Complex Nanoparticles Research Articles

Small-angle neutron scattering differentiates molecular-level structural models of nanoparticle interfaces.

The highly anisotropic and nonadditive nature of nanoparticle surfaces restricts their characterization by limited types of techniques that can reach atomic or molecular resolution. While small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a unique tool for analyzing complex systems, it has been traditionally considered a low-resolution method due to its limited scattering vector range and wide wavelength spread. In this article, we present a novel perspective on SANS by showcasing its exceptional capability to provide molecular-level insights into nanoparticle interfaces. We report a series of experiments on multicomponent nanoparticles, where we demonstrate the ability of SANS to differentiate between competing structural models with molecular- and Å-scale differences. The results provide accurate quantification of organic ligand chain lengths, nanoparticles' heterogeneity, and detailed structures of surrounding counter-ion layers in solution. Furthermore, we show that SANS can probe subtle variations in self-assembled monolayer structures in different thermodynamic states. Our findings challenge the conventional view of SANS as a low-resolution technique for nanoparticle characterization and demonstrate its unique potential for providing molecular-level insights into complex nanoparticle surface structures.

Toward Resolving Heterogeneous Mixtures of Nanocarriers in Drug Delivery Systems through Light Scattering and Machine Learning.

Nanocarriers (NCs) have emerged as a revolutionary approach in targeted drug delivery, promising to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity through precise targeting and controlled release mechanisms. Despite their potential, the clinical adoption of NCs is hindered by challenges in their physicochemical characterization, essential for ensuring drug safety, efficacy, and quality control. Traditional characterization methods, such as dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, offer limited insights, primarily focusing on particle size and concentration, while techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are hampered by extensive sample preparation, high costs, and potential sample degradation. Addressing these limitations, this work presents a cost-effective methodology leveraging light scattering and optical forces, combined with machine learning algorithms, to characterize polydisperse nanoparticle mixtures, including lipid-based NCs. We prove that our approach provides quantification of the relative concentration of complex nanoparticle suspensions by detecting changes in refractive index and polydispersity without extensive sample preparation or destruction, offering a high-throughput solution for NC characterization in drug delivery systems. Experimental validation demonstrates the method's efficacy in characterizing commercially available synthetic nanoparticles and Doxoves, a liposomal formulation of Doxorubicin used in cancer treatment, marking a significant advancement toward reliable, noninvasive characterization techniques that can accelerate the clinical translation of nanocarrier-based therapeutics.

Covalently Cross-Linked Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles with Enhanced Stability against Dissociation at High Ionic Strength.

Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PECNPs) often fully dissociate into individual polycations (PC) and polyanions (PA) at high salinities. Herein, we introduce a novel type of colloidally stable PECNP in which the PC is cross-linked, in this case branched polyethylenimine (PEI) to limit this dissociation, even in solutions up to 5.2 M NaCl or 5.4 M CaCl2. For cross-linked PECNPs at specified conditions, the size and the PC (poly(vinylsulfonate)) partition coefficient reach equilibrium within the first 24 h and change very little for 7 weeks. From the determination of the released polyanion concentration over a wide range in PEI protonation degree (f), it was found that strong nonelectrostatic (hydrophobic) as well as electrostatic interactions between the PC and PA control the degree of dissociation. The electrostatic repulsion from the PEI chains on the surface provided long-term colloidal stability with PECNP hydrodynamic diameters on the order of 200 to 300 nm. The ability to achieve partial dissociation of a PECNP up to ultrahigh salinity creates new opportunities in fundamental experimental and theoretical studies of PECNP with relevance to controlled release in subsurface energy and environmental applications.

A metal organic framework, UiO-66-NH2, based on a molybdenum Schiff base complex for the efficient electrochemical determination of diphenoxylate.

Diphenoxylate, an agonist and opioid agent, is applied to enhance the activity of the circular muscle of the intestine. In this work, we prepared a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of diphenoxylate based on a modified UiO-66-NH2 metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH2 MOF) using a molybdenum Schiff base complex and NiS nanoparticles (NiSnp) in a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The UiO-66-NH2 MOF and UiO-66@Schiff-base-Mo were studied through advanced analysis techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to reveal the inherent characteristics of the material. The results also showed that the morphology and structure of the UiO-66-NH2 MOF were maintained after surface modification. The electrochemical properties of the proposed modified electrode (NiSnp/MOF@Mo/CPE) were characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Also, a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method was employed for diphenoxylate determination with NiSnp/MOF@Mo/CPE. A linear range was achieved from 1.0 to 55.0 μM and 65.0 to 125.0 μM, and the detection limit was found to be 0.34 μM. The capability of the fabricated sensors based on NiSnp/MOF@Mo/CPE was investigated through diphenoxylate determination in real samples.

Nanocomposite complex ZnO in combination with a triazoloazepinium derivative for inhibition of microbial steel corrosion

We have established the possibility of using ZnO nanoparticles to inhibit microbial corrosion with simultaneous inhibition of growth and sulfate-reducing activity of bacteria of the corrosive active group. The search for ways to increase the antibacterial and anticorrosive effect of ZnO nanoparticles makes it possible to combine them with substances, in particular, inhibitors-biocides of microbial steel corrosion. The nanocomposite complex of ZnO nanoparticles and cationic heterocyclic compound (triazoloazepinium derivative) was studied as a biocide and inhibitor of microbial corrosion on steel. The component concentrations are 3 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL accordingly. The experiments were carried out by using a microbiological and corrosion control methods. It has been established that the proposed nanocomposite complex affects the number of bacteria in the plankton and biofilm. In its presence, there is a complete inhibition of the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (the most aggressive component of the microbial community) in plankton. Also, the number of denitrifying bacteria and iron-reducing bacteria in plankton decreases by 3 and 4 orders, respectively. The biofilm formed in the presence of the nanocomposite in the culture medium is less dense in terms of the number of bacterial cells of the sulfidogenic community.

Mitochondria- and anaerobic glycolysis-targeted self-assembled copper complex nanoparticles for boosting cuproptosis-immunotherapy

Mitochondria- and anaerobic glycolysis-targeted self-assembled copper complex nanoparticles for boosting cuproptosis-immunotherapy

Effect of a Mating Type Gene Editing in Lentinula edodes Using RNP/Nanoparticle Complex.

Gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is an innovative tool for developing new mushroom strains, offering a promising alternative to traditional breeding methods that are time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, plasmid-based gene editing presents several challenges, including the need for selecting appropriate promoters for Cas9 expression, optimizing codons for the Cas9 gene, the unintended insertion of fragmented plasmid DNA into genomic DNA (gDNA), and regulatory concerns related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To address these issues, we utilized a Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex consisting of Cas9 and gRNA for gene editing to modify the A mating-type gene of Lentinula edodes. To overcome the challenges posed by the large size of the Cas9 protein, which limits its penetration through the protoplast membrane, and the susceptibility of sgRNA to degradation, we developed a nanoparticle complex using calcium phosphate and polyacrylic acid. This approach significantly improved gene editing efficiency. Consequently, we successfully edited the mating-controlling genes hd1 and hd2 in L. edodes and examined the effects of their disruption on mating. Disruption of the hd1 gene, which is known to influence mycelial growth, did not significantly affect growth or mating. In contrast, editing the hd2 gene disrupted mating with compatible partners, highlighting its critical role in the mating process. The RNP-based transformation technology presented here offers significant advancement over traditional plasmid-based methods, enhancing the efficiency of targeted gene modification while avoiding the insertion of foreign genetic material, thereby mitigating GMO-related regulatory concerns.

Oil-type modulation of the interfacial adsorption behavior of flavonoid-modified walnut protein hydrolysates to improve the storage stability of high internal phase Pickering emulsions.

Currently, protein-polyphenol complexes have garnered increasing attention as surface-active substances in high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs). However, the effects of the oil type and flavonoid structure on the HIPPE-stabilizing ability of protein-polyphenol complexes remain unclear. Notably, very few studies have investigated the impacts and mechanisms of different oils (olive, flaxseed, and coconut oils) and the effects of the addition of flavonoids (catechin and quercetin) on the interfacial behavior of walnut protein hydrolysates (WPHs) and the co-oxidation of protein-lipid in the resulting emulsion during storage. Incorporating flavonoids was found to reduce the particle size and enhance WPH emulsification efficiency. Compared with catechin, quercetin demonstrated a greater affinity for adsorption at the oil-water interface, thereby improving the interfacial adsorption properties of WPHs across all the oil phases, although the oil type influenced the concentration of flavonoids at the interface. Excessive WPH-quercetin complex nanoparticles can form a dense multilayer at the interface and compactly pack oil droplets, endowing HIPPEs with higher viscoelasticity, greater storage stability, and stronger protection against lipid and protein oxidation than other WPH-based HIPPEs do, especially in cases of olive oil-HIPPEs. Our results demonstrated that the interfacial structure of WPH-flavonoid complexes play a major role in the emulsion stabilization efficiency, followed by the type of oil. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Induction of antiherbivore defense responses in poplars using a methyl jasmonate and mesoporous silica nanoparticle complex.

Poplar in China has long been plagued by the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea. Enhancing plant immunity using chemical elicitors is an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. The phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can stimulate the chemical defenses of poplars against herbivores but has been shown to have limited efficacy in practice. Here, we studied the effects of a MeJA and mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) complex (MeJA@MSN) regarding the induction of poplar resistance to H. cunea, which may provide strategies for the effective use of MeJA. The silicon-based phytohormone complex (MeJA@MSNs) exhibited excellent biological and physiochemical properties, such as excellent biocompatibility and plant tissue transportability. The changes in metabolites in poplar leaves induced by MeJA, MSNs, and MeJA@MSNs were investigated by metabolic analysis. MeJA@MSNs led to highly potent induced resistance along with elevated salicylaldehyde content, which increased with the dose administered. The salicylaldehyde metabolite showed a strong antifeedant effect on H. cunea larvae at a dosage of 1 μg, with the 50% lethal dose being 20.4 μg/mg. Furthermore, transcriptional analysis showed that MeJA@MSNs upregulated key genes in biosynthetic pathways more than MeJA and MSNs. Our results show that MeJA and MSNs interact positively in poplar, leading to salicylaldehyde accumulation and increased induced resistance to H. cunea, providing new insights into the underlying resistance mechanisms induced by MeJA@MSNs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The first and cost-effective nano-biocomposite ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 as efficient UV photocatalysts for ethylparaben decomposition

Organic micropollutants are considered as dangerous wastes to aquatic environments, which threaten the life of living beings. The efficacious removal of these pollutants from surrounding aquatic ecosystems has been taken into consideration in water refinery technologies. In this study, a bio-nanocomposite was developed through a green approach involving self-assembly of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with zinc [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin] complex (ZnPor) and TiO2 nanoparticles using reflux method. This organic/inorganic hybrid material was characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, EIS, RAMAN, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The band-gap energies were found to range from 3.32 eV for GO to 2.35 eV for ZnPor/rGO/TiO2, indicating the composites behave as semiconductor materials. The photocatalytic activity was highest for the ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 composite based on 200 mL ZnPor addition during the synthesis process, achieving 98.1 % degradation of the model pollutant ethylparaben after only 20 min of UV treatment. The rGO facilitates electron-hole separation and transportation, while the ZnPor broadens the light absorption range and improves charge transfer. The TiO2 nanoparticles provide the primary photocatalytic sites. These synergistic effects enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the ZnPor/rGO/TiO2 system. This green-synthesized, eco-friendly, and highly efficient photocatalyst shows great promise for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater.

AuNPs-based lateral flow strip genotoxicity biosensor by sensitive quantification of 8-oxodGuo

Development of rapid and sensitive methods for screening of large number of chemical pollutants with potential genotoxicity is in urgent demands. In this work, we reported a chemical genotoxicity sensor based on the lateral flow strip (LFS) quantification of the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo). The proposed sensing strategy introduced human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG 1) and human apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE 1) to convert 8-oxodGuo to strand break. Then, the DNA conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) complexes could not be captured on test line (T-line), showing visible red color fading. Additionally, the mean grey value of the optical density in the T-line zone was analyzed by using a mobile phone camera and Image J software to quantify 8-oxodGuo. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the LFS DNA biosensor could detect the lowest concentration of 8-oxodGuo down to 0.2 pmol. To demonstrate its universal applications, in vitro generation of 8-oxodGuo by Rose Bengal under irradiation and Fe2+-mediated Fenton reagent were successfully measured. The detection limit of oxidative DNA damage induced by Rose Bengal or Fenton reagent could be down to 0.01 μM or 1 nM Fe2+/4 nM H2O2, respectively. The 10-fold higher sensitivity for Fenton reagent was attributed to much more severe damage than Rose Bengal, producing both DNA strand break and nucleobases conversion. The results demonstrated that the LFS DNA biosensor could detect oxidative DNA damage for the first time, showing its potential application for assessment of the genotoxicity of abundant chemical pollutants.

Continuous preparation of hydro-alcoholic gel with antimicrobial complex nanoparticles via cascaded reactive confined impinging jets micromixing

Hand hygiene was crucial for suppressing a spread of infectious diseases. A gel hand sanitizer (GHS) can be used in circumstances of a water shortage and suitable for outdoor usages. A hydro-alcoholic gel formation required mixing a viscous aqueous solution of a thickener with an alcohol solution of a gelling reagent. The homogeneity of the mixing and the gelling reaction dominantly affected the product quality and the expiration period. Moreover, a GHS was typically only able to kill the pathogens rather than also to inhibit a successive pathogen growth. To overcome this mixing issue as well as prolong antimicrobial persistence, this study employed a confined impinging jets (CIJ) microreactor to generate a GHS with suspending antimicrobial nanoparticles of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)/Zn(II)/proanthocyanidins (PAC) via the reactive flash nanoprecipitation (RFNP), intensifying shear thinning in turbulent mixing. The pressure drops and the energy consumption of the CIJ micromixing were theoretically analyzed. The developed process was continuous, effective and energy-saving and the device was compact but capable of massively producing the GHS, enabling a distributed production and beneficial to infection controls in undeveloped areas.

Degradation of salicylic acid coordinated to Fe3O4 nanoparticles by H2O2

Salicylic acid (SA) has strong tendency to form complexes with iron (III). Depending upon the concentrations of SA, the complexes formed are FeR+, FeR2+, FeR32+where R represents salicylate ion (-OC₆H₄COO-). Fe3O4 nanoparticles binds with the salicylate ions through the sites having Fe3+ and at the site containing Fe2+ reacts with H2O2 to produces OH* radicals. The OH* radicals oxidise the salicylic acid attached to Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Thus, the degradation occurs through the formation of SA-Fe3O4 nanoparticles complexes and then followed by the reaction with H2O2 at the nanoparticle site. FT-IR, TGA were used to confirm the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as well as to investigate SA-Fe3O4 nanoparticles complex formation and the degradation of the complex by H2O2. Spectrophotometric studies were employed for the monitoring of the degradation of SA at the surface. Here, the nanoparticles act as platform to which both the reactants SA and H2O2 get activated and the degradation reaction occurs. The concentrations of SA, H2O2, nanoparticle dosage, surfactants and polymers were changed and the % degradation were noted. It has been observed that the degradation percentage decreased with the increase in nanoparticle dosage, [surfactant] and [polymers]. The [H2O2] and [HClO4] gave peaked-like curve for the degradation of SA for the plot of % degradation versus concentrations of H2O2 and HClO4. Degradation of SA was observed maximum at [H2O2](= 8.0 × 10−4 mol dm−3) and at [HClO4] (= 1.0 × 10−2 mol dm−3).

Development of New Light-Dimming Film Using Black Electrochromic Inks

Windows serve the purpose of allowing people to see outside from inside. However, excessive sunlight and heat can enter through windows, disrupting the indoor thermal environment. In the case of vehicles, heat can accumulate quickly in the enclosed space, and temperatures on dashboards can exceed 80°C in summer, jeopardizing the comfort and safety of passengers and drivers without proper heat shielding measures. Our research group is developing a new light-dimming film that can be used for automotive applications. This light-dimming film uses electrochromic principles to produce color change and heat shielding properties through electrochemical effects caused by the application of voltage. This light-dimming film can be fabricated using a wet coating process, which is expected to be highly productive, low-cost, and easily applicable to large-area applications. We are developing a complementary device by combining Prussian blue (PB)-type complex nanoparticles and tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles (NPs). In this prototype device configuration, the electrochemical response produces a colorless transparent state and a dark blue color change, and when colored, the transmittance in the near-infrared region can be reduced to 1% or less. When applied to automobile windows, the performance of cutting heat rays contained in sunlight under hot weather can reduce the air conditioning load, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption or electricity costs in EV vehicles. On the other hand, this dark blue colored state has design issues such as matching with car body color and luxury. To solve these issues, this research is exploring and developing new black electrochromic material such as CuO nanoparticles, etc. In PRiME, we report on the progress in the development of the black electrochromic materials.

Innovative CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticles and polytetrafluoroethylene for enhanced antifouling coatings

Based on current research, a highly effective, completely biocompatible, and eco-friendly antifouling method was developed. Sepia pharaonis was used to synthesize melanin nanoparticles from its ink. To improve the anti-biofouling characteristics, CuO nanoparticles were synthesized from Padina sp., and a CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticle complex was created under reflux. The XRD spectrum of the hybrid nanoparticles revealed several prominent peaks, indicating the crystalline structure of the nanoparticles. An EDS analysis identified copper, carbon, and oxygen in the hybrid nanoparticles. According to FE-SEM analysis, CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticles displayed spherical morphology, with sizes ranging from 15 nm to 55 nm. DLS analysis showed that the hydrodynamic diameter of CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticles was 187.5 nm. The biological test showed that CuO-melanin nanoparticles had the highst effect on marine bacteria (Phaeobacter sp. (6.25 μg/mL), Alteromonas sp. (12.5 μg/mL)), and algae (Isochrysis galbana Parke) (99 %) after 48 h. The CuO-melanin (3 wt%) exhibited the lowest pseudo-barnacle adhesion strength at 0.021 MPa and the lowest surface free energy, measuring 14.22 mN/m. The field immersion study in a marine environment showed that among the panels tested, the one containing 3 wt% CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticles with polytetrafluoroethylene yielded the most favorable and efficient outcome, since it led to the lowest measured weight of biofouling at 26.44 g. The findings of this study show that CuO-melanin hybrid nanoparticles combined with polytetrafluoroethylene exhibit highly promising characteristics, make them appealing for antifouling applications.

Performance of delaying release and reducing adsorption of polyethyleneimine/poly(vinyl sulfonate) polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles in polyacrylamide/polyethyleneimine gel system

Polyacrylamide/Polyethyleneimine (HPAM/PEI) is an environmentally friendly and promising gel system. However, inadequate gelation time and retention of the cross-linker (polyethyleneimine, PEI) during migration pose significant challenges for effective water control treatment in deep reservoirs. Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PECs) have demonstrated the ability to efficiently encapsulate PEI, facilitating for its gradual release. To achieve this, a cost-effective polyanionic complex, poly(vinyl sulfonate) (PVS), was employed to form PECs with PEI. By adjusting the mixing ratio of PEI and PVS, stable PECs suspensions with varying charges were successfully produced. These stable PECs exhibited spherical shapes with a particle size distribution ranging from 127.3–442.71 nm, and an average particle size of approximately 200 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of PEI by PECs varied from 64.56 % to 86.14 %. Under different conditions, 55.12 % to 90.26 % of PEI could be released from PECs. Increased temperatures, higher ionic strengths, and greater deviations in pH from the initial state of the PECs suspension all facilitated the release of PEI. The most stable PECs delayed the gelation time of the HPAM/PEI system to 9.5 days, which is twice the base gelation time of 4.5 days. The strength of mature HPAM/PEI (PECs) gels increased by 8.95 Pa in storage modulus (G′) compared to HPAM/PEI at the same concentration, albeit with a reduced linear viscoelastic region. And, the PECs-based delayed crosslinking method does not negatively affect the mechanical strength of the HPAM/PEI gel system, and thus its water control ability, under reservoir conditions. On the other hand, the static adsorption of PEI encapsulated by anionic PECs on sand decreased to one-fourth of that of free PEI (PEI solution). Additionally, the breakthrough of PEI encapsulated in anionic PECs in fractured sandstone cores was significantly advanced compared to free PEI.

Co-Mn Complex Oxide Nanoparticles as Potential Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Agents for Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and age-related lung disease that has few treatment options. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the introduction and development of IPF. In the present study, we developed multifunctional Cobalt (Co)-Manganese (Mn) complex oxide nanoparticles (Co-MnNPs), which can scavenge multiple types of ROS. Benefiting from ROS scavenging activities and good biosafety, Co-MnNPs can suppress canonical and non-canonical TGF-β pathways and, thus, inhibit the activation of fibroblasts and the productions of extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the scavenging of ROS by Co-MnNPs reduce the LPS-induced expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in macrophages, by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, Co-MnNPs can reduce the excessive extracellular matrix deposition and inflammatory responses in lungs and, thus, alleviate pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) in mice. Taken together, this work offers an anti-fibrotic agent for treatment of IPF and other ROS-related diseases.

The use of gold and magnetite-gold composite nanoparticles for the enhanced detection of Salmonella LT2 cells under photoacoustic flow cytometry

Photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) is an emerging technology that has generated significant interest in several research fields, particularly in bacteremia. The application of functionalised nanoparticles like gold and iron oxide-gold complex (Fe3O4-Au) has been realised to enhance the photoacoustic (PA) detection of bacteria cells under PAFC systems. Inclusively, the bacteria cell concentrations are statistically quantified through the number of time-signal detection counts. This study uses a similar technique by using gold (Au) and magnetite-gold complex (Fe3O4-Au) nanoparticles in the PAFC system to improve the detection of Salmonella LT2 (SLT2) cells under 532 nm laser irradiation, resulting in over a 200 % increase. However, this study’s contribution comes from the post-processing and analysis of PA time signals after exposing various concentrations of SLT2 cells. Upon fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of time signals, a distinct peak frequency at 2.75 MHz was significantly attributed to SLT2 as its likely acoustic frequency fingerprint, even at its lowest concentrations (10 CFU/ml). Furthermore, an electromagnetic wave simulation (optical scattering and heat transfer in fluids) was employed to distinguish the PA and Photothermal contributions of the nanoparticles in the system. The resulting data consolidates the continuous wave transform (CWT) of the time signal, where 22.5 – 30 µs was strongly affiliated with PA, and 32–40 µs was that of the photo-thermal-acoustic effect—indicating that both signals can be used to detect and potentially confirm the eradication of SLT2 cells. Overall, magnetised Fe3O4-Au nanoparticles yielded more efficiency through its reproducible PA time signals with 0.84 standard deviations, and its 2.75 MHz frequency peak area matches most accurately with the SLT2 cell concentration by 97.3 %.

Neurotoxicity, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity of Phyto-radio Synthesized Selenium Nanoparticles in Culex pipiens Complex.

Effective mosquito management strategies are crucial to minimize the number of mosquito-borne diseases. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are promising in mosquito control because they are effective and eco-friendly rather than synthetic insecticides. The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of SeNPs on the detoxification enzymes, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and α-carboxyl esterase (α-CarE), in larval instars of Culex pipiens complex at the LC50 concentration. In 3rd instar larvae treated with microwave-assisted selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-MW) and gamma-assisted selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-G), it was found that AChE activity was significantly inhibited. On the other hand, significant increases in GST and α-CarE activities were observed. Additionally, genotoxic and ultrastructure studies of midgut epithelial cells in 3rd instar larvae revealed DNA damage and cell lysis, including destruction of the cell membrane, microvilli, and nuclei. These findings suggest that SeNPs have an adverse effect on AChE gene expression, resulting in its downregulation. This downregulation can be attributed to the formation of reactive oxygen species induced by SeNPs that can modulate the host defense mechanism leading to apoptosis and subsequent larval mortality. The present study was the first to use phyto-microwave-assisted and gamma-assisted synthesis of SeNPs which provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to reduce the risk of chemical insecticides. Furthermore, an integrated pest management program (IPM) using nanocides can be successfully developed for mosquito control.

Dual-functional boron nitride boosts photothermal conversion performance and thermal conductivity of wood-inspired cellulose-based phase change materials for infrared stealth and personal thermal management

Phase change materials (PCMs) can absorb heat energy from the sunlight and release thermal energy to keep the thermal comfort of humans in harsh cold environments. However, the leakage problem, low photothermal conversion performance, and poor thermal conductivity limit their practical applications. Herein, a wood structure-inspired porous cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) aerogel was used to relieve the leakage problem of lauryl alcohol PCM. A novel boron nitride (BN)/silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) complex was fabricated by using gallic acid as a green reduction agent and used to enhance photothermal conversion performance and thermal conductivity of CNFs/lauryl alcohol composite. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and unique heat transfer paths of BN/Ag complex endow the resulting CNFs-based PCM with extraordinary photothermal conversion capacity (surface temperature of 58.2 ℃ under 1 kW m−2) and higher thermal conductivity. Combined with the high phase change enthalpy (172.90 J g−1), the resulting CNFs-based PCM showed potential applications in infrared stealth and personal thermal management fields. This work will open up a new avenue for fabricating a novel photothermal BN/Ag complex and provide a new idea for developing a multifunctional CNFs-based PCM for multi-scenario applications.