennas and photosyntheses.

Amino Acids and Peptides as Functional Components in Arylenediimide-Based Molecular Architectonics

Abstract Molecular architectonics has its essence in custom design and engineering of molecular assemblies by judicious exploitation of the noncovalent forces to construct ordered architectures with novel properties and functions. The art of mastering the programmed molecular assemblies is a challenging task owing to complex factors that govern recognition events at the molecular level. In this context, biomolecules with in-built information for molecular recognition are capable of guiding the molecular architectonics to construct nano, micro, and macro-architectures with functional properties and applications. In particular, amino acids and peptides are attractive auxiliaries to guide the controlled molecular self-assembly, coassembly, heterostructures and living assembly systems of functional molecules in the scheme of molecular architectonics. Use of these exquisite biomolecular auxiliaries to master the art of engineering the molecular assembly of functional aromatic units viz., arylenediimides has been a continuous effort in the emerging field of molecular architectonics. In this accounts article, we outline the amino acid and peptide functionalized arylenediimide-based designer molecular systems as functional modular units developed by our group and others with an objective to demonstrate the concept of molecular architectonics to construct functional nano, micro and macroarchitectures with wide range of properties and applications.

Amperometric enzymatic sensing of glucose using porous carbon nanotube films soaked with glucose oxidase

Glucose oxidase was soaked into a porous carbon nanotube film coating on a platinum disk electrode, then trapped beneath a topcoat of electrodeposition paint. The resulting sensors, operated at a potential of +0.6V (vs. Ag/AgCl), produced a glucose signal that was linear up to 40mM, with a 50μM detection limit. Signal stability over >100h of continuous operation in a flow cell showed the remarkable functional durability of the biosensor, and confirmed that the electropaint coating effectively prevented loss of the enzyme. This performance is deemed to derive from the minimalistic immobilization layer design and the prevention of protein leakage. The immobilization method has a potentially wide scope, in that it may also be applicable in other types of enzymatic biosensor. Graphical abstract Illustration of an enzyme biosensor design that uses glucose oxidase in bare carbon nanotube electrode modifications with electropaint topcoat for amperometric glucose quantification. Immobilization matrix supplementation with extra functional (nano-) materials was unnecessary for high-quality and stable analysis performance.

Tumor microenvironment as the "regulator" and "target" for gene therapy.

In this review, we focus on strategies for designing functional nano gene carriers, as well as choosing therapeutic genes targeting the tumor microenvironment. Gene mutations have a great impact on the occurrence of cancer. Thus, gene therapy plays a major role in cancer therapy and has the potential to cure cancer. Well-designed gene therapy largely relies on effective gene carriers, which can be divided into viral carriers and non-viral carriers. A gene carrier delivers functional genes to their intracellular target and avoids nucleic acids being degraded by nucleases in the serum. Most conventional cancer gene therapies only target cancer cells and do not appear to be sufficintly efficient to pass clinical trials. Accumulating evidence has shown that extending the therapeutic strategies to the tumor microenvironment, rather than the tumor cell itself, can allow more options for achieving robust anti-cancer efficiency. In addition, unusual features between tumor microenvironment and normal tissues, such as a lower pH, higher glutathione and reactive oxygen species concentrations, and overexpression of some enzymes, facilitate the design of smart stimuli-responsive gene carriers regulated by the tumor microenvironment. These carriers interact with nucleic acids and then form stable nanoparticles under physiological conditions. By regulation of the tumor microenvironment, stimuli-responsive gene carriers are able to change their properties and achieve high gene delivery efficiency. Considering the tumor microenvironment as the "regulator" and "target" when designing gene carriers and choosing therapeutic genes shows significant benefit with respect to improving the accuracy and efficiency of cancer gene therapy.

Highly Porous Nanocrystalline UiO-66 Thin Films via Coordination Modulation Controlled Step-by-Step Liquid-Phase Growth

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) possess exciting properties, which can be tailored by rational material design approaches. Integration of MOFs in functional nano- and mesoscale systems require selective crystallite positioning and thin-film growth techniques. Stepwise layer-by-layer liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) emerged as one of the methods of choice to fabricate MOF@substrate systems. The layer-by-layer approach of LPE allows a precise control over the film thickness and crystallite orientation. However, these advantages were mostly observed in cases of tetra-connected dinuclear paddle-wheel MOFs and Hoffmann-type MOFs. Higher connected MOFs (consisting of nodes with 8–12 binding sites), such as the Zr-oxo cluster based families, are notoriously hard to deposit in an acceptable quality by the stepwise liquid-phase process. Herein, we report the use of coordination modulation (CM) to assist and enhance the LPE growth of UiO-66, Zr6O4(OH)4(bdc)6 (bdc2– = 1,4-benzene-dicarboxylate) films. Highly porous and cr...

Quantifying Surface Properties of Silica Particles by Combining Hansen Parameters and Reichardt's Dye Indicator Data

AbstractTo obtain quantitative understanding of the effects of a chemisorbed organic modification on the surface of particles, the use of Reichardt's dye (RD) and Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) is discussed, whereby the S should be understood in terms of “similarity” rather than solubility as dispersibility is in focus. Silica nanoparticles modified to different extents with a medium chain silane including completely hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles are chosen. During spray‐drying such particles form fully redispersible micro‐raspberry superstructures. After qualitative estimations of the particles' polarity based on measuring both immersion time and ability of modified particles to stabilize oil–water emulsions, surface properties are quantified by HSP and RD. With increasing hydrophobicity, i.e., increasing amount of silane at the surface, all three contributions to HSP change. At the same time, RD analysis reveals that the normalized solvent polarity parameter decreases progressively. HSP and RD analysis are in good agreement, giving strong confidence on each method applied individually. This work demonstrates that after noticeable attempts for combined solubility parameters in case of molecules, carbon allotropes, and gelators, such studies can be extended toward functional (nano)particles and that a full picture of particle surface properties is possible via the combination of different, quantitative techniques.

Potential application of functional micro-nano structures in petroleum

Abstract This paper takes micro-nano motors and metamaterials as examples to introduce the basic concept and development of functional micro nano structures, and analyzes the application potential of the micro-nano structure design and manufacturing technology in the petroleum industry. The functional micro-nano structure is the structure and device with special functions prepared to achieve a specific goal. New functional micro-nano structures are classified into mobile type (e.g. micro-nano motors) and fixed type (e.g. metamaterials), and 3D printing technology is a developed method of manufacturing. Combining the demand for exploration and development in oil and gas fields and the research status of intelligent micro-nano structures, we believe that there are 3 potential application directions: (1) The intelligent micro-nano structures represented by metamaterials and smart coatings can be applied to the oil recovery engineering technology and equipment to improve the stability and reliability of petroleum equipment. (2) The smart micro-nano robots represented by micro-motors and smart microspheres can be applied to the development of new materials for enhanced oil recovery, effectively improving the development efficiency of heavy oil, shale oil and other resources. (3) The intelligent structure manufacturing technology represented by 3D printing technology can be applied to the field of microfluidics in reservoir fluids to guide the selection of mine flooding agents and improve the efficiency of mining.

Voltammetric sensing based on the use of advanced carbonaceous nanomaterials: a review.

This review (with 210 references) summarizes recent developments in the design of voltammetric chemical sensors and biosensors based on the use of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). It is divided into subsections starting with an introduction into the field and a description of its current state. This is followed by a large section on various types of voltammetric sensors and biosensors using CNMs with subsections on sensors based on the use of carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxides, graphene nanoribbons, fullerenes, ionic liquid composites with CNMs, carbon nanohorns, diamond nanoparticles, carbon dots, carbon nanofibers and mesoporous carbon. The third section gives conclusion and an outlook. Tables are presented on the application of such sensors to voltammetric detection of neurotransmitters, metabolites, dietary minerals, proteins, heavy metals, gaseous molecules, pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants, food, beverages, cosmetics, commercial goods and drugs of abuse. The authors also describe advanced approaches for the fabrication of robust functional carbon nano(bio)sensors for voltammetric quantification of multiple targets. Graphical Abstract Featuring execellent electrical, catalytic and surface properies, CNMs have gained enormous attention for designing voltammetric sensors and biosensors. Functionalized CNM-modified electrode interfaces have demonstrated their prominent role in biological, environmental, pharmaceutical, chemical, food and industrial analysis.

Solvothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanorods with assistance of green polymer

Development of low cost, environmental friendly crystal growth modifying reagents that are effective to HAp's microstructure regulation is highly crucial. Herein, sodium lignin sulfonate (SS), a byproduct of the pulp process, was used for preparing HAp nanorods. Results showed that both stirring time of reaction solution and the concentration of SS affected crystals' structure and aspect ratio. The growth mechanism was discussed on the basis of the results. And we hope this new synthetic strategy will offer an attractive route for the design of functional HAp nano−/micro- materials with fine structure.

Effect of Annealing Temperature of the Functional Nano Thin Films Synthesized on a Ceramic Substrate

Effect of Annealing Temperature of the Functional Nano Thin Films Synthesized on a Ceramic Substrate

Optical Properties of Functional Nano Thin Film Synthesized on Glass Substrate

Optical Properties of Functional Nano Thin Film Synthesized on Glass Substrate

Acceleration of dispersing calcium carbonate particle in aqueous media using jet milling method

Suspending particles in a liquid phase is a key to producing various functional nano products. We prepared calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles in aqueous suspension using two methods, ultrasonication and jet milling, and characterized them using various techniques. Suspensions of CaCO3 particles in aqueous media were prepared with different industrial surfactants: polyethylene glycol p-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl ether (Triton X-100), polyoxyethylene(23) lauryl ether (Brij35), polyoxyethylene alkylether (Softanol70), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). According to dynamic light scattering and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation assessments, the dispersed CaCO3 particles are clearly small when Triton X-100 or Softanol 70 is used as the surfactant regardless of whether ultrasonication or jet milling was used as the dispersion method, although the size distribution of the particles varies depending on the dispersion method. The observed zeta potentials of the CaCO3 particles in various surfactant solutions support the finding that Triton X-100 and Softanol70 are good dispersants for CaCO3 particles in aqueous media because of their larger electrostatic repulsion interaction. Pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) indicated that jet milling accelerates interaction/adsorption between CaCO3 particles and surfactant molecules, so it disperses the aggregated/agglomerated CaCO3 particles more effectively than ultrasonication. In addition, interestingly, we found that Softanol70 worked well as a dispersant for CaCO3 particles in aqueous media for both ultrasonication and jet milling, as indicated by the PFG-NMR assessment.

Ambipolar transport based on CVD-synthesized ReSe2

Control of the carrier type in two dimensional (2D) materials is a serious issue for the realization of logic devices. The carrier type control of 2D semiconducting materials such as MoTe2, WSe2 and black phosphorus have been studied for this purpose. However, the systematic study on the polarity control of transistors based on ReSe2, a new member of 2D materials, has remained unexplored despite the intriguing anisotropic optical and electrical properties deriving from the exotic crystal structure. Here, we report the electrical characterization of field effect transistors (FETs) of single crystalline ReSe2 grown by a chemical vapor deposition. In contrast to a previous report of unipolar p-type exfoliated crystals, synthesized ReSe2 FETs on SiO2 with Au contact exhibit highly symmetric ambipolar behaviors with the current on/off ratios of ~104 for both of hole and electron injection. The carrier type could be controlled via the metal contact. With Al contacts, ReSe2 FETs display perfect transition to pure n-type unipolar behavior. It is found that carrier type of ReSe2 via thickness variation was hardly modulated because the ReSe2 bandgap has little dependence on its thickness. We successfully achieved the fabrication of a logic inverter by using only ambipolar ReSe2 FETs on SiO2/Si without electrostatic doping or chemical treatments. These results demonstrate that ReSe2 is a promising candidate for future low power logic devices and functional nano electronic applications.

Development of Antimicrobial and Water Repellent/Hydrophobic (easy-cleaning) Properties on Cotton Fabrics Using Nanocoating Processes

Recently, there has been considerable interest in doing research and development on functional nano coated textiles and in creating innovative textile products. Studies have been continued for developing innovative high value-added textile products with antimicrobial, hydrophobic (water and stain repellent), hydrophilic “easy-cleaning” and UV resistant properties. The aim of this work is to impart antimicrobial and hydrophobic properties to raw cotton fabrics via functional nano coating processing techniques. Nano silver particles synthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3) and sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) are impregnated into raw cotton fabrics to develop antimicrobial properties. To investigate the antimicrobial activity of the treated cotton fabric, E. Coli bacteria tests have been performed. Coating the raw cotton fabric with methyltriethoxysilane (CH3Si(OC2H5)3), phenyltrimethoxysilane (C6H5Si(OCH3)3), and alcosols synthesized from these two compounds using sol gel techniques, produced hydrophobic surfaces. Contact angle measurements and easy-cleaning tests are performed on these surfaces.

NANO‐CIC, Suzhou (Adv. Mater. 47/2016)

Advanced MaterialsVolume 28, Issue 47 p. 10343-10343 Cover PictureFree Access NANO-CIC, Suzhou (Adv. Mater. 47/2016) First published: 15 December 2016 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201670328AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract NANO-CIC located in Suzhou is one of the first 14 Collaborative Innovation Centers in China supported by the University Innovation Capacity Building Program (called the 2011 Program for short) administered by the State Ministry of Education. Under the guidance of Suzhou Industrial Park, the Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) in Soochow University takes the leading position of NANO-CIC. Volume28, Issue47Special Issue: Nano Research at FUNSOM and NANO-CIC in SuzhouDecember 21, 2016Pages 10343-10343 RelatedInformation

Molecular Self-Assembly of Cyclic Dipeptide Derivatives and Their Applications.

Cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) are heterocyclic 2,5-diketopiperazines with exceptional structural rigidity, enzymatic stability, and biological activity, exhibiting a substantial tendency to take part in intermolecular interactions. Strong intermolecular interactions driven by unique hydrogen bonding patterns render CDPs with a high propensity to undergo molecular self-assembly. In this Review, the aim is to provide a comprehensive summary of design strategies used to engineer the molecular self-assembly of CDPs into functional nano- and micro-architectures and molecular gels with potential applications in biomedical and materials engineering fields.

Antibacterial Property of Si Nanopillar Array Fabricated Using Metal Assisted Etching; Mimic a Cicada Wing

Many living organisms including plants, insects and animals acquire functional nano and micro structures along the course of evolution. Many researchers study their functions caused by their structures and try to mimic them artificially. These research categories are called “bio-mimetics” or “bio-mimicry” and so on. In this study, we focused on a cicada wing which has superhydrophobic surface with antireflection to the light. In addition, antibacterial property was found in the cicada wing in 2012 [1-2]. The wing has nanopillars. The height, width and pitch of them are in sub micrometer size. We mimicked nanopillars on the cicada (Cryptotympana facialis) wing by using bottom up process such as a metal assisted etching. In addition, we show their antibacterial property in this report. SEM image of the cicada wing is shown in Fig. 1, and showed that circular truncated cones were spread all over the wing. As the results of measuring their structures, the width (w), pitch (p), and height (h) were 148 nm, 196 nm, 229 nm, respectively. Si nano pillars were fabricated on Si (100) wafer. The fabrication process of nanopillar array on Si was written below. After the Si wafer was cleaned with piranha solution (H2O2:H2SO4=1:3) for 30 minutes, the wafer was dipped in an ammonia solution (NH4OH:H2O=1:3) for 1 hour to be hydrophilicity. (1) Polystyrene (PS) beads were coated on the Si wafer using a spincoater to have mono layer of PS beads. (2) The diameter of PS beads was decreased using O2 plasma. (3) Au thin layer was deposited on the Si wafer coated with PS beads by the DC sputtering method. (4) Si under the Au layer was etched selectively due to the metal assisted etching [3-4]. (5) Au layer was removed chemically using aqua regalis. (6) Finally, PS beads were removed using O2 plasma as written above. SEM image of fabricated sample was shown in Fig. 2. Nanopillars were arrayed with regularity. W, p and h of the fabricated nanopillar were 150 nm, 200 nm and 200 nm, respectively. These data was the same as the dimension of the cicada wing discussed above. A protocol based on JIS (Japan Industrial Standards) Z 2801 was applied to evaluate the antibacterial property of samples which had nanostructures. E. coli (NBRC3972) was served as a bacteria assay. The concentration of viable bacteria was 3.9×104 CFU/mL at the beginning of the test. The results of antibacterial property test were shown in Table 1 with sample dimension (h, w, p). In general, it can be said that sample has antibacterial activity when survival rate (SR) is lower than 0.01. Here, SR was calculated as coliform number after the test divided by that before the test. Sample A, B and C showed high antibacterial property because the concentration of viable bacteria was lower than 1 CFU/mL. The fabricated samples showed obvious antibacterial properties. Antibacterial property dependent with the dimension of the nanostructures will be reported in near future. Our proposed process was has advantages for industrial usage because of low cost and low environmental load based on wet process. Figure 1

Preparation, in-vitro and in-vivo characterisation of CoQ10 microparticles: electrospraying-enhanced bioavailability.

This study aimed to prepare Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) microparticles using electrospraying technology, and evaluate the in-vitro properties and in-vivo oral bioavailability. Electrospraying was successfully used to prepare CoQ10 to enhance its solubility and dissolution properties. In-vitro evaluation of the electrosprayed microparticles showed bioavailability-enhancing properties such as reduced crystallinity and particle size. The formulation was evaluated using dissolution study and in-vivo oral bioavailability using rat model. The dissolution study revealed enhanced dissolution properties of electrosprayed microparticles compared with physical mixture and raw material. The absorption profiles showed increasing mean plasma levels CoQ10 in the following order: raw material < physical mixture < electrosprayed microparticles. Based on the findings in this study, electrospraying is a highly prospective technology to produce functional nano- and micro-structures as delivery vehicles for drugs with poor oral bioavailability due to rate-limiting solubility.