Nano-based Materials Research Articles

Zirconia based hydrophobic coatings exhibiting excellent durability for versatile use

Understanding how to manage the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of a surface has been the focus of a lot of research in recent years. The surface's energy often controls its hydrophobic state. There are numerous techniques to realize a change in the surface energy. Smart nano-based materials are being used to create super hydrophobic coatings that will serve as layers of defence against mechanical abrasion, corrosion, and fouling agents on the surface of metallic components. These coatings, which have recently gained popularity, have shown to be excellent choices for protecting steel pipelines. The recently created super hydrophobic coatings for glass surfaces, papers, cotton, steel pipes, etc., are examined in-depth and critically in this review study, emphasizing their use in different industries. It explains how to create super hydrophobic coatings on glass substrates using various techniques and the most recent research results on various coating production techniques. An in-depth discussion is also given to the recent applications of these created super hydrophobic coatings for treatments, including anti-bio fouling, dicing, and corrosion prevention over the past five years. According to the literature, spraying is the most adaptable and popular technique for creating super hydrophobic coatings for any substrate.

Toxic Effects of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract Aim: Exploitation of nano-based materials has increased the disposal of nanoparticles into the environment. Toxic nanomaterials pose their adverse effects and severely impact the human and environmental health. The aim of this study was to explore the toxic effects of chemically-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on Chlorella vulgaris using an algal growth inhibition assay. Materials and Methods: Nanoparticles were synthesized using cupric sulfate and sodium hydroxide. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy. C. vulgaris culture was exposed to various concentrations of CuO-NPs at intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Growth inhibition assay of algal culture was estimated via the spectroscopic method and cell enumeration was done by Neubauer hemocytometry. Results: The average diameter of CuO-NPs was ~35.85 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to confirm the configuration of CuO-NPs. Therefore, FTIR results has indicated high purity of synthesized CuO-NPs. Size of the CuO-NPs was determined by XRD. Results showed that growth of C. vulgaris microalgae was notably affected by the exposure of 2 mg/L CuO-NPs concentration exposure for 6 h. Conclusion: The current work showed that CuO-NPs have significant toxic to Chlorella sp. Data analysis showed NPs have broad effects on growth of C. vulgaris and there is a correlation between nanoparticles concentration as well as their toxicity on the microalgae.

Application of Microorganisms as Biofactories to Produce Biogenic Nanoparticles for Environmental Cleanup: Currents Advances and Challenges

Abstract: Recently, there has been a significant increase in the rate and amount of pollutant discharge into the environment. This is extremely worrisome to the human population, especially as it is envisaged to reach 10 billion in the next 40 years. The traditional methods applied for pollutant abatement and recycling exhibit inefficiency and environmental unfriendliness because they cannot effectively transform these pollutants into non-noxious states. Recently, microorganisms and nano-based materials are emerging as highly efficient and eco-friendly alternatives for managing, reducing, and decontaminating pollutant wastes or effluents in the environment. The biosynthesis of these materials has motivated research into developing cheaper, green, and more sustainable yeast, algae, fungi, and bacteria-biogenic nanoparticles, which could be used to clean up heavily contaminated environments. This review evaluates the application of microorganisms (yeast, algae, fungi, and bacteria) with nanomaterials as biogenic nanoparticles to clean up environmental pollutants. The environmental and health hazards associated with the fate of the biogenic nanoparticles, and some legal regulations, are also highlighted. The commercialization of nanomaterials and their possible global application are also documented. Future recommendations were proffered.

Nano-mediated strategy for targeting and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 2.1 million cases diagnosed annually worldwide. It has a high incidence and mortality rate, leading to extensive research into various treatment options, including the use of nanomaterial-based carriers for drug delivery. With regard to cancer treatment, the distinct biological and physico-chemical features of nano-structures have acquired considerable impetus as drug delivery system (DDS) for delivering medication combinations or combining diagnostics and targeted therapy. This review focuses on the use of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer, including the use of lipid, polymer, and carbon-based nanomaterials for traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy. The review also discusses the potential of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for drug delivery in lung cancer, and the limitations and opportunities for improving the design of nano-based materials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Nano-technological interventions in crop production-a review.

Agricultural industry is facing huge crisis due to fast changing climate, decreased soil fertility, macro and micronutrient insufficiency, misuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metal presence in soil. With exponential increase in world's population, food consumption has increased significantly. Maintaining the production to consumption ratio is a significant challenge due to shortage caused by various issues faced by agricultural industry even withthe improved agricultural practices. Recent scientific evidence suggests that nanotechnology can positively impact the agriculture sector by reducing the harmful effects of farming operations on human health and nature, as well as improving food productivity and security. Farmers are combining improved agricultural practices like usage of fertilizers, pesticides etc. with nano-based materials to improve the efficiency and productivity of crops. Nano technology is also playing a significant role improving animal health products, food packaging materials, and nanosensors for detecting pathogens, toxins, and heavy metals in soil among others. The nanobased materials have improved the productivity twice with half the resources being utilized. Nanoparticles that are currently in use include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, gold, and silver used for increasing soil fertility and plant growth. Crop growth, yield, and productivity are improved by controlled release nanofertilizers. In this review we elaborate on the recent developments in the agricultural sector by the usage of nanomaterial based composites which has significantly improved the agricultural sector especially how nanoparticles play an important role in plant growth and soil fertility, in controlling plant diseases by the use of nanopesticides, nanoinsecticides, nanofertilizers, Nanoherbicides, nanobionics, nanobiosensors. The review also highlights the mechanism of migration of nanoparticles in plants and most importantly the effects of nanoparticles in causing plant and soil toxicity.

WATER RECLAMATION THROUGH NANOREMEDIATION & BIOREMEDIATION: A WEAL AGAINST CONVENTIONAL CHEMICAL TECHNIQUES

Worldwide unprecedented challenge has been posed due to socio- economical-demographic and environmental transitions. These threats mainly sprout from rapid pace in modernization and advancement of technologies for economic escalation and raising live standards. These however is a bane since over the years there are instances of loss of considerable biodiversity, risks in public health, aggravation of already existing health issues, decline of soil salinity and to add to the plight there is water scarcity that mainly had resulted due to imbalance in the potable water available and its demand. Climate change, indiscriminate efflux of contaminants encompassing household to industrial waste water has profound effects on the standards of water quality. To cope with this situation there should be judicious planning leading to recycling the waste water in a more convenient way over prevalent robust technologies. The focus lies on the participation of nano-based materials that have been revered highly for their large surface to volume ratio and are efficient candidates for solid waste recovery. Nanomaterials both metallic non-metallic and polymeric materials have been the subject of interest for their diligent participation as catalyst, nano sorbents. Besides the participation of natural materials and benevolent biological components in bioremediation of waste water has been discussed herein.

Advancements & challenges of nanotechnology in waste water treatment

Recycling wastewater is a legitimate need, even as drinking water, but conventional wastewater handling/treatment technologies are insufficient to produce safe water as per the need, health concerns, and rising contaminants. Recent advancements in nanotechnology claim the possibilities of novel nanomaterials for the purification of surface, ground, and wastewater affected by toxic metallic ions, organic and inorganic solutes, and microorganisms. Various studies have clearly described that those nanomaterials can successfully remove multiple pollutants in water and thus have been suitable for water and wastewater treatment. This review article emphasizes the broad spectrum of the latest innovations in nanotechnologies for water and wastewater treatment and recognizes benefits, risks, challenges, and prospects. This assessment of current advancements in nanotechnologies for water contamination remediation also covers nano-based materials such as nano-adsorbents, photocatalysts, nano-metals, and nanomembranes.

DFT calculations of plutonium-doped conical nanocarbons: Exploring structural and electronic features

By the importance of performing investigations on developing characteristic features of nano-based materials for assigning their further applications, this work was done to recognize such features for plutonium (Pu)-doped conical nanocarbons materials. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for providing information of this work. Three models of conical nanocarbons with disclination angles of 120, 180, and 240 degrees were investigated, in which the Pu atom was doped at the apex of conical structure yielding the models of PuNC120, PuNC180, and PuNC240. Accordingly, formations of four, three, and two PU–C chemical bonds were examined by considering such models systems. The results indicated the PuNC120 with four Pu–C bonds was the distinguished model of this work showing remarkable electronic and conductivity features. As a consequence, the models systems were recognized based on the structural and electronic features to be designated for further applications.

Nanomaterials to combat SARS-CoV-2: Strategies to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which severely affect the respiratory system and several organs and tissues, and may lead to death, have shown how science can respond when challenged by a global emergency, offering as a response a myriad of rapid technological developments. Development of vaccines at lightning speed is one of them. SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have stressed healthcare systems, questioning patients care by using standard non-adapted therapies and diagnostic tools. In this scenario, nanotechnology has offered new tools, techniques and opportunities for prevention, for rapid, accurate and sensitive diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. In this review, we focus on the nanotechnological applications and nano-based materials (i.e., personal protective equipment) to combat SARS-CoV-2 transmission, infection, organ damage and for the development of new tools for virosurveillance, diagnose and immune protection by mRNA and other nano-based vaccines. All the nano-based developed tools have allowed a historical, unprecedented, real time epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, at community and international levels. The nano-based technology has help to predict and detect how this Sarbecovirus is mutating and the severity of the associated COVID-19 disease, thereby assisting the administration and public health services to make decisions and measures for preparedness against the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and severe or lethal COVID-19.

Anti-plasmodial effects of quinine-loaded magnetic nanocomposite coated with heparin

The application of nano-based materials in intelligent, innovative drug delivery systems (SDDS) is developing rapidly to treat infectious diseases like malaria. In the present study, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanocomposite coated with heparin (Hep) was designed to deliver quinine (Q) for anti-plasmodial purposes. The MTT assay, Artemia salina lethality, and hemolysis test were adopted to evaluate the nanocomposite's cytotoxicity, biotoxicity, and biocompatibility. The cumulative drug release profile revealed that this Q-loaded nanocomposite could accelerate the release of its payload in an acidic condition (pH 5.4), which mimics the digestive vacuole (DV) of the parasite. The in vivo anti-plasmodial activity indicated that the Q-loaded nanocomposite exhibited great anti-plasmodial activity than free quinine. The experimental results showed that the presence of heparin on the surface of the nanocomposite could significantly reduce cytotoxicity, biotoxicity, and acute toxicity. Besides, SEM, TEM, and HRTEM images indicated that nonstabilized Fe3O4 particles have significant aggregation, but the presence of heparin can play a role as a stabilizing agent. These biocompatible, nontoxic nanocomposites offer great potential for anti-plasmodial drug delivery.

Advances in nano-based materials for glioblastoma multiforme diagnosis: A mini-review

The development of nano-based materials for diagnosis enables a more precise prognosis and results. Inorganic, organic, or hybrid nanoparticles using nanomaterials, such as quantum dots, extracellular vesicle systems, and others, with different molecular compositions, have been extensively explored as a better strategy to overcome the blood-brain barrier and target brain tissue and tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system, with a short, established prognosis. The delay in early detection is considered a key challenge in designing a precise and efficient treatment with the most encouraging prognosis. Therefore, the present mini-review focuses on discussing distinct strategies presented recently in the literature regarding nanostructures’ use, design, and application for GBM diagnosis.

Biodegradation of environmental pollutants using catalase-based biocatalytic systems

The synergistic combination of biocatalysts and nanomaterials provides a new interface of a robust biocatalytic system that can effectively remediate environmental pollutants. Enzymes, such as catalase-based constructs, impart the desired candidature for catalytic transformation processes and are potential alternatives to replace conventional remediation strategies that have become laborious and somewhat inefficient. Furthermore, the controlled or uncontrolled discharge of various emerging pollutants (EPs) into water bodies is equally proportional to the fast-growing population and extensive urbanization. EPs affect the entire living being and continuously deteriorate the environmental system, directly or indirectly. The occurrence of EPs (even released after partial treatments, but still in bioactive forms) disturbs ecological integrity. Due to the ineffectiveness of in-practice traditional remediation processes, new and robust treatment measures as effective and sustainable remediation have become a meaningful goal. In this context, special attention has been shifted to engineering an enzyme (catalase)-based biodegradation system with immense prospects in environmental cleanup. The unique synergistic combination of nanomaterials (having multifunctional attributes) with enzymes of interest makes them a state-of-the-art interface that can further ameliorate bio-catalysis and biodegradation performance. This review covers current research and scientific advancement in developing and deploying catalase-based biocatalytic systems to mitigate several EPs from the environment matrices. The biocatalytic features of catalase, along with the mechanistic insight into H2O2 neutralization, several nano-based materials loaded with catalase, including nanoparticles (NPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), polymeric-based composites, oxime-functionalized cryo-gel disks, electro-spun nanofibrous membranes, and other hybrid materials have also been discussed with suitable examples.

Short review on environment and health effect of nanotoxicology

Nanotechnology is a brand-new area of scientific research that has revolutionized the manufacturing sector. The emphasis of this revolution was on the large-scale development of nano-based materials. Materials confinement in small structures, quantum mechanics, the high surface volumes ratio or other unusual properties, phenomena, and processes dominate nanoparticle behavior use of the nanomaterial containing items on the rise, posing a threat to the environment and human health. For the sake of human health and protection in the community, it's important to understand the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials or nano-based products. Nanotoxicology aims to identify potential toxins' toxicological practices in nanomaterials and these products to assess how these materials endanger human health. In this sense, nanoparticles and their fate in the atmosphere have been examined concerning air, water, and soil. Nanomaterials' health effects, such as their impact on various organ systems, have also been mentioned.

Effects of nanomaterials on mechanical properties, durability characteristics and microstructural features of alkali-activated binders: A comprehensive review

The incorporation of nanomaterials in the concrete industry has recently received attention to enhance the concrete mechanical and durability properties. Besides, alkali-activated binders have become a viable option to replace conventional Portland cement- binders due to their superior mechanical properties and environmental advantages. This review paper summarizes the published work within the period 2010 to 2021 on the effect of the incorporation of selected nanomaterials in alkali-activated binders. A comprehensive review covers four nanomaterials (i) nano-silica, (ii) nano alumina (iii) Nano titanium dioxide, and (iv) carbon nanotubes. It was found that the incorporation of such nanomaterials led to promote of geopolymerization reactions, densifying the microstructure and thus enhancing the mechanical properties. The inclusion of nano-silica up to 3 wt% significantly enhances the rate of geopolymerization reaction. The addition of 2% of nano-alumina was found to reduce the porosity with a minor effect on geopolymerization. Incorporation of nano-TiO2 up to 5% and Carbon nanotubes up to 0.1% enhances geopolymerization by offering additional nucleation sites. Furthermore, the addition of nanomaterials was found to significantly enhance the durability of geopolymers against severe chemical conditions. The potential health issues related to the use of nano-based materials have been discussed along with the cost-efficiency. At the end of this review, the future trend, potential, and implication of nanomaterials alkali-activated based materials were discussed.

Current Developments in the Effective Removal of Environmental Pollutants through Photocatalytic Degradation Using Nanomaterials

Photocatalysis plays a prominent role in the protection of the environment from recalcitrant pollutants by reducing hazardous wastes. Among the different methods of choice, photocatalysis mediated through nanomaterials is the most widely used and economical method for removing pollutants from wastewater. Recently, worldwide researchers focused their research on eco-friendly and sustainable environmental aspects. Wastewater contamination is one of the major threats coming from industrial processes, compared to other environmental issues. Much research is concerned with the advanced development of technology for treating wastewater discharged from various industries. Water treatment using photocatalysis is prominent because of its degradation capacity to convert pollutants into non-toxic biodegradable products. Photocatalysts are cheap, and are now emerging slowly in the research field. This review paper elaborates in detail on the metal oxides used as a nano photocatalysts in the various type of pollutant degradation. The progress of research into metal oxide nanoparticles, and their application as photocatalysts in organic pollutant degradation, were highlighted. As a final consideration, the challenges and future perspectives of photocatalysts were analyzed. The application of nano-based materials can be a new horizon in the use of photocatalysts in the near future for organic pollutant degradation.

Nanotechnology and Treatment of Covid-19

Nanotechnology has indeed fulfill many roles in many fields in contemporary science, such as electronic and IT applications, medical and health care applications, including COVID-19, Energy applications, environmental remediation, nanocomposites, herbal nano-particles. Research in this field needs to further proliferate, because of the novel properties of nano-based materials. Nanotechnology, will continue to solve many technologically driven process in contemporary science. It remains the vision of contemporary nanotechnologist to proliferate this research to other dimensions such as finding a cure for COVID-19. Nanotechnology/nanoparticles is the way forward to neutralize and eradicate SARS-COV-2 virus. Nanoparticles are of the same dimension as the SARS-COV-2 virus and thus this will promote effective interaction with the virus. Research in this area is continually increasing. In addition, a relatively large number of nanomolecules can be in effective contact with the virus of nanodimensions. Of greater significance, the use of plant extracts in synthesis of plant based nanoparticles to eradicate the viruses because of their easier synthesis, environmentally friendly nature and superior nature, as selective plants possess antiviral activities on their own.

Nanotechnology: Applications in Treatment of Industrial Wastewaters: A Review

Water pollution and freshwater contaminations is one of the global problems that directly affect lives of organism which directly rely on water for their livelihood (man, organisms, plants). To alleviate these challenges, various treatment methods such as membrane filtration, ion exchange, coagulation as well as adsorption have been adopted to reduce wastewater generated and improve qualities of effluent discharged from industries to meet specified minimum permissible limits. Among all, Adsorption is considered to be more efficient in terms of cost, ease of handling and re-use for water treatment. Furthermore, adsorption technology exhibits excellent removal efficiency using adsorbent prepared from raw or waste materials or nanoparticles synthesized from wastes. Nano-materials exhibit outstanding properties such as small particle size, catalytic potential, large surface area and great number of active sites, hence allowing high removal efficiency. The nano-material in this context referred to as “new generation nano-adsorbent” is capable of removing pollutants even at low concentration. Numerous pathways of synthesizing nanoparticles fall under two approaches namely: bottom-up and top-down approach. Different materials have been adopted for bulk and nano based adsorbent with their efficiency varying for different waste water sources, nature of the adsorbents, adsorbent dosage and experimental conditions. This investigation will review advancement of waste water treatment using waste and nano-based materials as an adsorbent from 2015 till 2021.

Efficacious nanomedicine track toward combating COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19 outbreak has become one of the catastrophic health emergencies that could threaten public health worldwide through several hospitalizations and thousands of deaths, leading to boosting global concern intensive precautionary measurements. The clinical and research trials are ongoing for developing several diagnostic tools, antiviral therapeutics, and vaccines versus COVID-19 infectiousness. This review argues the recent nanomedical progress and efficient nanomedicine applications and highlights relevant challenges and considerations of nano-based materials for combating COVID-19 infectiousness and severity. Eventually, we also provide futuristic avenues and perspectives paving the way to explore outstanding solutions for SARS-CoV-2 control and eradication.

Antiviral activity of chitosan nanoparticles for controlling plant-infecting viruses

Chitosan nanoparticles (ChiNPs) are a potentially effective means for controlling numerous plant diseases. This study firstly describes the antiviral capabilities of ChiNPs to control plant viral diseases compared to its bulk form. Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) was used as a model plant virus affecting faba bean plants and many other legumes. The antiviral effectiveness of ChiNPs and chitosan were evaluated as a curative application method, using six dosage rates (50, 100, 200, 250, 300 and 400 mg/L). Results indicated that ChiNPs curatively applied 48 h post virus inoculation entirely inhibit the disease infectivity and viral accumulation content at 300 mg/L and 400 mg/L. The virus titre was greatly alleviated within the plant tissues by 7.71% up to100% depending on ChiNP dosage rates. However, chitosan used in its bulk-based material form revealed a relatively low to an intermediate reduction in virus infectivity by 6.67% up to 48.86%. Interestingly, ChiNPs affect the virus particle’s integrity by producing defective and incomplete BYMV viral particles, defeating their replication and accumulation content within the plant tissues. Simultaneously, ChiNP applications were appreciably shown to promote the pathogenesis-related (PR-1) gene and other defence-related factors. The mRNA of the PR-1 gene was markedly accumulated in treated plants, reaching its maximum at 400 mg/L with 16.22-fold relative expression change over the untreated control. Further, the total phenol dynamic curve was remarkably promoted for 30 days in response to ChiNP application, as compared to the untreated control. Our results provide the first report that chitosan-based nanomaterials have a superior effect in controlling plant viruses as an antiviral curing agent, suggesting that they may feasibly be involved in viral disease management strategies under field conditions without serious health concerns and environmental costs.Significance: Our findings show that chitosan nanoparticles have a powerful curing antiviral activity against BYMV disease. These findings open the door for the use of eco-friendly nano-based tools in controlling numerous plant viruses. The use of eco-friendly nano-based materials could result in a successful integrative control strategy for plant viruses under field conditions, negating the need for the conventional measure used to control most of the insect-transmitted plant viruses, that is insecticide application against vector insects.

Regulation of photo triggered cytotoxicity in electrospun nanomaterials: role of photosensitizer binding mode and polymer identity.

Although electrospun nanomaterials containing photoactive dyes currently compete with the present state of art antimicrobial materials, relatively few structure–activity relationships have been established to identify the role of carrier polymer and photosensitizer binding mode on the performance of the materials. In this study scaffolds composed of poly(vinyl alcohol), polyacrylonitrile, poly(caprolactone), and tailor-made phthalocyanine-based photosensitizers are developed utilizing electrospinning as a simple, time and cost-effective method. The photoinduced activity of nanofibrous materials was characterized in vitro against E. coli and B. subtilis as models for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria respectively, as well as against bacteriophages phi6 and MS2 as models for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses respectively. For the first time, we show how polymer-specific properties affect antifouling and antimicrobial activity of the nanofibrous material, indicating that the most promising way to increase efficiency is likely via methods that focus on increasing the number of short, but strong and reversible bacteria–surface interactions.