Aspect Ratio Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

LSPR anisotropy minimization by sequential growth of Ag nanoparticles on nanoripple patterned Si surface for SERS Application

The present work describes the formation of low-aspect-ratio Ag nanoparticles (NPs) arrays by sequential deposition of Ag from different growth directions on a nanoripple-patterned Si substrate, produced by low-energy ion beam irradiation. It is observed that the growth of Ag-NPs on ripple surfaces is direction-dependent due to the asymmetric ridge of the ripple pattern. This asymmetric ridge can be utilized to tune the shape of NP from elongated to spherical and in turn, assists in minimizing the LSPR anisotropy. The Finite-Difference-Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations demonstrate that the interparticle gap, major, and minor axis combinations of a NP are crucial in minimizing anisotropic near-field interaction. NPs grown perpendicular to the ripple from either direction lead to an elongated chain of nanoparticles; however, if a proper combination of sequential growth times is chosen then the aspect ratio of NPs can be tuned from elongation to spherical ones. Interestingly, a LSPR shift of 209 nm was observed when NPs are grown for 60 min on ripple patterns from one direction only. On the other hand, it reduces to 54 nm when NPs are sequentially grown for 30 min from each of directions, perpendicular to the ripples. SERS measurements also evidence a minimized anisotropic nature in sequentially grown NP arrays; hence, the growth direction as well as optimized growth times together can be used to control the LSPR anisotropy of NP arrays which can be used to fabricate such isotropic SERS substrates.

Cellular uptake of active nonspherical nanoparticles

Due to the potential applications in biomedical engineering, it becomes more and more important to understand the process of engulfment and internalization of nanoparticles (NPs) by cell membranes. Despite the fact that the interaction between cell membranes and passive particles has been widely studied, the interaction between cell membranes and self-propelled nonspherical NPs remains to be elucidated. Here, we present a theoretical model to systematically investigate the influence of the active force, aspect ratio of NPs, particle size, and membrane properties (adhesion energy density and membrane tension) on the cellular uptake of a nonspherical nanoparticle. It is found that the active force generated by an NP can trigger a type of first-order wrapping transition from a small partial wrapping state to a large one. In addition, the phase diagram in the force-aspect ratio (particle size, adhesion energy density, and membrane tension) space displays more complex behaviors compared with that for the passive wrapping mediated merely by adhesion. These results may provide useful guidance to the study of activity-driven cellular entry of active particles into cells.

Manipulation of Macrophage Uptake by Controlling the Aspect Ratio of Graft Copolymer Micelles.

Nanostructures of drug carriers play a crucial role in nanomedicine due to their ability to influence drug delivery. There is yet no clear consensus regarding the optimal size and shape (e.g., aspect ratio) of nanoparticles for minimizing macrophage uptake, given the difficulties in controlling the shape and size of nanoparticles while maintaining identical surface properties. Here, we employed graft copolymer self-assembly to prepare polymer micelles with aspect ratios ranging from 1.0 (spherical) to 10.8 (cylindrical) and closely matched interfacial properties. Notably, our findings emphasize that cylindrical micelles with an aspect ratio of 2.4 are the least susceptible to macrophage uptake compared with both their longer counterparts and spherical micelles. This reduced uptake of the short cylindrical micelles results in a 3.3-fold increase in blood circulation time compared with their spherical counterparts. Controlling the aspect ratio of nanoparticles is crucial for improving drug delivery efficacy through better nanoparticle design.

Numerical Simulation of Graphene-Nanoplatelet Nanofluid Convection in Millimeter-Sized Automotive Radiator

The depletion of fossil fuels and environmental considerations in transportation sector motivate the researchers to enhance the efficiency and performance of the automotive systems. However, the poor thermal performance of conventional coolant poses a limitation in the development of energy-efficient vehicle due to the cooling constraint. In the present study, a comprehensive numerical study is conducted to scrutinize the convective performance of graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) nanofluid in millimeter-sized automotive radiator, aiming to enhance the understandings on the underlying physical significance of the suspension of graphene-based nanoparticle in water for the performance enhancement of automotive radiator. The temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of GnP-water nanofluid is predicted via existing correlations, while a modified viscosity correlation is developed. ANSYS Fluent is employed in the present numerical simulation to investigate the effects of various pertinent parameters such as Reynolds number, nanoparticles aspect ratio, tube aspect ratio and tube hydraulic diameter on the heat transfer performance of the radiator. Double precision and second-order upwind scheme with inclusion of viscous heating, and convergent criteria of 10˗6 are adopted for the present simulation. It is observed that the convective performance of the radiator is significantly enhanced by increasing Reynolds number and nanoparticle volume fraction while decreasing the aspect ratios of nanoparticle and radiator tube, with an enhancement rate as much as 1816%. Therefore, it is evident that the suspension of GnP intensifies the heat transfer performance of millimeter-sized automotive radiator, which could possibly lead to a more efficient radiator that is smaller and lighter.

Assessing trans-endothelial transport of nanoparticles for delivery to abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are localized, rupture-prone expansions of the abdominal aorta wall. In this condition, structural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins of the aorta wall, elastic fibers and collagen fibers, that impart elasticity and stiffness respectively, are slowly degraded by overexpressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) following an injury stimulus. We are seeking to deliver therapeutics to the AAA wall using polymer nanoparticles (NPs) that are capable of stimulating on-site matrix regeneration and repair. This study aimed to determine how NP shape and size impacts endocytosis and transmigration past the endothelial cell (EC) layer from circulation into the medial layer of the AAA wall. First, rod-shaped NPs were shown to be created based mechanical stretching of PLGA NPs while embedded in a PVA film with longer rod-shaped NPs created based of the degree in which the PVA films are stretched. Live/dead assay reveals that our PLGA NPs are safe and do not cause cell death. Immunofluorescence staining reveal cytokine activation causes endothelial dysfunction in ECs by increasing expression of inflammatory marker Integrin αVβ3 and decreasing expression of adhesion protein vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. We showed this disruption enable greater EC uptake and translocation of NPs. Fluorescence studies demonstrate high endothelial transmigration and endocytosis with rod-shaped NPs in cytokine activated ECs compared to healthy control cells, arguing for the benefits of using higher aspect ratio (AR) NPs for accumulation at the aneurysm site. We also demonstrated that the mechanisms of NP transmigration across an activated EC layer depend on NP AR. These results show the potential of using shape as a modality for enhancing permeation of NPs into the aneurysm wall. These studies are also significance to understanding the mechanisms that are likely engaged by NPs for penetrating the endothelial lining of aneurysmal wall segments.

A meticulous study of aspect ratio impacts on flow and heat of nanofluid in a cavity: Finite difference-based computations

The phenomenon of natural convection in rectangular cavities of different aspect ratios is considered. The water is considered a base fluid associated with copper nanoparticles. The flow is induced only due to buoyancy force that arises by heating the right side of the cavity. The left side is set cold while the other walls are assumed to be at zero flux temperature. The governing equations of the present communication are simulated by the finite difference method. This study explores the impacts of Rayleigh number (Ra), Prandtl number (Pr), nanoparticles volume fraction ([Formula: see text]), and aspect ratio (A). Different combinations of these parameters are investigated. Compared to other parameters, Rayleigh number (10[Formula: see text]), aspect ratio ([Formula: see text]), and volume fraction of nanoparticles ([Formula: see text]), A is found more effective on the flow field and isotherms. Regression curves are determined for the mean Nusselt number (Nuavg) as a function of Ra for different cases. It is found that Nuavg more precisely fits the exponential function. Also, it is found that Nuavg decreases as the values of A increase. But, [Formula: see text], shows the opposite behavior. It is noticed that when the A of the cavity grows, so does the mean heat transfer Nu. With rising Ra, the local heat transfer NuL decreases and the heat transfer rises. In the case of the square cavity, the regression coefficient for Nuavg is found to be 0.3673 and 0.2514 for an exponential function.

Evaluation of Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano‐cellulose and nano‐chitin treated with deep eutectic solvent

AbstractDeveloping bio‐friendly and degradable Pickering emulsifiers as surfactants to replace traditional surfactants with bio‐toxicity is imperative in the food, coating, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Nanocellulose and chitin can be used directly as an emulsifier to prepare Pickering o/w emulsions. As the concentration of nanoparticles increases, the stability of the emulsion also increases, and an overly large nanoparticle aspect ratio is not conducive to the stabilization of the emulsion. In comparison, nanocellulose‐prepared Pickering emulsion has improved stability. Of these, nanocellulose prepared by DES with a molar ratio of 3:1 to LA:CC has been shown to have the best stability when used to equilibrate the oil/water mass ratio of 2/8. The Zeta potential is −38.4 mV, and the size of the droplets is the most uniform. With a mean droplet diameter of 770 nm. This study had certain research significance and reference value for the development of bio‐friendly surfactants.

Single-Shot Aspect Ratio and Orientation Imaging of Nanoparticles

Single-Shot Aspect Ratio and Orientation Imaging of Nanoparticles

Nonlinear chaotic dynamics in nonlocal plasmonic core-shell nanoparticle dimer.

Plasmonic nanoparticles can be employed as a promising integrated platform for lumped optical nanoelements with unprecedentedly high integration capacity and efficient nanoscale ultrafast nonlinear functionality. Further minimizing the size of plasmonic nanoelements will lead to a rich variety of nonlocal optical effects due to the nonlocal nature of electrons in plasmonic materials. In this work, we theoretically investigate the nonlinear chaotic dynamics of the plasmonic core-shell nanoparticle dimer consisting of a nonlocal plasmonic core and a Kerr-type nonlinear shell at nanometer scale. This kind of optical nanoantennae could provide novel switching functionality: tristable, astable multivibrators, and chaos generator. We give a qualitative analysis on the influence of nonlocality and aspect ratio of core-shell nanoparticles on the chaos regime as well as on the nonlinear dynamical processing. It is demonstrated that considering nonlocality is very important in the design of such nonlinear functional photonic nanoelements with ultra-small size. Compared to solid nanoparticles, core-shell nanoparticles provide an additional freedom to adjust their plasmonic property hence tuning the chaotic dynamic regime in the geometric parameter space. This kind of nanoscale nonlinear system could be the candidate for a nonlinear nanophotonic device with a tunable nonlinear dynamical response.

Size effect of iron oxide nanorods with controlled aspect ratio on magneto-responsive behavior

Iron oxide (Fe3O4) has been widely used as a magnetic material for magnetorheological (MR) fluids due to its facile geometric control, magnetic properties, and surface functionalization. However, studies on controlling the aspect ratio of iron oxide nanoparticles applied to MR fluids have rarely been reported due to difficulties in preparing anisotropic magnetic particles. To gain insight into the application of anisotropic nanoparticle in MR fluids, in this work iron oxide nanorods are prepared by using β-FeOOH nanorods as a template. The size of the β-FeOOH nanorods is controlled by adding polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the size controlling agent, and further reduction results in iron oxide nanorods. The resulting iron oxide nanorods are uniform in size and shape and exhibit superparamagnetic properties and high magnetic saturation, which is suitable for MR applications. The influence of particle size of the iron oxide nanorods on MR properties is evaluated, and the result shows the MR fluids prepared with larger size nanorods exhibit higher shear stress due to the higher magnetic saturation ascribed to larger crystalline domain. Consequently, gaining control over the size and aspect ratio of the magnetic particles can lead to high performance MR fluids.

Hybrid peptides as platform for synchronized combination therapy

Combination therapy, where two or more therapeutic agents are combined to target different cellular pathways, is an effective tool in cancer treatment but often difficult to execute. Here we present the collagen peptide-based platform that allows for synchronous and colocalized cellular delivery of three different agents. The peptide is a hybrid between collagen and cell penetrating peptide (CPP) that assembles into a heterotrimer helix and forms fully organic, high aspect ratio nanoparticles. The validity of the approach was tested with three chemically different agents (Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, and 5-Fluorouracil; a combination used in clinical treatment of (ER)-positive and (PR)-positive breast cancer) conjugated to N-terminus of the peptide. The design of this peptide-based drug delivery system provides several advantages: it avoids drug loading problems; removes the need for orthogonal synthesis; and allows for colocalized delivery of up to three drugs (which leads to the same biodistribution for each drug). In addition, hybrid collagen/CPP peptides are known to enhance cellular uptake and improve solubility of drugs. The synergistic effect, in terms of enhanced efficacy, of the Paclitaxel-Doxorubicin-5-Fluorouracil combination was also calculated. We envision self-assembling peptides as a platform for drug codelivery that can be expanded into a library of personalized combinations that may also include other functionalities like targeting or imaging.

Lactate and glucose responsive boronic acid-substituted amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticles of high aspect ratio

The establishment of conditions for formation of higher order morphologies (e.g. rods and worms) is important, as such nanoparticles are more efficient than spheres in drug delivery. Glucose-binding of core–shell nanoparticles comprising of boronic acid (BA) moieties occurs under basic conditions at above the pKa of the BA (pH 8.7). The resulting increased solubility of the core-forming BA-containing block is utilised in the delivery of therapeutics to diabetics. In contrast, the binding of the key anaerobic metabolite lactate to the BA moiety of amphiphilic block copolymers is unreported, despite occurring at lower physiological neutral pH 7.4. Herein, for the first time, high aspect ratio nanoparticles are observed for (unprotected) BA-substituted amphiphilic block copolymers in water, achieved by incorporating a non-stimuli responsive hydrophobic (tert-butylacrylamide) block. Amphiphilic diblock (Mn = 24,100 and 27,700 gmol−1) and triblock copolymers (Mn = 21,500 and 25,200 gmol−1) with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (ᴆ = 1.31–1.48) were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) solution polymerizations. Aggregates formed upon dialysis with lactate at pH 7.4 were generally similar to those formed upon self-assembly with glucose at pH 8.7. Spherical nanoparticles for poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide, DMA)28-b-(3-(acrylamidophenyl)boronic acid, 3-BAPhA)84-TTC (trithiocarbonate) decreased in size from Dh = 259 nm to mostly 100–150 nm upon ionization of BA-moieties with lactate, base, and glucose. Poly(DMA)96-b-(3-BAPhA)62 gave ∼ 500 nm long worms and lamellae under basic conditions, which transitioned to irregular spheres and rods upon addition of glucose. Self-assembly for triblock copolymers with BA-binding gave worms and fused spherical micelle rod-like structures.

Optical absorption and dichroism of single melanin nanoparticles.

Melanin nanoparticles (NPs) have important biological functions including photoprotection and colouration, and artificial melanin-like NPs are relevant for catalysis, drug delivery, diagnosis and therapy. Despite their importance, the optical properties of single melanin NPs have not been measured. We combine quantitative differential interference contrast (qDIC) and extinction microscopy to characterise the optical properties of single NPs, both naturally sourced from cuttlefish ink, as well as synthetic NPs using polydopamine (PDA) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). Combining qDIC with extinction, we determine the absorption index of individual NPs. We find that on average the natural melanin NPs have a higher absorption index than the artificial melanin NPs. From the analysis of the polarisation-dependent NP extinction, the NP aspect ratio is determined, with mean values at 405 nm wavelength in agreement with transmission electron microscopy. At longer wavelengths, we observe an additional optical anisotropy which is attributed to dichroism by structural ordering of the melanin. Our quantitative analysis yields a dichroism of 2-10% of the absorption index, increasing with wavelength from 455 nm to 660 nm for L-DOPA and PDA. Such an in-depth quantification of the optical properties of single melanin NPs is important for the design and future application of these ubiquitous bionanomaterials.

Gas-to-nanotextile: high-performance materials from floating 1D nanoparticles.

Suspended in the gas phase, 1D inorganic nanoparticles (nanotubes and nanowires) grow to hundreds of microns in a second and can be thus directly assembled into freestanding network materials. The corresponding process continuously transforms gas precursors into aerosols into aerogels into macroscopic nanotextiles. By enabling the assembly of very high aspect ratio nanoparticles, this processing route has translated into high-performance structural materials, transparent conductors and battery anodes, amongst other embodiments. This paper reviews progress in the application of such manufacturing process to nanotubes and nanowires. It analyses 1D nanoparticle growth through floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition (FCCVD), in terms of reaction selectivity, scalability and its inherently ultra-fast growth rates (107-108 atoms per second) up to 1000 times faster than for substrate CVD. We summarise emerging descriptions of the formation of aerogels through percolation theory and multi-scale models for the collision and aggregation of 1D nanoparticles. The paper shows that macroscopic ensembles of 1D nanoparticles resemble textiles in their porous network structure, high flexibility and damage-tolerance. Their bulk properties depend strongly on inter-particle properties and are dominated by alignment and volume fraction. Selected examples of nanotextiles that surpass granular and monolithic materials include structural fibres with polymer-like toughness, transparent conductors, and slurry-free composite electrodes for energy storage.

Buoyancy-induced convective flow and heat transfer over obstacles embedded inside a Cu–water nanofluid-saturated porous cavity

In this article, a comprehensive study of convective flow over the obstacles (i.e., heaters and freezer) inside the cavity filled with Cu–water nanofluid-saturated porous medium is made. The flow is induced due to heated vertical walls and a cooled top wall, as well as partial attachment of obstacles with the bottom wall. A non-Darcy model that includes Darcy and Brinkman terms has been adopted. The coupled governing equations are solved numerically by the finite element method using the penalty approach. The influence of different controlling parameters, Rayleigh number (Ra), nanoparticle volume fraction (), Darcy number (Da), Prandtl number (Pr), aspect ratio (Ar ), and porosity (ε) on the dynamics of flow and heat transfer rate have been addressed. The flow dynamics as well as heat transfer rate have been analyzed with help of streamfunction and temperature contours. Results show that the flow structure (i.e. streamlines) is controlled by nipple shape bicellular structure and the velocity profile includes the point of inflection. The variation of the Nusselt number as a function of the volume fraction of the nanoparticle is almost linear. In contrast to pure fluid, at 10% volume fraction of nanoparticle, the enhancement in heat transfer rate is found up to 30%.

Optimizing the shape anisotropy of gold nanoparticles for enhanced light harvesting and photocatalytic applications

Hybrid nanoparticles (NP) of bismutite nanodisks (BSC ND) with gold nanoparticles (Au NP) of different aspect ratios (AR), such as spheres, rods and etched rods were synthesized via a facile sonochemical method. To better control the shapes of Au NP deposited on the substrate, these were pre-synthesized prior to the deposition using a modified seed mediated growth method by altering the pH and supersaturation of the growth solution. The shift in the peak position and shape of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band associated with fine-tuning of the shape of Au NP, led to enhanced light harvesting capabilities of the hybrid. Introducing shape anisotropy in the NP brought about narrowing of bandgap and lowering of PL intensity in the hybrids, suggesting better electronic contact of the NP with BSC, and effective suppression of recombination effects. Hybrids of BSC with Au nanorods showed 14% improved degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye compared to the hybrids with nanospheres. With this study, we provide a novel promising strategy to maximize the light harvesting capacity of semiconductors by tailoring the AR of Au NP, for improved solar to chemical energy conversion.Graphical abstract

Constructal design of a nanofluid cooling channel with sidewall ribs and cavities in a rectangular heat generation body

The heat dissipation optimization of electronic devices with cooling channels is a hot research issue. A nanofluid cooling channel (CCL) model with sidewall ribs and cavities in a rectangular heat generation body is established. The CCL is designed with minimum complex function composed of the maximum temperature difference (MTD) and pumping power consumption (PPC). When the volumes of the CCL, sidewall ribs and cavities are constrained, the optimal nanoparticle volume fraction, aspect ratio, cavity radius and sidewall rib radius of the CCL are 1%, 1.43, 1.04 and 1.30 within their discussed ranges, and the complex function after constructal design is reduced by up to 14.3%. For the multi-objective optimization by using NSGA-II, the PPC gained by TOPSIS decision-making strategy is abated by 28.4%, and the MTD is augmented by 8.0%. The deviation index of this strategy is 0.250, which is the lowest one among the discussed strategies. Thus, the optimal structure gained by this strategy can be served as the optimal design solution. The novelty of this paper is the application of constructal theory to the structure optimization of nanofluid CCL model, which provides better comprehensive performance with certain system constraints.

Responsive shape-shifting nanoarchitectonics and its application in tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Nanodrug delivery system has a great application in the treatment of solid tumors by virtue of EPR effect, though its success in clinics is still limited by its poor extravasation, small intratumoral accumulation, and weak tumor penetration. The shape of nanoparticles (NPs) greatly affects their circulation time, flow behavior, intratumoral amassing, cell internalization as well as tumor tissue penetration. Generally, short nanorods and 100-200nm spherical nanocarriers possess nice circulation behaviors, nanorods and nanofibers with a large aspect ratio (AR) cumulate well at tumor sites, and tiny nanospheres/disks (< 50nm) and short nanorods with a low AR achieve a favorable tumor tissue penetration. The AR and surface evenness of NPs also tune their cell contact, cell ingestion, and drug accumulation at tumor sites. Therefore, adopting stimulus-responsive shape-switching (namely, shape-shifting nanoarchitectonics) can not only ensure a good circulation and extravasation for NPs, but also and more importantly, promote their amassing, retention, and penetration in tumor tissues to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Here we review the recently developed shape-switching nanoarchitectonics of antitumoral NPs based on stimulus-responsiveness, demonstrate how successful they are in tumor shrinking and elimination, and provide new ideas for the optimization of anticancer nanotherapeutics.

Numerical Analysis of Effects of Aspect Ratio of Rod-like Nanoparticles on Thermal and Flow Behavior of Nanofluids in Backward-facing Step Flows

Numerical Analysis of Effects of Aspect Ratio of Rod-like Nanoparticles on Thermal and Flow Behavior of Nanofluids in Backward-facing Step Flows

Embedding Mn2+ in polymer coating on rod-like cellulose nanocrystal to integrate MRI and photothermal function

Grafting Mn ions on 1D particles can produce high-performance MRI agents. However, the motion of Mn ions may cause Mn aggregation and then attenuate imaging contrast. Here, we proposed an MRI-promotion strategy based on embedding Mn2+ into crosslinked polydopamine (PDA) coating on rod-like cellulose nanocrystals. The results indicate that the slow relaxation of PDA molecular chains restricts the motion of embedded Mn2+. When the embedded Mn2+ content raises up to 2.25 wt%, the particles display a longitudinal relaxivity of 38.08 mM−1·s−1. Such a relaxivity is over 6.6 times of the sample with adsorbed 0.65 wt% Mn2+. The aspect ratio of nanoparticles even increases from 14.2 to 20.7 as embedding Mn2+ concentration increases. Then, the photothermal conversion efficiency of nanoparticles increases from 17.7 % to 44.4 %. This high photothermal conversion efficiency contributes this kind of MRI agent with embedded Mn2+ to the application potential of integrating tumor diagnosis and treatment.