Iron-based Nanoparticles Research Articles

Facile Synthesis of Magnetic Iron-Based Nanoparticles from the Leach Solution of Hyperaccumulator Plant Pinus brutia for the Antibacterial Activity and Colorimetric Detection of Ascorbic Acid.

It has been well known that metallic nanoparticles with striking properties possess wide application prospects in the processes of colorimetric detection, catalysis, disease diagnosis and treatment, energy, wastewater treatment, remediation, and antibacterial activity in recent years. Herein, iron-based nanoparticles (FeNPs), metallic nanoparticles, were synthesized via a facile chemical reduction method using a hyperaccumulator plant. Also, their use in antibacterial activity applications and colorimetric ascorbic acid (AA) detection was investigated. It was observed that FeNPs presented high antibacterial potency against Gram-positive bacteria of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus and also Gram-negative bacteria of Escherichia coli(O157: H7), E. coli(ATCC 25922), Salmonella enteritidis, and Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, it was found that FeNPs exhibited superior peroxidase-like activity to catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce a blue color product, oxidized TMB (oxTMB), in the presence of H2O2. The colorimetric AA detection could be carried out by making the solution color lighter owing to the antioxidant property of AA. The quantitative detection of AA could be performed simply, selectively, and sensitively with FeNPs with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.5462 μM in a linear range of 30-200 μM.

High efficiency degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using Cu2S/Cu2O decorated nanoscale zerovalent iron via adsorption and photocatalytic performances

In this work, a novel cuprous sulfide (Cu2S) and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) decorated iron-based nanoparticles (INPs) were developed (Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B, B denote bentonite) and applied for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared catalyst were characterized via SEM, TEM, BET, DRS, and EIS. Results of TEM images exhibited the deposition of copper species could improve the morphology and reduce the mean particles size effectively. Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B exhibited excellent catalytic performance to degrade 2,4-DCP by adsorption, Fenton-like oxidation and photocatalytic processes. Under optimal conditions, the degradation percentages caused by adsorption, adsorption-Fenton like and adsorption-Fenton like-photocatalytic processes were about 27.6%, 74.58% and 99.8%, respectively. Furthermore, GC-MS served to identify the intermediates and final products, a possible mechanism and degradation pathway for 2,4-DCP were proposed based on the intermediate by-products detection and active radicals’ detection. The reusability of Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B was achieved with four successive runs. Research provides a promising approach for the treatment of chlorophenols polluted water.

Distribution of Iron Nanoparticles in Arrays of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are anisotropic nanomaterials possessing a high length-to-diameter aspect ratio, channels passing through the array, and mechanical strength along with flexibility. The arrays are produced in one step using aerosol-assisted catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), where a mixture of carbon and metal sources is fed into the hot zone of the reactor. Metal nanoparticles catalyze the growth of CNTs and, during synthesis, are partially captured into the internal cavity of CNTs. In this work, we considered various stages of multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) growth on silicon substrates from a ferrocene–toluene mixture and estimated the amount of iron in the array. The study showed that although the mixture of precursors supplies evenly to the reactor, the iron content in the upper part of the array is lower and increases toward the substrate. The size of carbon-encapsulated iron-based nanoparticles is 20–30 nm, and, according to X-ray diffraction data, most of them are iron carbide Fe3C. The reasons for the gradient distribution of iron nanoparticles in MWCNT arrays were considered, and the possibilities of controlling their distribution were evaluated.

Iron-Based Nanoparticles Applied to Evaluate MRI Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer Treated with Apatinib

Objective: To investigate the value of iron-based nanoparticles in evaluating the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer treated with apatinib. Methods: Apatinib treatment and MRI were performed in patients with primary liver cancer. The characteristics of liver tissue sections and biodistribution in mice after injection of Fe2O3-PEG and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-pep) were analyzed, and the MRI characteristics and magnetic resonance signals of Fe2O3-PEG and Fe2O3-pep nanoparticles were compared. Results: Fe2O3-PEG and Fe2O3-pep had little effect on the activity of human normal hepatocytes. There was no significant difference in liver tissue sections between mice injected with Fe2O3-PEG and Fe2O3-pep nanoparticles. The Fe2O3-PEG and Fe2O3-pep in the liver organs of mice were 11.3 and 9.7, which were significantly higher than those in other organs. At 12 hours and 24 hours after injection of Fe2O3-pep and Fe2O3-PEG nanoparticles, the signal at the tumor site decreased on T2WI images, the maximum contrast of magnetic resonance images was enhanced at 12 hours after injection, and the signal decrease was more significant in the group injected with Fe2O3-pep nanoparticles. Conclusion: Fe2O3-pep has higher tumor targeting and has positive application value in evaluating MRI diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

Synthesis & Characterization of Europium, Yttrium and Iron-based Nanoparticles

Synthesis & Characterization of Europium, Yttrium and Iron-based Nanoparticles

Enhancement of Anaerobic Digestion with Nanomaterials: A Mini Review

In recent years, the number of articles reporting the addition of nanomaterials to enhance the process of anaerobic digestion has exponentially increased. The benefits of this addition can be observed from different aspects: an increase in biogas production, enrichment of methane in biogas, elimination of foaming problems, a more stable and robust operation, absence of inhibition problems, etc. In the literature, one of the current focuses of research on this topic is the mechanism responsible for this enhancement. In this sense, several hypotheses have been formulated, with the effect on the redox potential caused by nanoparticles probably being the most accepted, although supplementation with trace materials coming from nanomaterials and the changes in microbial populations have been also highlighted. The types of nanomaterials tested for the improvement of anaerobic digestion is today very diverse, although metallic and, especially, iron-based nanoparticles, are the most frequently used. In this paper, the abovementioned aspects are systematically reviewed. Another challenge that is treated is the lack of works reported in the continuous mode of operation, which hampers the commercial use of nanoparticles in full-scale anaerobic digesters.

Changes in Heavy Oil Saturates and Aromatics in the Presence of Microwave Radiation and Iron-Based Nanoparticles

Our knowledge of electromagnetic heating’s effect on heavy oil upgrading is largely based on very limited data. The aim of the present research was thus to study in detail the effect of microwave exposure in the absence and presence of nanosized magnetite on the composition of heavy oil. The obtained data reveal that the use of nanosized magnetite improves not only microwave radiation application as a result of its absorption and release of thermal energy but also that these nanoparticles have a catalytic ability to break carbon–heteroatom bonds in the composition of resins and asphaltene molecules. In fact, the overall reduction in asphaltenes or resins does not always adequately describe very important changes in asphaltene composition. Even a small fraction of broken carbon–heteroatom bonds can lead to an increase in the mobility of asphaltenes. Moreover, this study has shed light on the important evidence for asphaltenes’ transformation, which was found to be the formation of light aromatic compounds, such as alkylbenzenes, naphthalenes and phenanthrenes. These compounds were fixed in the composition of the aromatic fraction. We believe that these compounds could be the fragments obtained from asphaltenes’ degradation. The evidence from this study points toward the idea that asphaltenes’ destruction is crucial for increasing oil mobility in the reservoir rock during its thermal stimulation.

Bioelectricity Buzz.

Bioelectricity Buzz.

An integrated optical and chromogenic probe for tumor cell imaging

Tumor cell heterogeneity determines the prognosis and metastasis of the tumor. It is pivotal to develop an innovative and facile cell imaging probe for cell and tumor tissue imaging. Combined the fluorescent properties, enzyme-like catalytic activity of Au nanocluster materials and the catalytic activity of Iron-based nanoparticles to establish an integrated probe is novel work for tumor cell multi-modal imaging. Herein, we developed a facile method to prepare Au/Fe integrated probe using BSA as a template. By the optimization of the experimental conditions, the Au/Fe integrated multi-functional imaging probe was successfully synthesized. The bio-safety and enzyme-like catalysis were also explored. The results showed that the Au/Fe integrated probe possess good fluorescent, biosecurity and enzyme-like catalysis property. Meanwhile, the Au/Fe integrated probe exhibited excellent tumor cell optical and chromogenic imaging ability. The results suggested that the prepared Au/Fe integrated multi-functional imaging probe is a promising candidate for biolabeling of the biological sample.

Disruption of dual homeostasis by a metal-organic framework nanoreactor for ferroptosis-based immunotherapy of tumor

Ferroptosis, a newfound non-apoptotic cell death pathway that is iron- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent, has shown a promise for tumor treatment. However, engineering ferroptosis inducers with sufficient hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iron supplying capacity remains a great challenge. To address this issue, herein, we report a powerful nanoreactor by modifying MnO2, glucose oxidase, and polyethylene glycol on iron-based metal-organic framework nanoparticles for disrupting redox and iron metabolism homeostasis, directly providing the Fenton reaction-independent downstream ferroptosis for tumor therapy. By consuming glutathione and oxidizing glucose to increase the H2O2 level in cancer cells and downregulating ferroportin 1 to accumulate intracellular iron ions, the homeostasis disruptor could effectively enhance the ferroptosis. Subsequently, the ferroptosis cells release tumor immune-associated antigens, which combine with in situ injected aptamer-PD-L1 to further strengthen the tumor treatment efficiency. This work not only paves a way to enhance the efficacy of ferroptosis-based cancer therapy by associating intracellular redox homeostasis with the iron metabolism system in tumor cells but also offers an engineered nanoreactor as a promising mimetic antigen for activating immunotherapy.

The role of iron-based nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) on methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion (AD) performance.

Several strategies have been proposed to improve the performance of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Among them, the use of various nanoparticles (NPs) (e.g. Fe, Ag, Cu, Mn, and metal oxides) is considered one of the most effective approaches to enhance the methanogenesis stage and biogas yield. Iron-based NPs (zero-valent iron with paramagnetic properties (Fe0) and iron oxides with ferromagnetic properties (Fe3O4/Fe2O3) enhance microbial activity and minimise the inhibition effect in methanogenesis. However, comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on the function and impact of Fe-NPs on methanogens and methanogenesis stages in AD is frequently required. This review focuses on the applicative role of iron-based NPs (Fe-NPs) in the AD methanogenesis step to provide a comprehensive understanding application of Fe-NPs. In addition, insight into the interactions between methanogens and Fe-NPs (e.g. role of methanogens, microbe interaction and gene transfer with Fe-NPs) beneficial for CH4 production rate is provided. Microbial activity, inhibition effects and direct interspecies electron transfer through Fe-NPs have been extensively discussed. Finally, further studies towards detecting effective and optimised NPs based methods in the methanogenesis stage are reported.

Comprehensive analysis of the impacts of iron-based nanoparticles and ions on Anammox process

The short- and long-term effects of 5 mg L−1 iron-based nanoparticles (NPs) and ions on Anammox sludge were comparatively investigated in the present study, including Fe3O4 NPs, Fe2O3 NPs, Fe NPs, Fe (II) and Fe (III). Results showed that short-term exposure to Fe (II) obviously increased the Anammox activity, while Fe2O3 NPs and Fe (III) both decreased it (p < 0.05), and Fe3O4 and Fe NPs presented slight impacts. After long-term exposure, the TN removal efficiencies varied to 89.4%, 42.5%, 74.8%, 91.3% and 56.2%, respectively, while that in the control was 82.6%. The OTUs showed the highest difference from others in the sludge exposed to Fe2O3 NPs, while the microbial biodiversity in the iron exposed reactors all increased. The relative abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia varied to 11.67%, 3.99%, 10.07%, 13.89% and 8.07%, respectively, from the abundance as 11.26% in the control. Denitrifying bacteria, including Arenimonas and Denitritisoma were enhanced by the iron. The impacts (positive (+) or negative (-)) of the irons on Anammox process were in the order Fe (II)(+)>Fe3O4 NPs(+)>Fe NPs( ± )> Fe (III)(-)>Fe2O3 NPs(-). Fe (II) and Fe3O4 NPs could be adopted for stimulating Anammox activity, while using Fe NPs need to pre-cultivate the sludge or optimize the dosing strategy.

Reusable Iron/Iron Oxide-based Nanoparticles Catalyzed Organic Reactions

ABSTRACT:The last decade has witnessed a remarkable progress in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanoparticles have been extensively used in diverse areas, including medicine, sensor, and catalysis. The easy accessibility of nanoparticles (NPs) with different shapes, sizes and compositions has inspired researchers to investigate their applications in catalysis. Recently, magnetic nanoparticles, such as iron-based nanoparticles, have attracted much consideration due to their unique properties, such as superparamagnetism, greater surface area, surface-to-volume ratio, and easy separation methodology. They increase the competence of organic reactions in terms of activity, selectivity, yield, simplicity, and sustainability. In this review, we focus on the developments of iron/iron oxide-based nanoparticles-catalyzed organic reactions and some examples of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as carriers/support for the main catalyst in organic reactions. Owing to magnetic properties, these nanocatalysts can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and reused for several runs without loss of catalytic activity. Iron-based nanoparticles are used in a wide range of catalytic processes and applications. Notable focus has been on the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes, and also the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to aniline. Other catalyzed organic reactions, such as hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones, oxidative dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles, azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions, synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds, multicomponent reactions, and crosscoupling reactions for C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation have been covered.

Development of a Novel MR Colonography via Iron-Based Solid Lipid Nanoparticles.

PurposeTo develop an iron-based solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) absorbable by the intestinal wall and assess the differential diagnostic value of intestinal lesions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsSLNs were prepared with the simultaneous loading of trivalent Fe ions (Fe3+), levodopa methyl ester (DM), and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). We evaluated the particle size, loading rate, encapsulation efficiency, and cytotoxicity of SLNs. The T1 contrast effects of the FeDM-FITC-SLNs and gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) were compared in different mouse models: acute ulcerative colitis (AUC), chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC), colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and normal control. MRI was performed in the same mouse with intravenous injection of GBCA on day 1 and enema of FeDM-FITC-SLNs on day 2. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were compared using one-way analysis of variance. Tissues were then collected for histology.ResultsThe average particle size of FeDM-FITC-SLN was 220 nm. The mean FeDM loading rate was 94.3%, and the encapsulation efficiency was 60.3%. The relaxivity was 4.02 mM−1·s−1. After enema with FeDM-FITC-SLNs, MRI showed the following contrast enhancement duration: AUC = COAD > normal > CUC. Confocal fluorescence microscopy confirmed that FeDM-FITC-SLNs were mainly distributed in the intestinal mucosa and tumor capsule.ConclusionIron-based SLNs are promising alternatives for contrast enhancement at T1-weighted MRI and will help in the differential diagnosis of intestinal bowel diseases (IBDs).

Nitrate reduction by nanoscale zero valent iron (nFe0)-based Systems: Mechanism, reaction pathway and strategy for enhanced N2 formation

• Fe 0 NPs show promising in NO 3 – -N pollution abatement; • Single Fe 0 favors the conversion of NO 3 – -N to NH 3 -N rather than N 2 -N; • Poor N 2 yield results from the over-strong binding of H* and N-intermediates with Fe 0 ; • Pd decoration tunes the nFe 0 -N-intermediate binding strength, promoting the N 2 yield. Nitrate (NO 3 – ) removal on nanoscale zero-valent iron-based nanoparticles (nFe 0 particles) represents one efficient and green technology for nitrate pollution abatement, but its development is hindered by the low product selectivity towards harmless N 2 . Herein we demonstrate the inferior performance of nFe 0 in N 2 production originates from its over-strong affinity with both the H* and the N-intermediates (denoted as N*), leading to a low N/H molar ratio and a poor mobility of N* on Fe surface that facilitates the formation of NH 3 rather than N 2 . Increasing NO 3 – feeding concentration or lowing nFe 0 dose can uplift the N 2 selectivity up to 41.9% ( vs. 19.3% by single nFe 0 in removing 20 mg L -1 NO 3 – -N), but has to sacrifice NO 3 – removal efficiency and yield more toxic NO 2 – . The nFe 0 surface modification by 12.0 wt% palladium (Pd) gives rise to a N 2 selectivity of 46.0% and a NO 3 – removal efficiency above 90% ( vs. 100% by single nFe 0 ). Theoretical calculations reveal the critical role of Pd in weakening the binding strengths of H* and N* on catalyst, which enables to reduce the H* adsorption and promote the migration of N* that increases the N*-N* encountering possibility for N 2 formation. This correlation between surface chemistry and NO 3 – conversion may guide the design of improved Fe 0 -based materials for practical nitrate remediation.

Assessment of iron nanoparticle distribution in mouse models using ultrashort-echo-time MRI.

Microscopic magnetic field inhomogeneities caused by iron deposition or tissue‐air interfaces may result in rapid decay of transverse magnetization in MRI. The aim of this study is to detect and quantify the distribution of iron‐based nanoparticles in mouse models by applying ultrashort‐echo‐time (UTE) sequences in tissues exhibiting extremely fast transverse relaxation. In 24 C57BL/6 mice (two controls), suspensions containing either non‐oxidic Fe or AuFeO x nanoparticles were injected into the tail vein at two doses (200 μg and 600 μg per mouse). Mice underwent MRI using a UTE sequence at 4.7 T field strength with five different echo times between 100 μs and 5000 μs. Transverse relaxation times T 2* were computed for the lung, liver, and spleen by mono‐exponential fitting. In UTE imaging, the MRI signal could reliably be detected even in liver parenchyma exhibiting the highest deposition of nanoparticles. In animals treated with Fe nanoparticles (600 μg per mouse), the relaxation time substantially decreased in the liver (3418 ± 1534 μs (control) versus 228 ± 67 μs), the spleen (2170 ± 728 μs versus 299 ± 97 μs), and the lungs (663 ± 101 μs versus 413 ± 99 μs). The change in transverse relaxation was dependent on the number and composition of the nanoparticles. By pixel‐wise curve fitting, T 2* maps were calculated showing nanoparticle distribution. In conclusion, UTE sequences may be used to assess and quantify nanoparticle distribution in tissues exhibiting ultrafast signal decay in MRI.

A Study of l-Lysine-Stabilized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs) on Microalgae Biofilm Formation of Chlorella vulgaris

Despite iron-based nanoparticles gaining huge attraction in various field of sciences and technology, their application rises ecological concerns due to lack of studies on their interaction with microbial cells populations and communities, such as biofilms. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris cells were employed as a model of aquatic microalgae to investigate the impacts of l-lysine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (lys@IONPs) on microalgal growth and biofilm formation. In this regard, C. vulgaris cells were exposed to different concentrations of lys@IONPs and the growth of cells was evaluated by OD600 and biofilm formation was analyzed using crystal violet staining throughout 12 days. It was revealed that low concentration of nanoparticles (< 400 µg/mL) can promote cell growth and biofilm formation. However, higher concentrations have an adverse effect on microalgal communities. It is interesting that microalgal growth and biofilm are concentration- and exposure time-dependent to lys@IONPs. Over long period (~ 12 days) exposure to high concentrations of nanoparticles, cells can adapt with the condition, so growth was raised and biofilm started to develop. Results of the present study could be considered in ecological issues and also bioprocesses using microalgal cells.

Application of iron-based magnetic nanoparticles stabilized with triethanolammonium oleate for theranostics

The novel iron-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized with triethanolammonium oleate were produced. The specimens were divided into two groups: the top NPs (extracted from the supernatant) and the bottom NPs (nanoparticles sedimented at the bottom of the flask during centrifugation), respectively. The XRD and Mössbauer studies revealed a presence of the Fe3O4 phase in both types of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the formation of maghemite layer on the surface of nanoparticles was observed. Average particle sizes determined from TEM and XRD studies were lower than the superparamagnetic limit for the magnetite NPs. For glycerol dispersions of both types of NPs, when exposed to 100 kHz external magnetic field, a significant heat release was observed. Furthermore, the contrasts of T1- and T2-weighted MR images were significantly dependent on the concentration of NPs in their water solutions. Additionally, the reductions of the relaxation times were different for the top and the bottom NPs. The viability studies of the colon cancer cells have shown low cytotoxicity of both types of NPs due to their coating with triethanolammonium oleate, which confirm the possibility to apply the NPs for MRI-guided hyperthermia. Moreover, the presence of NPs did not cause greatest increase of the number of apoptotic cells in the human dermal fibroblasts’ culture and has stimulated proliferation of those cells, revealing great potential of the NPs in regenerative medicine.Graphical abstract

Degradation of norfloxacin by MOF-derived lamellar carbon nanocomposites based on microwave-driven Fenton reaction: Improved Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle

In this paper, a new type of iron-based magnetic nanoparticle material embedding mesoporous carbon (Fe@C700) was prepared by simple pyrolysis of a MIL-101-Fe precursor and employed in the microwave-catalyzed degradation of norfloxacin (NOR) with the presence of H2O2. Characterization results showed successful anchoring of Fe0 nanoparticles in the carbon matrix. Under optimal treatment conditions (Calcination temperature = 700 °C, H2O2 dosage = 40 mM, MW power = 500 W, NOR dosage = 50 mg L−1 and initial pH = 4), the degradation efficiency of NOR reached 95.22%. The catalyst showed exceptional degradation properties over a relatively wide pH range. The mesoporous carbon in the catalyst promoted electron transfer, enhanced the Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle, increased contact between Fe0 and Fe2+ with H2O2, and accelerated the production of ·OH. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to predict the fragile active sites in NOR and to analyze the degradation pathway of NOR in combination with intermediates. Fe@C700 retained good activity after 5 cycles. Reduced toxicity of intermediates predicted by T.E.S.T. compared to NOR. This study presented a new avenue for the rational design of Fe0-carbon composites as microwave-assisted Fenton-like catalysts for potential applications in wastewater treatment.

Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, with an estimated 12% of women in the United States affected during their lifetime. Researchers have demonstrated that early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are pivotal to increasing survival. The advent of nanotechnology has yielded several novel advances and available modern methods within the clinic to detect and treat breast cancer. Inorganic nanoparticles are broadly utilized for cancer diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Interestingly, these nanoparticles can also be attached to tumor‐specific ligands and used to deliver chemotherapeutic or hormonal agents with high levels of tumor selectivity. Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, which have attracted much attention to detect and treat breast cancers, owing to their superparamagnetic characteristics. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing iron‐based magnetic nanoparticles are promising approaches for the radiological detection of breast cancer. Here, we discuss the roles and recent applications of iron oxide nanoparticles in diagnosing and treating breast cancer.