Carbon Black Research Articles

Facile synthesis of stable and fluorescent carbon nanoparticles from brewery bagasse for value-added applications

Facile synthesis of stable and fluorescent carbon nanoparticles from brewery bagasse for value-added applications

Study and Modeling of Thermal Stretching of Polypropylene Composite Monofilament Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles

Study and Modeling of Thermal Stretching of Polypropylene Composite Monofilament Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles

The Effect of Particle Size of Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) on the Properties of Epoxy Conductive Material

This research investigates the effect of different particle sizes of recovered carbon black (rCB) on the electrical conductivity, flexural and fractured toughness properties and morphology of epoxy/rCB conductive composites. The rCB powder was a product from the pyrolysis process of waste rubber tires. This research aims for the application of tray production in semiconductor packaging. In this study, the composite was prepared by using a simple mechanical stirring method. The testing and characterizations carried out included electrical conductivity test, flexural test, fracture toughness test, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and viscosity. The epoxy/rCB conductive composite shows significant differences in electrical conductivity and mechanical properties when incorporated with different particle sizes of rCB. The conductivity percolation threshold was found at 1000 mesh with enhanced mechanical and electrical conductivity properties simultaneously.

A bio-nano-engineered platform fabricated from cerium oxide-carbon nanoparticles stabilized with chitosan for label-free sensing of a lung cancer biomarker.

Herein, we report a label-free cancer biosensor designed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection using a nanohybrid comprising CeO2 nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and chitosan (Ch). CeO2 nanoparticles were prepared using a simple green synthesis process. A thin film of the CeO2-CNPs-Ch nanohybrid was formed on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plates that endowed a high surface area, excellent stability, and good adsorption for the efficient loading of CEA antibodies. Quantitative and selective determination of CEA antigen was achieved by immobilizing monoclonal CEA antibodies (anti-CEA) on the CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO platform. The electrochemical response of the anti-CEA/CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO immunoelectrode was evaluated in a label-free immunoassay format using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The response studies of immunoelectrodes indicated wider linearity with respect to the CEA concentration in the range of 0.05-100 ng mL-1. The electrochemical cancer biosensor exhibited a higher sensitivity of 22.40 μA cm-2 per decade change in concentration along with storage stability for up to 35 days. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.037 ng mL-1. Furthermore, this cancer biosensor exhibited good specificity and reproducibility. Thus, the proposed CeO2-CNPs-Ch nanocomposite-based platform provides an efficient method for the analysis of other antigen-antibody interactions and biomolecule detection. The efficacy of the anti-CEA/CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO immunoelectrode was further examined by measuring CEA levels in human serum.

Green Synthesis Techniques for Sulphur Nanoparticles: Current Methods and Future Perspectives

Abstract: In recent years, cancer has emerged as a significant public health challenge, prompting extensive research into the development of innovative anticancer therapies capable of selectively inducing cell death or halting the proliferation of cancer cells. Harnessing the distinctive characteristics of nanomaterials, advancements in nanotechnology have played a pivotal role in the progression of nanomedicine for cancer treatment. Various nanomaterials, such as gold, silver, silica, and carbon nanoparticles, have been investigated for their potential in drug delivery systems. Meanwhile, sulfur, with its abundant chemically diverse organic and inorganic compounds exhibiting a range of biological functions from antioxidant properties to antibacterial and anticancer capabilities, has garnered significant attention. Sulphur nanoparticles (SNPs) find widespread application in diverse fields such as lithium sulfur batteries, sulphur-based photocatalysts, and antimicrobial agents. Despite their extensive utilization in non-biomedical domains, such as drug delivery and cancer prevention strategies, SNPs face challenges when employed for biomedical purposes. Concerns include toxicity, limited reactivity, and the substantial particle size of SNPs, which hinder their effectiveness as drug delivery carriers. To overcome these obstacles, surface modifications of SNPs are necessary to enhance their biomedical applicability.

Preserving circumflex iliac lymph nodes to reduce the incidence of lower limb lymphedema following lymphadenectomy in cervical and endometrial cancers: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is a common postoperative complication following lymphadenectomy in cervical and endometrial cancers. Removal of the circumflex iliac nodes distal to the external iliac node (CINDEIN) is associated with LLL. Here, we sought to evaluate whether preserving the CINDEIN is helpful in reducing the incidence of LLL in women with cervical and endometrial cancers and to evaluate the safety of preserving CINDEIN. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, patients with clinical stage I A2 to II A cervical cancer and stage I to III endometrial carcinoma undergoing surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to undergo pelvic lymphadenectomy with CINDEIN removal or preservation. The primary endpoint was the incidence of LLL at 24 months post-surgery. Eligible patients underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping with carbon nanoparticles (CNP). The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number ChiCTR2300071911. Between Jun 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2018, 328 participants were randomly assigned to the two groups. Thirteen patients were excluded from the lymphedema analysis. A total of 158 patients in the CINDEIN preservation group and 157 in the CINDEIN removal group completed the follow-up examination. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The 3-year overall survival rate was 96.9% in the preservation group and 95.7% in the resection group. For cervical cancer and endometrial carcinoma, the incidence of LLL were significantly lower in the preservation group than in the removal group both at 24 months. No differences in the occurrence time of LLL were observed between the two groups. The LLL stages also showed no significant difference between the two groups. In the removal group, no CINDEIN metastases were identified in any patient. A total of 125 evaluable patients received the injection of CNP. None of the patients had CINDEIN detected as SLNs. CINDEIN removal is an important risk factor for LLL following lymphadenectomy in cervical and endometrial cancers. The metastasis rate of CINDEIN in cervical cancer and early endometrial cancer is relatively low, and preserving CINDEIN might be safe and helpful in reducing the occurrence of LLL.

Improving fracture toughness and densification behavior of single‐phase TaC–HfC ceramic with carbon additives

AbstractThis investigation was undertaken to determine the role of carbon additives on the densification behavior and fracture toughness of TaC–HfC ceramic. The composition of TaC‐19 vol% HfC‐5 vol% VC with 10 vol% nano graphite/10 vol% nano carbon black was sintered by hot‐pressing (HP) method. Also, the sintering temperature varied from 1700°C to 2000°C. Vanadium carbide was used as a sintering aid to minimize the porosity for the given hot‐pressing temperatures while keeping the consolidation temperature low. The analysis of XRD patterns revealed that the sintering process led to the formation of a ternary solid solution in the samples accompanied by the entire consumption of HfC and VC phases. Also, the presence of carbon additives increased the relative density from 96% to 100% by enhancing the sintering temperature from 1700°C to 2000°C. It was significantly higher than the carbon‐free sample, which had a maximum value of 96.7% at 2000°C. The results also indicated that the maximum fracture toughness of 7.1 MPa.m1/2 was obtained for nano carbon black contained samples at the sintering temperature of 1900°C and above. The toughening mechanisms in samples were discussed, too.

From a sustainable natural rubber sponge to an activation-free sulfur-rich biocarbon sponge as a potential electrode material for a supercapacitor

A natural rubber sponge (NRP) was prepared by varying the carbon black, blowing agent, and sulfur contents and subsequently used as a precursor for biocarbon sponge (BC) production. The experiments and the machine learning approach used an adaptive multi-input, fuzzy-rules, emulated network (MiRREN) to optimize the NRP formulation to achieve the best BC properties. Based on the results, adding carbon black stabilized the shape of the BC samples after carbonization. The BC samples had an interconnected pore structure and oxygen and sulfur functionalities. The standard isotherm of the sample without carbon black was type IV, which was transformed to type II after adding carbon black, with a wide range in the pore size distribution. The addition of carbon black improved the electrical conductivity from 1.13 S cm−1 to a maximum value of 12.78 S cm−1. At 0.25 A/g, the samples’ specific capacitance was enhanced to 152.7 and 137.9F/g using certain conditions with carbon black. The sample with 50, 6, and 20 phr of carbon black, blowing agent, and sulfur contents, respectively, had the best cyclic performance (113.7 %) at 10,000 cycles of testing, verifying the excellent cyclic durability due to the surface functionalities and the addition of the carbon black, as well as the developed interconnected pore structure. Based on the results of the machine learning study, the pore volume and specific capacitance were likely correlated with the blowing agent content rather than the sulfur content. The optimum formulation of NRP for achieving the best specific capacitance levels at all the applied current densities was 7.02 phr of blowing agent and 20.2 phr of sulfur content.

3D hydrogel-based salt resistant self-floating solar-driven interfacial evaporator with efficient water-lifting capacity for desalination

Solar desalination has been extensively researched as a promising way to address freshwater shortages. However, developing a salt resistant solar evaporator that can be easily extended and manufactured is still a challenge in practical applications. In this work, a 3D hydrogel-based salt resistant self-floating solar-driven interfacial evaporator with efficient water-lifting capacity was proposed using the prepared hydrogel with carbon black (CB) nanoparticles and extruded polystyrene (XPS) board as raw materials. The experimental results implied that the developed evaporator had the highest evaporation rate and evaporation efficiency at 0.05 g CB loading, which were 1.70 kg m-2h−1 and 92.8 % at a light intensity of 1 kW/m−2(−|-). Moreover, the evaporator also displayed prominent salt resistance in the evaporation of brine with high salinity and outstanding stability after 10 cycles. Significantly, the outdoor experiment demonstrated that 1 m2 evaporator can generate 5923.5 g freshwater per day, which was enough to meet the daily requirement of two adults for drinking water. In addition, the physical fields of the hydrogel with CB nanoparticles of the evaporator at evaporation equilibrium were simulated to analyze its long-term and high-performance operation capability. All in all, the 3D hydrogel-based salt resistant self-floating solar-driven interfacial evaporator with efficient water-lifting capacity presented an enormous application prospect in the field of solar desalination.

Corrosion of nickel foam electrodes during hydrothermal reactions: The influence of a simple protective carbon black coating

Nickel foam (NF) substrates are widely used to support electrocatalysts, and this is frequently achieved using hydrothermal reactions, where the NF is immersed in the hydrothermal reactor together with the electrocatalyst precursors. However, other reactions including the corrosion of the NF and changes to the pH occur simultaneously, and these can affect the quality of the final electrocatalyst. Herein, a simple approach is devised to minimise these unwanted reactions. Carbon black (CB) was non-covalently functionalised at room temperature using tannic acid to give very stable and good dispersions of fCB in deionised water. Using a simple sonication step, the NF was coated with a uniform layer of the dispersed fCB. This layer served to minimise the corrosion of the underlying NF during the hydrothermal reactions with very good protection observed up to a temperature of 160 °C in deionised water at a pH of 2.0. The corrosion currents of the NF and fCB@NF were estimated at 8.7 µA and 3.9 µA, respectively, at room temperature in this acidic solution. Using a model reaction, the successful nucleation and growth of MnCo2O4 cubes was observed at fCB@NF, but not at the corroding NF.

Hybrid organic - inorganic filter system for cadmium ions adsorption from aqueous solutions

The study reflects on the problem of heavy metals, namely cadmium, polluting the natural environment. The goal was to select the most efficient adsorber enabling ion exchange between calcium and cadmium in an aqueous environment and subsequently design a material hybrid organic-inorganic, particle-fiber system that adsorbs cadmium from aqueous environments and will be easily included in the technological process. The novelty of this study lies in the use of waste food material – eggshells as a source of biogenic nanoparticles. These are applied to a nanofibrous structure made of polyvinyl butyral in amounts of 8 to 10 %wt by weight by the AC electrospinning. (The experiment was performed with these boundary conditions: temperature was 23°C, and humidity was 42%. The high-electrical voltage amplifier generated a sinusoidal waveform with a frequency of 50 Hz and an amplitude of 32 kV) and were used for ion exchange. In ion exchange, cadmium ions are exchanged with calcium ions based on the principle of chemical similarity of the two elements expressed by the z/r ratio (charge/ radius ratio), the z/r ratio is 2.02 for calcium ions Ca2+ and 2.06 for cadmium Cd2. Separateted nanoparticles of calcium carbonate obtained by burning eggshells (727°C) with dimensions from 100 to 200 nm and a specific surface area of 3.9 m2/g showed the highest adsorption capacity of 99.8%, synthetic calcium carbonate at 71.8%, and ground eggshells the lowest at 25.0%. Designed and laboratory-tested filter system of nanoparticles - nanofibers captures 95.6% and 96.8% of cadmium ions from an aqueous solution within 10 minutes and 90 minutes, respectively, at a concentration of cadmium ions of 10 mg/l, and at several nanoparticles of 0.3 g. The ion exchange is carried out only on the filter surface, and after a specific time, the calcium carbonate nanoparticles are released from the filter probably due to absence of chemical bond between nanoparticles and nanostructures or the low density of the nanofibrous structure. SEM, EDX, FTIR, BET and TGA analysis were used for material evaluation. The adsorption capacity of used nanoparticles and filter adsorbers was evaluated according to residual amounts of cadmium ions in aqueous solutions using ICP-IOS.

Synthesis and characterization of biopolymer-based copper carbonate nanoparticles

The aim of this work was to select a biopolymer (chitosan, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and hyaluronic acid) as stabilizing agent for copper carbonate nanoparticles (CC-NPs). It was found that the optimal precursor is Cu(CH3COO)2, and the optimal precipitator is (NH4)2CO3. According to XRD data, the optimal sample has the chemical formula Cu2(OH)2CO3. SEM showed that CC-NPs consist of spherical aggregates with diameter of 0.6–1.0 µm formed by particles of 30–80 nm. The optimization of the synthesis revealed that molar ratio Cu(CH3COO)2: (NH4)2CO3 of 1:1 is optimal for the production of CC-NPs. SEM micrographs revealed formation of CC-NPs with size of 30–100 nm at stabilization with hyaluronic acid, 45–90 nm at methyl cellulose, 50–150 nm at hydroxyethyl cellulose and 30–85 nm at chitosan. Quantum chemical modeling and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the possibility of forming scaffold matrices of biopolymer-based CC-NPs. Among considered biopolymers, chitosan was set as the optimal stabilizing agent for CC-NPs. Which provided formation of the smallest particles with size of 30–85 nm. In future works, CC-NPs-chitosan complex can be studied as a scaffold for multifaceted applications in medicine, catalysis, coatings, pigments etc

Self-Sustained H2O2 and O2 Generation by Calcium Carbonate/Zinc Peroxide Nanocomposite, Enhancing Osteosarcoma Cell Differentiation and Antibacterial Activity

Calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3 NPs) show promising osteogenic potential due to their ability to release calcium ions and modulate pH. However, their limited bioactivity, potential cytotoxicity, variable degradation rates, poor mechanical properties, and lack of inherent osteoinductivity present significant challenges. In this study, we hypothesized that decorating CaCO3 NPs with another active material, zinc peroxide (ZnO2), can address some of these challenges and enhance the effectiveness of CaCO3 NPs in the treatment of bone cancer and bone regeneration. For this purpose, CaCO3 NPs with the vaterite polymorph were synthesized and decorated with ZnO2 NPs. These nanostructures were thoroughly characterized and thin films with varying layers were fabricated. The CaCO3/ZnO2 films showed greater initial adhesion of osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2 cells) than the CaCO3 films. While CaCO3 NPs promoted cellular proliferation over time, the CaCO3/ZnO2 nanocomposites (NCs) reduced the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells and triggered apoptosis. Analyses of osteogenic markers, including alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization, and the expression of Runx-2 and osteocalcin, strongly indicated that CaCO3/ZnO2 NCs possess even greater osteogenic potential than CaCO3 NPs alone. The dual effects of CaCO3/ZnO2 on osteosarcoma cells, promoting both osteogenesis and apoptosis, may be attributed to the self-production of H2O2 and O2, along with the controlled release of calcium and zinc ions. Given their osteogenic potential and significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, CaCO3/ZnO2 NCs are promising candidates for treating bone tumors and regeneration of bone defects.

Improving mechanical performance of immiscible polypropylene/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends by adding calcium carbonate nanoparticles with bifunctions of compatibilization and β-nucleation

For crystalline/amorphous polymer blend, the final properties strongly rely on its morphology which is not only related to the compatibility of different components but also to crystallization characteristics of the crystalline component, and therefore simultaneously improving compatibility and optimizing crystalline behavior of the blends is valuable. Herein, a bifunctional calcium carbonate nanoparticle (NCN) with both compatibilization and nucleating functions was synthesized by introducing MAPP-g-PMMA grafts and calcium pimelate (CaPA) on nanoparticle surface, respectively, and its effects on immiscible crystalline polypropylene (PP)/amorphous poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (80/20, w/w) model system were investigated. It was found that the Pickering effect of nanoparticle nucleus and the amphipathy of MAPP-g-PMMA grafts endowed NCN with compatibilization function and the CaPA endowed with β-nucleating ability for PP. Only 1 wt% NCN could remarkably decrease droplets size and improve elongation at break of blends. This work paves a new avenue to design multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles and high-performance polymer alloys.

Unraveling Potential Causative Components for the Deleterious Effect of Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter on Red Blood Cells.

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses threats to the cardiovascular system. Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most abundant cells in blood, which are actively involved in multiple hematological diseases, such as blood clot formation and thrombosis. Exploring how PM2.5 with spatiotemporal heterogeneity influences the hematological system by targeting RBCs would help gain insights into the deleterious effects of PM2.5 and provide clues for finding the causative components therein. Herein, the PM2.5 samples collected from 3 urban sites in Beijing (i.e., Chaoyang, Shunyi, and Yanqing districts) during 4 seasons of 2022 were studied for their toxicities to mouse RBCs, and the main contributing components were further explored through chemical analysis and correlation measure. The results showed that exposure to PM2.5 samples decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and increased phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization of RBCs, causing cell morphological deformity. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the aromaticity of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in PM2.5 samples was positively correlated with PS exposure of RBCs, showing that the lignin-like compounds were the potential contributors. The negative correlation of zeta potentials of PM2.5 samples with PS exposure of RBCs showed the particle-derived bioactivities of this airborne pollutant. The simulative test based on artificial nanomaterials of carbon black (CB) and oxidized CB (OCB) confirmed the crucial role of particulate carbon in PM2.5-induced effects on RBCs, and soot with a certain oxidation degree was, thus, recognized as another contributor, given its ubiquitous existence in PM2.5 samples. This study, for the first time, revealed PM2.5-induced PS exposure of RBCs, and the causative components of DOM and soot were unraveled. Considering the inevitable contact of airborne PM2.5 with RBCs in the blood circulatory system, the findings obtained herein would help bridge the gap between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, like thrombogenesis.

Long-Cycling, Fast-Charging Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Nickel-Carbon Composite Nanosheet Arrays Modified Lithium Metal Anodes.

Lithium (Li) metal anode, one of the most promising candidates for next-generation rechargeable batteries, has always suffered from uneven Li deposition/stripping. To address this issue, this work designs a novel nickel-carbon composite modified Li metal anode (FNC-NF) by carbonizing fluoride nickel hydroxide nanosheet arrays grown on nickel foam (NF). These electrochemical tests present that the conductive and lithiophilic FNC can effectively restrain the growth of Li dendrites during the cycling of Li deposition/stripping at large capacities up to 10 mAh cm-2. This result is attributed to the featured FNC composition combining a core of nickel hydroxide and a mixed coating of defective carbon and Ni nanoparticles, and the unique hierarchical morphology of the FNC-NF integrating porous NF and vertically aligned FNC nanosheets. Consequently, the FNC-NF presents a stable coulombic efficiency performance after 900 cycles with an average of 99.23% for half cells, a lifespan over 3200 h for symmetric cells at 1 mA cm-2 and 1 mAh cm-2, and a remarkable cycling stability at large current densities of up to 15 mA cm-2 at 1 mAh cm-2. Moreover, the Li||FNC-NF||LiFePO4 full cells show superior capacity retention and cycling stability at 1 C.

Possibilities of using shungite as a “container” for carbon nanoparticles

Possibilities of using shungite as a “container” for carbon nanoparticles

Effect of carbon black properties on cut and chip wear of natural rubber

The effect of carbon black colloidal properties on cut and chip wear of natural rubber compounds is investigated across a wide range of applied impact normal forces using an Instrumented Cut and Chip Analyzer (ICCA). The objective of the study is to determine the basic fatigue and fracture mechanisms that drive cut and chip wear. Natural rubber compounds reinforced with eight different carbon blacks varying in structure and surface area are studied. The loading of the carbon blacks in the rubber compounds is fixed at 50 parts per hundred rubber (phr). The cut and chip performance strongly correlates to both the carbon black morphological properties and the resulting compound mechanical and fracture properties. The cut and chip performance also depends on the applied impact normal force level. At low forces, high structure carbon blacks result in compounds which are stiffer and deflect less under the applied impact normal forces and minimize cut and chip wear. At high forces, low structure carbon black compounds, which are softer and more readily able to crystallize under force-controlled deflection, minimize cut and chip wear. It is argued that at low applied impact normal forces, the cut and chip behavior is dominated by a force-controlled fatigue crack growth mechanism which transitions to a critical tearing energy dominated mechanism at high applied impact normal forces. It is therefore important to understand the severity of application to select optimum compound properties such as the carbon black type to minimize cut and chip wear in application.

Synthesis of MFI zeolites with hierarchical porosity by dry‐gel conversion

AbstractDry‐gel conversion (DGC), which directly converts zeolite gel into crystals by vapor, is considered a promising method for reducing amounts of zeolite precursors and easily controlling crystallization. Synthesis of MFI zeolites employing the DGC method with different amounts of tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was studied to investigate the effect of TPABr and NaOH on the crystallization of MFI zeolite, with the optimal condition for synthesis found to be 0.05625 for both NaOH/SiO2 and TPABr/SiO2. Additionally, carbon black (CB) was added onto the MFI zeolite precursor gel as a hard template to generate mesopores into zeolite frameworks. The resultant MFI zeolite with CB synthesized by the DGC method showed mesoporosity, with pore size distribution similar to the particle size of CB. However, the conventional hydrothermal method could not generate mesopores in MFI zeolite due to the separation of zeolite crystals from CB templates during crystallization.

Waste loofah sponge-derived graphitic carbon/ZnO tubules enabling ultrahigh response to NO2 gas at near room temperature

The fabrication of low-temperature and ultrahigh-response ZnO-based sensor is very important for real-time and effective monitoring of harmful NO2, but the less association has been reported to date. Herein, based on the concept of biomimetic manufacturing and waste reutilization, two biomorphic ZnO tubules were controllably prepared by calcining zinc nitrate solution immersed precursors in air using loofah sponge as template. Among them, the GC/ZnO tubules obtained from at 425 °C are composited of 5.26 wt% graphitic carbon (GC) and uniform nanoparticles, featuring small-size mesopores, large specific surface area, and abundant oxygen vacancies. Such advantageous features facilitate the rapid diffusion of target gases, increase the conductivity of sensing material, readily expose more active sensing units and promote surface chemical reactions, thereby effectively boosting the sensitive and selective detection of oxidizing NO2 gas. At near room temperature of 50 °C, GC/ZnO sensor achieves response value of 912 toward 5 ppm NO2 gas, which is 3.14 times higher than that of pure ZnO-500, and is the largest value among reported carbon-doped ZnO-based sensors. Additionally, it also exhibits other good comprehensive performance. Therefore, the cost-effective GC/ZnO tubules can serve as candidate material for accurately detecting NO2 gas in the atmospheric environment.