Production Of Nanomaterials Research Articles

Rapid synthesis of nanomaterials by solvent-free laser irradiation for energy storage and conversion

Nanomaterials synthesized through laser irradiation have numerous applications in the field of energy storage and conversion. Conventional methods for fabricating nanomaterials often involve extended reaction times, making them susceptible to issues such as reproducibility, impurities, and inhomogeneity. To address these issues, a novel strategy of synthesizing nanomaterials via solvent-free laser irradiation in the gas phase is proposed as a potential solution. This innovative strategy offers ultrafast heating and cooling processes compared to conventional time-consuming methods, resulting in the formation of homogeneous nanosystems within femto- to nanosecond timeframes. The focused laser beam induces rapid photothermal and photochemical effects in either air or an inert gas atmosphere, enabling the rapid production of nanomaterials with precise control over geometry, chemistry, crystallinity, and defect density by adjusting processing conditions and sintering mediums. This review provides insights into the rapid solvent-free laser-assisted synthesis of nanomaterials using natural carbon-based materials, polymers, metal–organic frameworks, and inorganic species in both air and inert atmospheres. The introduction of photo-irradiation across a wide range of precursors facilitates phase transitions and surface functionalization in the resulting nanoproducts. We also discuss the effects of altering laser wavelengths, pulse widths, fluences, and repetition rates on both surface and bulk properties of the final products. Finally, we explore the applications of laser-induced nanomaterials in areas such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, and catalysis.

Bright Semiconductor Quantum Dots Shed New Light on Precision Nanomedicine for Various Diseases

Nanomaterials with diagnostic and therapeutic functions have exciting potential to reshape the landscape of precision medicine. Impressive progress has been made toward the design and production of innovative theranostic nanomaterials that improve disease care, motivated by their ability to simultaneously provide diagnostic information and therapeutic benefits. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art theranostic semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are summarized, and the diverse types of QDs designed for the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases are discussed. The opportunities and benefits of QDs are highlighted throughout using in vitro and in vivo examples aimed at addressing various clinical challenges, including cancer, vascular dysfunctions, microbial infections, and medical tattoos. Over the past several years, this area has experienced enormous growth, particularly in preclinical animal imaging and therapy, which has brought the field closer to reaching human patients. Unfortunately, several barriers to clinical translation remain. Therefore, in addition to summarizing the key results from previous in vivo studies, the lessons learned from these studies are synthesized, perspective on the future steps needed for both fundamental studies and the clinical translation of theranostic QD nanotechnology to inform future QD design is provided.

An intrusion and environmental effects of man-made silver nanoparticles in cold seeps

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely used metal-based engineered nanomaterials in biomedicine and nanotechnology, and account for >50 % of global nanomaterial consumer products. The increasing use of AgNPs potentially causes marine ecosystem changes; however, the environmental impacts of man-made AgNPs are still poorly studied. This study reports for the first time that man-made AgNPs intruded into cold seeps, which are important marine ecosystems where hydrogen sulfide, methane, and other hydrocarbon-rich fluid seepage occur. Using a combination of electron microscopy, geochemical and metagenomic analyses, we found that in the cold seeps with high AgNPs concentrations, the relative abundance of genes associated with anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) was lower, while those related to the sulfide oxidizing and sulfate reducing were higher. This suggests that AgNPs can stimulate the proliferation of sulfate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, likely due to the effects of activating repair mechanisms of the cells against the toxicant. A reaction of AgNPs with hydrogen sulfide to form silver sulfide could also effectively reduce the amount of available sulfate in local ecosystems, which is generally used as the AOM oxidant. These novel findings indicate that man-made AgNPs may be involved in the biogeochemical cycles of sulfur and carbon in nature, and their potential effects on the releasing of methane from the marine methane seeps should not be ignored in both scientific and environmental aspects.

A novel fabrication and characterization of PEGylated hydroxyapatite-zirconia oxide nanoparticles for biomedical application

Calcium phosphate-based nanomaterials (NMs) have garnered substantial attention for their potential applications in addressing bone-related diseases. However, the production of nanomaterials with optimal bioactivity and minimal toxicity remains a challenging endeavor. Hence, the current study focused on the synthesis and characterization of PEGylated hydroxyapatite-zirconia oxide nanoparticles (PHAP-ZrO2 NPs) and assessed their cytotoxicity on both HEK-293 cells and red blood cells, with a specific emphasis on their suitability for applications in bone tissue engineering. PHAP-ZrO2 NPs were synthesized employing both the sol-gel and grinding methods, enabling a comparative assessment of their physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the properties of the synthesized PHAP-ZrO2 NPs were thoroughly examined utilizing techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Notably, TEM analysis revealed the distinctive oval shape of the PEG-HAP-ZrO2 NPs. The zeta size and zeta potential of PHAP-ZrO2 NPs were 122.8 ± 0.16 nm and − 25.7 ± 6.6 mV, respectively. The in-vitro cytotoxicity analysis confirmed that the PHAP-ZrO2 NPs (1 mg/mL) have 71.5 ± 5.3% of cell viability with minimal toxicity. Similarly, PHAP-ZrO2 NPs did not cause substantial toxicity (5.76 ± 0.057%) to red blood cells (RBCs) compared to PBS (2.27 ± 0.119%). Overall, the high throughput characterization and cytotoxicity results of this study demonstrate that the synthesized PHAP-ZrO2 NPs could be developed as potential drug delivery carriers for therapeutic applications.

Escherichia coli-assisted synthesis of AgFeO2 nanoparticles for antimicrobial, photocatalytic and hydrogen generation applications

The nanoparticles produced by physical and chemical methods are toxic in one or other way. Green chemistry is an emerging, stable and eco-friendly approach for biological production of nanomaterials. In the present study, Escherichia coli bacterium was utilized for the synthesis of silver iron oxide (AgFeO2) nanoparticles by using precursors of two different salts; iron nitrate (Fe(No3)3 and silver nitrate (AgNO3). Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by EDX, XRD and SEM. AgFeO2 nanoparticles, members of delafossite family were appraised for bacterial inactivation, photocatalytic degradation of toxic dyes and hydrogen generation through methanolysis. Delafossites are chemically stable compounds with high conductivity and decomposition temperatures (800–925 °C). The antimicrobial activity of AgFeO2 nanoparticles was checked by well diffusion method against ATTC cultures of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Synthesized AgFeO2 nanoparticles were employed for the degradation of Cango red and maximum degradation of 87 % was accomplished with 20 ppm (50 mL) solution of Cango red and 0.10 g AgFeO2 as catalyst and reasonable hydrogen generating potential was also exhibited by the synthesized nanoparticles. As model fungi, Aspergillus niger and Mucor piriformis, are both significantly inhibited by AgFeO2 NPs, while M. piriformis is the target of the compound's greater antifungal action.

Lessons from nanosafety research for effective regulation and safer handling of nanomaterials at the workplace

At the turn of the twentieth century, nanotechnology was regarded as the new innovation potential. However, increased industrial use of nanomaterials raised concerns whether nanomaterial exposure could pose occupational health risks similar to asbestos. In 2012, the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA) established the ‘Danish Centre for Nanosafety’ with the aim to provide evidence-based knowledge for policy advice on occupational handling of nanomaterials. Relevant stakeholders including the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA), the Danish Environment Protection Agency, and the social partners were engaged. The project achieved societal impact in various ways: NFA produced documentation for health-based occupational exposure limits for three engineered nanomaterials and diesel exhaust nanoparticles at the request of WEA. Denmark adopted a national occupational exposure limit for diesel particles in 2021. WEA made a guidance document on safe handling of nanomaterials. The Working Environment Council published fact sheets based on knowledge from NFA aimed at both nanomaterial providers and enterprises using nanomaterials. A revised law made it compulsory to register the presence of nanomaterials in products in the Danish Product Registry. Finally, the Danish Centre for Nanosafety supported development of a free, web-based control-banding tool for occupational risk assessment and -management of nanomaterials (NanoSafer.org).

Chemically Modified Starches as Food Additives.

Starch is a renewable and multifunctional polysaccharide biopolymer that is widely used both in the food industry and other areas of the economy. However, due to a number of undesirable properties in technological processes, it is subjected to various modifications. They improve its functional properties and enable the starch to be widely used in various industries. A modified starch is a natural starch that has been treated in a way that changes one or more of its initial physical and/or chemical properties. Chemical modification consists of the introduction of functional groups into starch molecules, which result in specific changes in the physicochemical and functional properties of starch preparations. The bases of chemical modifications of starch are oxidation, esterification or etherification reactions. In terms of functionality, modified preparations include cross-linked and stabilized starches. These starches have the status of allowed food additives, and their use is strictly regulated by relevant laws. Large-scale scientific research is aimed at developing new methods of starch modification, and the use of innovative technological solutions allows for an increasingly wider use of such preparations. This paper characterizes chemically modified starches used as food additives, including the requirements for such preparations and the directions of their practical application. Health-promoting aspects of the use of chemically modified starches concerning resistant starch type RS4, encapsulation of bioactive ingredients, starch fat substitutes, and carriers of microelements are also described. The topic of new trends in the use of chemically modified starches, including the production of biodegradable films, edible coatings, and nanomaterials, is also addressed.

Mg1-xNixGayFe2-yO4 nano catalysts for green hydrogen generation with highly efficient photo/electro catalytic water splitting applications

The production of nanomaterials for renewable energy as fossil fuel substitutes is anticipated as a viable solution to the pressing issues of environmental pollution and energy scarcity. We fixated on the development of Mg1-xNixGayFe2-yO4 (x = y = 0.0–0.03; steps: 0.01) nanocatalysts by sol-gel auto-combustion route (SGAC) for the hydrogen generation through overall photo and electrocatalytic water splitting. The spinel cubic phase with Fd3m space geometry was established from XRD results. FESEM images shows cubic and spherical formed grains with definite grain boundaries and grain size of 164 and 184 nm for the MgFe2O4 and Mg0.98Ni0.02Ga0.02Fe1.98O4 nanomaterials. Soft magnetic behavior with superior saturation magnetization (Ms) and moderate coercivity (Hc) of 2.72–29.24 emu/g and 51.23–257.86 Oe was obtained for all of the developed nanocatalysts. According to the research findings, Mg0.98Ni0.02Ga0.02Fe1.98O4 nanocatalyst shows the highest photocatalytic activity of 11.38 mmol gcat−1. The as-synthesised photocatalysts' repeatability and stability were evaluated throughout repeated runs of a 4-h reaction period conducted under identical circumstances. On the other hand, the electrocatalytic studies were carried via 3-electrode arrangement (i.e., working, counter and reference) in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M KOH electrolytes for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). The overpotential for the MgFe2O4, Mg0.99Ni0.01Ga0.01Fe1.99O4, Mg0.98Ni0.02Ga0.02Fe1.98O4, and Mg0.97Ni0.03Ga0.03Fe1.97O4 electrocatalysts at 10 mA/cm2 were −0.866, −0.82, −1.02 and −0.92 V. Consequently, owing to these photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting traits, the prepared nanocatalysts are highly efficient for hydrogen generation. However, MgFe2O4, and Mg0.99Ni0.01Ga0.01Fe1.99O4 nanomaterials show high zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and therefore, making it valuable also for biological usages.

Application and development prospects of nanomaterials in multiple fields

Nanomaterials have unique structures and characteristics that allow them to exhibit far superior or new properties in many aspects than conventional materials. With the continuous progress in materials science research, the manufacturing and processing technologies of nanomaterials have also been fully developed in recent years. Nanomaterials of different types, structures, and compositions have been applied in many fields, such as construction, energy, environmental protection, and electronics, providing new ideas for solving many problems. In this paper, we first review the basic definition and properties of nanomaterials, then analyze and discuss the cases of nanomaterials already in use or promising design solutions in medicine, solar energy and textiles. This paper also summarize their advantages and manufacturing difficulties. All of these areas have mature nanomaterial products in use, and they provide ideas for further research and development in the future.

A review on the current approach for the sustainable production of nanocomposites from agricultural wastes and their application for the adsorption of organophosphate flame retardants

Water pollution caused by emerging organic pollutants such as the halogenated organophosphate flame retardants, has exacerbated the issue of water scarcity. An eco-friendly technology, e.g., the adsorption technique, requires the use of affordable and safe adsorbents. Agricultural waste materials are promising adsorbents for wastewater remediation due to their relative abundance, biodegradability, non-toxic and cost-effective properties. However, most agricultural wastes are not ideal for adsorption in their raw forms and may require physical or chemical pre-treatments/modification, in order to increase the materials' compatibility and natural adsorption properties. Cellulose is an important constituent of plant residues that can be used as a precursor for the production of greener and sustainable industrial nanomaterials. Therefore, in this review, a discourse on the most recent approach/strategies for the modification of a range of agricultural wastes is presented. The result from their applications showed agricultural wastes has great prospects as adsorbents. The challenges encountered in the synthesis of plant-based adsorbents and the development of 3-D structured nanocomposites from cellulose, to circumvent these difficulties is extensively reviewed. Furthermore, the prospects in the application of cellulose beads/ZnO nanocomposites (CB-ZnO) derived from the maize tassel, for the adsorption of the halogenated organophosphate esters from aqueous matrices are presented in this review

Using biologically synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles as potential remedy against multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus of bovine mastitis

Presently, there is considerable emphasis on biological synthesis of nanoparticles containing bioactive reducing compounds with an aim to mitigate the harmful effects of pollutants. The approach under study is simple and ideal for the production of durable antimicrobial nanomaterials by novel single-step green synthesis of TiO2 metal oxide nanostructures using ginger and garlic crude aqueous extracts with bactericidal and catalytic activity. A variety of experimental techniques were used to characterize the synthesized nanomaterials. As demonstrated using x-ray diffraction and ultra-violet visible spectroscopy, the produced nanoparticles exhibited high absorption at 318 nm with size varying between 23.38 nm for ginger and 58.64 nm for garlic in biologically-reduced TiO2. At increasing concentrations (500, 1000 µg/50 µl), nanoparticles reduced with garlic exhibited enhanced bactericidal efficacy against multiple drug-resistant S. aureus and effectively decomposed toxic methylene blue (MB) dye. In conclusion, biologically-reduced TiO2 nanoparticles may prove an effective tool in the fight against microbial illnesses and drug resistance.

Process Synthesizes Janus Carbon Nanofluids From Waste Plastics for EOR

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 214799, “Novel Janus Carbon Nanofluids From Waste Plastics as Sustainable Nanoagents for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Scaleup Synthesis and Performance Evaluation,” by Wei Wang, Sehoon Chang, SPE, and Ayrat Gizzatov, SPE, Saudi Aramco, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ The complete paper describes nanomaterials—Janus carbon nanofluids—derived from waste plastics and demonstrates the potential of the nanofluids as highly effective alternative nanoagents for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications at reservoir conditions. A novel, sustainable, cost-effective method has been developed to scale up synthesis of Janus carbon nanoparticles (JC-NPs) from waste plastic feedstock by combined pyrolysis, chemical functionalization, and pulverization, which allows for production of the JC-NPs in mass quantities at an industrial scale. Introduction Recent research has demonstrated that nanoparticles with asymmetric surface properties (i.e., Janus nanoparticles) could achieve a much higher efficiency of oil recovery factors with very low concentrations of loading compared with homogeneous nanoparticle fluids. To date, however, major challenges facing the exploration and use of Janus nanoparticles exist, impeding scalability of synthesis, tailored chemical functionalization, and the ability to introduce a diverse set of functionalities. Therefore, new methods for production of Janus nanomaterials on an industrial scale are desired. The authors present a novel technique to convert waste plastic materials into carbon-based nanomaterials for EOR applications. Waste plastics, as a low-cost feedstock, can be converted into high-value-added carbon-based microparticles through the controlled carbonization of polymers. Furthermore, the carbon microparticles (C-MPs) can be surface-functionalized by post-chemical treatment and then their chemical symmetry reduced to nanosize by a ball-milling technique. The resulting asymmetrically surface-functionalized carbon nanoparticles (i.e., Janus C-NPs) exhibit both nanoparticulate and surfactant-like properties that can be used as new nanoagents in nanofluid flooding for EOR applications. Experimental materials and measurement methodology are detailed in the complete paper. Results and Discussion Synthesis of C-MPs From Waste Polymers. Approximately 90% of the plastics produced globally consist of six types: low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Given their widespread use, these waste polymers constitute a substantial proportion of global plastic waste. Therefore, they present an opportunity to be used as precursors in the synthesis of C-MPs. This study offers an approach for repurposing these ubiquitous waste polymers. As depicted in Fig. 1, the authors propose synthesis of C-MPs through carbonization reactions using these waste polymers as feedstock. This methodology offers dual benefits. First, it presents a practical solution to the growing environmental concern posed by plastic waste. Second, it provides a cost-effective way to produce C-MPs, an essential component in many technological applications.

Tuning the Growth of Chiral Gold Nanoparticles Through Rational Design of a Chiral Molecular Inducer.

The bottom-up production of chiral gold nanomaterials holds great potential for the advancement of biosensing and nano-optics, among other applications. Reproducible preparations of colloidal nanomaterials with chiral morphology have been reported, using cosurfactants or chiral inducers such as thiolated amino acids. However, the underlying growth mechanisms for these nanomaterials remain insufficiently understood. We introduce herein a purposely devised chiral inducer, a cysteine modified with a hydrophobic chain, as a versatile chiral inducer. The amphiphilic and chiral features of this molecule provide control over the chiral morphology and the chiroptical signature of the obtained nanoparticles by simply varying the concentration of chiral inducer. These results are supported by circular dichroism and electromagnetic modeling as well as electron tomography to analyze structural evolution at the facet scale. Our observations suggest complex roles for the factors involved in chiral synthesis: the chemical nature of the chiral inducers and the influence of cosurfactants.

Botanicals as a Source of Nanomaterial for Pest and Disease Management

Sustainable food production for a rapidly growing human population is one of the major challenges faced by the agriculture sector globally. Plant pests and pathogens cause significant reductions in crop production, with estimated global losses of 20-40% year-1, resulting in an increased use of environmentally toxic pesticides & fertilizers. The growing numbers of studies in nanotechnology are producing novel applications in many fields of science, especially in plant biotechnology and agriculture. Nanomaterials (NMs) have been used in breakdown of pollutants and reported worldwide for several different environmental applications. They play an important role in agriculture as nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides, prepared by many methods such as physical, green synthesis or chemical synthesis methods. Green synthesis involves use of biological resources as microorganisms or plant extracts and doesn’t permit the use of any toxic chemicals, hence less bio-hazardous. Rate of reduction of metal ions using phytosynthesis has been observed to be much faster than microbial synthesis. Thus, it is considered as an accessible alternative for large scale production of nanomaterials, without use of chemicals. Phytosynthesized nanomaterials show excellent antibacterial effects, antifungal effects and anti-pest activity. Ocimum sanctum, Azadiracta indica, Paederia foetida, etc. had been successfully reported to be used in synthesis of many NMs of silver, gold, zinc, etc. Botanical nanomaterials offer considerable potential for increasing agricultural productivity and protection while reducing negative impacts on the environment and human health simultaneously.

Aspects Regarding of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites in 3D Printing Technology Process Development for Application in Biomedicine

This paper will present the advantages of developing the 3D printing process of nanomaterials in different fields such as electronics, biomedical and bioelectronics. As it is already known, nanomaterials are starting to become more and more useful, and more emphasis is being put on the development of new technologies to enable the use of these materials. Nanomaterials consist mainly of chemical substances made up from very small particles that are no larger than a hundred nanometers. These materials occur in nature, they can be an accidental product of human activity, or they can be consciously made to develop new characteristics such as strength, chemical reactivity or increased conductivity compared to the same material that does not display nanometric characteristics. By integrating nanomaterials to 3D printing technology, it is possible to create unique structures, which are difficult to achieve. Nanomaterials can possibly work on personal satisfaction and add to the advancement of European industry. However, new materials can also pose health and environmental risks. Scientific research has turned its attention to the potential outcomes of the production and application of nanomaterials. Meanwhile, the newest method for 3D printing of nanomaterials is Multiphase Direct Ink Writing (MDIW), a method developed from Direct Ink Writing (DIW), a revolutionary additive manufacturing mechanism with wide applications in structural engineering systems, thermal isolation, electrical conductivity, optical reflectivity, and biomedical scaffolds.

Solid wetting layer, interphase formation, and thin-film nanomaterials. Brief review

A review of the results on the formation of the interface between 3d metals and silicon silicides under identical conditions for various parameters of the deposited vapor, crystallographic orientation and substrate temperature is presented. A generalization of the results has been carried out, which consists of the fact that during the process of deposition of hot vapor on a colder substrate, the transition from the surface phase to the bulk phase occurs through a solid wetting layer (SWL). A classification of substrate-stabilized phases, including SWL, is proposed. It has been shown that SWL has an electronic density different from bulk phases, a smooth or nanostructured morphology, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties, and plays an important role in the formation of interfaces between bulk phases, their epitaxial films and multilayer nanostructures. These studies suggest the promise of SWL as a new nanotechnology object for the creation of thin-film nanomaterials. The studied problem is the formation of interfaces in thin-film nanomaterials. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the discovery of nonequilibrium solid wetting layers, their uniqueness and their role in the formation of the above-mentioned interfaces. This is important research for nanomaterial technologies. A review and generalization of the results of the study of the metal–silicon interface obtained under identical conditions was carried out. The review shows the detection a new type of transition state of the film under nonequilibrium conditions, a solid wetting layer, and the generalization justifies its role in the formation of the interface. Solid wetting layers are important as a new concept for the development of the theory of thin film growth, as well as a new object of nanotechnology for the production of thin-film nanomaterials

Spark discharges at the interface of water and heptane: emulsification and effect on discharge probability

Spark discharges in liquid have shown great potential for use in numerous applications, such as pollutant degradation, precision micromachining, and nanomaterials production. Herein, spark discharges are initiated at the interface of two immiscible liquids, heptane and water. This leads to the formation of an emulsion via mechanisms akin to bubble dynamics and instabilities at the gas–liquid. At high discharge number, an additional mechanism contributes to emulsion formation, resulting in an increase in the number of smaller heptane droplets in water. Analyses of the current–voltage characteristics show that high probability of discharge occurrence is obtained when the electrodes are aligned with the interface. This result is correlated with the low erosion rate of the electrodes. In the case of discharges at the interface, we observed that beyond a certain number of discharges, the breakdown voltage drops; far from the interface, it increases with the discharge number. Based on 2D simulation with a Monte Carlo approach to consider various droplet distribution in water, the electric field distribution is determined. The results support the fact that the decrease in breakdown voltage may be attributed to the intensification of the E-field in water close the heptane droplet. Therefore, spark discharges generated at the interface of a heptane/water system produce an emulsion of heptane in water, which facilitates the occurrence of subsequent discharges by intensifying the electric field and reducing the breakdown voltage.

Synthesis of Bio-Active Silver Nanoparticles against Human Lung Cancer Cell Line (A549) with Little Toxicity to Normal Cell Line (WRL68).

Nanomaterials are characterized by mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, and other properties that are different from the basic materials that make them up due to their large surface area to size ratio and quantum effect. There are multiple ways to produce nanomaterials mechanically, chemically, and physically, but they are not safe for the environment. Researchers have sought to find safe methods for the production of nanomaterials, such as green manufacturing, that is, manufacturing nanomaterials from plants. Moreover, there are other sources, such as bacteria or fungi that are used in the production of nanomaterials. This study aimed to try to find an alternative to chemically manufactured drugs, such as those used in the treatment of human cancers, through nanotechnology and from plant sources (green-biosynthesis), which is characterized by abundance and low economic cost. Silver nanoparticles were green-synthesized using an aqueous extract of the licorice plant, their properties were diagnosed, and their differences with the crude aqueous extract were determined. The sizes of nanoparticles were within the range of 60.27-89.80 nm, while the sizes of the crude aqueous extract particles were within the range of 53.96-113.1 nm. Atomic force microscopy was used to find out the shapes, topography, roughness, and protrusions of the surfaces of biosynthesized AgNPs and aqueous extract particles, where the roughness rate of the nanoparticles was 75.54 nm, while it appeared. In vitro test of AgNPs showed a higher anti-lung cancer activity against the A549 cell line than that of the extract at an inhibitory concentration for half of the cells used in the experiment (IC50) of 58.78 µg/ml while the IC50 of the extract was 67.44 µg/ml. The results showed that the toxicity of AgNPs on the normal hepatocyte line (WRL68) was less than that of the aqueous extract, with IC50 concentrations of 244.2 and 147.0 µg/ml, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the lower IC50 led to higher toxicity.

Useful nanoparticles from mining waste and acid mine drainage

Mining waste can generate environment pollution including acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD is dangerous for its surroundings and can pollute surface and groundwater it is contacting with. Nanomaterials are advanced materials used in all fields of human activity and development. However, their production is still expensive and may pollute the environment due to the chemicals’ used and/or production of the energy needed for their synthesis. A smart solution could be use of mining waste and AMD to produce nanomaterials with properties similar to the properties of nanomaterials obtained from clean chemicals. Thus both waste will be valorised / decontaminated and useful and needed materials produced. This paper presents production of nanoparticles and nanomaterials from mining waste and AMD with emphasis on iron- and copper-based materials, as well as some applications of the obtained materials.

A brief review of nanotechnology

It has been almost 50 years since the concept of nanotechnology was proposed, and it has had a significant impact on our society over the years. In this article, the development of nanotechnology will be briefly summarized. Besides, two main fabrication methods are going to be introduced, including top-down methods and bottom-up methods. Additionally, three typical nanomaterials, including graphene, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes, are shown, as well as the corresponding preparation methods. What’s more, applications of nanotechnology in environmental protection, food, and agriculture are briefly discussed. It is believed that after decades of effort, nanotechnology will be further developed and have a more profound impact on the development of society. However, there are some problems that need to be fixed, such as the mass production of nanomaterials, the pollution problems and health problems that may occur in the application, etc.