Nanoscale Materials Research Articles

Nanotechnology in prosthodontics – Small particles big impact

Nearly every aspect of research and development has been significantly impacted by nanotechnology. Notably, nanotechnology is also having an impact on the fields of health and dentistry by utilising its enormous potential. When compared to bulk material, nanoparticles have proven to be far more powerful. Because of its unusual size, it is much easier to change and improve a variety of features, including surface chemistry, charge, bonding ability, and different biological properties. Richard P. Feynman, a late Nobel Prize-winning physicist, developed the idea in 1959. The area was researched in the years that followed for the creation of nanoscale devices and nanosized particles to produce improved qualities. Regularly used dental materials with limitations of inferior physical and biologic qualities can be changed with nanoparticles to improve the material's inherent properties while staying within budgetary constraints. Unique qualities of a nanoscale material may not only have a significant impact on its biological properties, such as cytotoxicity and biocompatibility, but also on its physical properties, such as tensile strength, fracture resistance, and surface hydrophobicity.

Innovative Applications of Nanocellulose in 3D Printing: A Review.

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are nanoscale materials with unique mechanical properties and geometry that attract considerable interest in recent years for a wide range of applications. This review pays special attention to the recent progress of CNFs and CNCs assisted 3D printing in medicine, food, engineering, and architecture fields. Various types of CNFs and CNCs used for 3D printing are summarized. The addition of nanocellulose improves the printability and quality of printed objects in certain cases, leading to greater accuracy and durability. The created functional structures with specific properties have promising applications in various fields such as medicine and food preservation and viscosity enhancement. Finally, this work highlights the transformative potential of nanocellulose-assisted 3D printing to revolutionize a range of fields and the need for continued research and development to overcome current technical challenges.

A Personal Journey in Nanoscience via Developing and Applying Liquid Phase TEM

AbstractLiquid phase TEM has attracted widespread attention in recent years as a groundbreaking tool to address various fundamental problems in nanoscience. It has provided the opportunity to reveal many unseen dynamic phenomena of nanoscale materials in solution processes by direct imaging through liquids with high spatial and temporal resolution. After my earlier work on real‐time imaging of the nucleation, growth, and dynamic motion of nanoparticles in liquids by developing high‐resolution liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) down to the sub‐nanometer level, I established my own research group at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in 2010. My group focuses on developing and applying liquid phase TEM to investigate complex systems and reactions. We have studied a set of scientific problems centered on understanding how atomic level heterogeneity and fluctuations at solid‐liquid interfaces impact nanoscale materials transformations using advanced liquid phase TEM. This article describes my personal journey in nanoscience, highlighting the main discoveries of my research group using liquid phase TEM as a unique tool. Some perspectives on the impacts of liquid phase TEM and the future opportunities in nanoscience and nanotechnology enabled by liquid phase TEM are also included.

Nonlinear Magnetic Sensing with Hybrid Nitrogen-Vacancy/Magnon Systems.

Magnetic sensing beyond the linear regime could broaden the frequency range of detectable magnetic fields, which is crucial to various microwave and quantum applications. Recently, nonlinear interactions in diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are proposed to realize magnetic sensing across arbitrary frequencies. In this work, we enhanced these capabilities by exploiting the nonlinear spin dynamics in hybrid systems of NV centers and ferri- or ferromagnetic (FM) thin films. We studied the frequency mixing effect in the hybrid systems and demonstrated that the introduction of FM films not only amplifies the intensity of nonlinear resonance signals that are intrinsic to NV spins but also enables novel frequency mixing through parametric pumping and nonlinear magnon scattering effects. The discovery and understanding of the magnetic nonlinearities in hybrid NV/magnon systems position them as a prime candidate for magnetic sensing with a broad frequency range and high tunability, particularly meaningful for nanoscale, dynamical, and noninvasive materials characterization.

A comprehensive study on methylene blue removal via polymer and protein nanoparticle adsorbents

Water pollution, particularly from industrial contaminants such as dyes, is a significant global concern. Various technologies, including nanoscale materials, are employed for water and wastewater treatment. Among these, adsorption process as an effective method due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. This study comprised both theoretical and experimental phases. Initially, computer simulations were utilized to evaluate the interaction between methylene blue and three selected nanoparticles, ultimately choosing Bovine Serum Albumin protein nanoadsorbent based on energy considerations. Subsequently, adsorption experiments were conducted using this nanosorbent. The results indicated a maximum dye removal efficiency of 69% under the conditions of pH 11, an initial dye concentration of 100 mg/L, an adsorbent dose of 0.5 g/L, a contact time of 60 min, and an optimal temperature of 25 °C. The maximum adsorption capacity under optimal conditions was found to be 38.52 mg/g. Additionally, the adsorption isotherm followed the Langmuir equation, and the kinetics adhered to the pseudo-second-order model.

Resonance-Amplified Terahertz Near-Field Spectroscopy of a Single Nanowire.

Nanoscale material systems are central to next-generation optoelectronic and quantum technologies, yet their development remains hindered by limited characterization tools, particularly at terahertz (THz) frequencies. Far-field THz spectroscopy techniques lack the sensitivity for investigating individual nanoscale systems, whereas in near-field THz nanoscopy, surface states, disorder, and sample-tip interactions often mask the response of the entire nanoscale system. Here, we present a THz resonance-amplified near-field spectroscopy technique that can detect subtle conductivity changes in isolated nanoscale systems─such as a single InAs nanowire─under ultrafast photoexcitation. By exploiting the spatial localization and resonant field enhancement in the gap of a bowtie antenna, our approach enables precise measurements of the nanostructures through shifts in the antenna resonant frequency, offering a direct means of extracting the system response, and unlocking investigations of ultrafast charge-carrier dynamics in isolated nanoscale and microscale systems.

Bottom‐up Synthesis of Piezoelectric Covalent Triazine‐based Nanotube for Hydrogen Peroxide Production from Water and Air

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanoscale tubular materials with superior mechanical strength and electronic properties. However, the conventional CNTs are inherently non‐piezoelectric, mainly due to the lack of polar structures with pure carbon elements. The direct synthesis of fully conjugated and polarized organic nanotubes with desired piezoelectric properties remains a challenge. Herein, we report the bottom‐up synthesis of a new type of covalent triazine‐based nanotube (CTN‐1) as a novel piezoelectric material. The CTN‐1 comprises of high surface area, nitrogen‐rich and fully conjugated structure, which provides a series of merits for piezoelectric catalytic processes. These structural features combined with one‐dimensional tubular morphology endow CTN‐1 with excellent mechanical stimuli response and thus displaying prominent piezoelectric properties via pronounced nanocurvature effect. We further show that the CTN‐1 enables the efficient synthesis of H2O2 from water in the air via mechanical energy conversion, with an excellent piezocatalytic H2O2 evolution rate of 4115 μmol g‐1 h‐1, which exceeds all other reported piezoelectric materials. The piezocatalysis by the CTN‐1 can be practically integrated into a self‐Fenton system, which exhibits excellent pollutant degradation capability. This work demonstrates the enormous potential of a new type of piezoelectric synthetic nanotube from organic frameworks for the in‐situ synthesis valuable chemicals.

Bottom-up Synthesis of Piezoelectric Covalent Triazine-based Nanotube for Hydrogen Peroxide Production from Water and Air.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanoscale tubular materials with superior mechanical strength and electronic properties. However, the conventional CNTs are inherently non-piezoelectric, mainly due to the lack of polar structures with pure carbon elements. The direct synthesis of fully conjugated and polarized organic nanotubes with desired piezoelectric properties remains a challenge. Herein, we report the bottom-up synthesis of a new type of covalent triazine-based nanotube (CTN-1) as a novel piezoelectric material. The CTN-1 comprises of high surface area, nitrogen-rich and fully conjugated structure, which provides a series of merits for piezoelectric catalytic processes. These structural features combined with one-dimensional tubular morphology endow CTN-1 with excellent mechanical stimuli response and thus displaying prominent piezoelectric properties via pronounced nanocurvature effect. We further show that the CTN-1 enables the efficient synthesis of H2O2 from water in the air via mechanical energy conversion, with an excellent piezocatalytic H2O2 evolution rate of 4115 μmol g-1 h-1, which exceeds all other reported piezoelectric materials. The piezocatalysis by the CTN-1 can be practically integrated into a self-Fenton system, which exhibits excellent pollutant degradation capability. This work demonstrates the enormous potential of a new type of piezoelectric synthetic nanotube from organic frameworks for the in-situ synthesis valuable chemicals.

Confinement Effects and Manipulation Strategies of Nanocomposite Membranes towards Molecular Separation

AbstractMaterials featuring well‐defined nanoscale channels offer inherent advantages in the selective transport of gases, liquids, and ions, making them pivotal in applications such as molecular separation, catalysis and energy storage. A crucial challenge lies in assembling ordered nanochannel structures and translating these microscopic architectures into macroscopic regular distributions to enhance performance. Nanocomposites provide a promising solution by incorporating nanoscale material (e.g., filler) that significantly enhances macroscale properties of matrix (e.g., polymer). In this review, we spotlight nanocomposite membranes nanocomposite membranes that utilize confinement effects between filler and matrix to precisely control nanochannel apertures, surface properties, and channel distribution for efficient separation of target systems. We discussed the underlying design principles, channel architectures, and strategies for optimizing polymer‐filler interfaces and nanochannel manipulation within functional membranes. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental mechanisms of mass transport, and the structure‐property‐performance relationships within the nanocomposite membranes towards molecular separation. This work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these nanocomposite membranes can be further developed to meet the demands of industrial and environmental applications.

Evaluation of Ruthenium Oxide Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts: Efficiency in Organic Dye Degradation and Environmental Impact Studies

ABSTRACTOne of the most promising nanoscale materials for photodegradation is ruthenium oxide nanoparticles, which are abbreviated as RuO2 nanoparticles. Ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (RuO2 NPs) are promising nanomaterials for photodegradation. Several research methods have examined their size, phase study, and shape. We also examined RuO2 nanoparticle photocatalysis in rhodamine‐B (RhB) and acridine orange (AO) dyes degradation. We discovered that these nanoparticles were highly photocatalytic when exposed to UV light. This non‐toxic method uses no solvents. Analyzing synthesized RuO2 nanoparticles required FESEM, XRD, XPS (x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared), and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The newly synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for catalytic activity by degrading RhB and AO dyes. After the first‐order reaction, kinetics determined the photocatalytic efficiency against RhB and AO dyes, which degraded at 84% and 82%, respectively. A tamarind plant study found no phytotoxicity in treated effluents. RuO2 catalysts degrade organic dyes in industrial wastewater efficiently and inexpensively. The study shows RuO2 nanoparticles as very effective photocatalysts for degrading organic dyes, exhibiting better performance than conventional materials. In addition, it assesses the phytotoxicity of RuO2 nanoparticles, offering valuable information about their environmental consequences and safety for prospective widespread application.

Inducing Efficient and Multiwavelength Circularly Polarized Emission From Perovskite Nanocrystals Using Chiral Metasurfaces.

Chiral nano-emitters have recently received great research attention due to their technological applications and the need for a fundamental scientific understanding of the structure-property nexus of these nanoscale materials. Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) with many interesting optical properties have anticipated great promise for generating chiral emission. However, inducing high anisotropy chiral emission from achiral perovskite NCs remains challenging. Although chiral ligands have been used to induce chirality, their anisotropy factors (glum) are low [10-3 to 10-2]. Herein, the generation of high anisotropy circularly polarized photoluminescence (CPL) from LHP NCs is demonstrated using chiral metasurfaces by depositing nanocrystals on top of prefabricated resonant photonic structures (2D gammadion arrays). This scalable approach results in CPL with glum to a record high of 0.56 for perovskite NCs. Furthermore, the differences between high-index dielectric chiral metasurfaces and metallic ones are explored for inducing chiral emission. More importantly, the generation of simultaneous multi-wavelength circularly polarized light is demonstrated by combining dielectric and metallic chiral metasurfaces.

Nanometer-Scale 1D Negative Differential Resistance Channels in Van Der Waals Layers.

Negative differential resistance (NDR) is the key feature of resonant tunneling diodes exploited for high-frequency and low-power devices and recent studies have focused on NDR in van der Waals heterostructures and nanoscale materials. Here, strong NDR confined along a 1-nm-wide 1D channel within a van der Waals layer 1T-TaS2 is reported. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, a double 1D NDR channel formed along the sides of a charge-density-wave domain wall of 1T-TaS2 is found. The density functional theory calculation elucidates that the strong local band-bending at the domain wall and the interlayer orbital overlap cooperate to bring about 1D NDR channels. Furthermore, the NDR is well controlled by changing the tunneling junction distance. This result would be important for nanoscale device applications based on strong nonlinear resistance within van der Waals material architectures.

Recent Progress and Applications of Advanced Nanomaterials in Solid-Phase Extraction.

Sample preparation maintains a key bottleneck in the whole analytical procedure. Solid-phase sorbents (SPSs) have garnered increasing attention in sample preparation research due to their crucial roles in achieving high clean-up and enrichment efficiency in the analysis of trace targets present in complex matrices. Novel nanoscale materials with improved characteristics have garnered considerable interest across different scientific disciplines due to the limited capabilities of traditional bulk-scale materials. The purpose of this review is to offer a thorough summary of the latest developments and uses of SPSs in preparing samples for chromatographic analysis, focusing on the years 2020-2024. The techniques for preparing SPSs are examined, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and metallic nanomaterials (MNs). Examining the pros and cons of different extraction methods, including solid-phase extraction (SPE), magnetic SPE (MSPE), flow-based SPE (FBA-SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), and dispersive SPE (DSPE), is the main focus. Furthermore, this article presents the utilization of SPE technology for isolating common contaminants in various environmental, biological, and food specimens. We highlight the persistent challenges in SPSs and anticipate future advancements and applications of novel SPSs.

Nanorevolution Unleashing the Power of Nanotechnology

Abstract: Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, has been an extraordi-nary scientific frontier that has revolutionized various fields, with one of the most promising ap-plications being in the realm of medicine. Nanomedicine, an interdisciplinary field at the intersec-tion of nanotechnology and medicine, holds tremendous potential to transform the landscape of healthcare, diagnosis, and treatment. This abstract delves into the burgeoning advancements of nanotechnology in nanomedicine, highlighting its significance, potential benefits, and ethical con-siderations. The primary focus of nanomedicine is to engineer and utilize nanoscale materials, such as nano-particles and nanostructures, to improve the effectiveness and precision of medical interventions. Nano-sized drug delivery systems can target specific cells or tissues, enhancing therapeutic out-comes and reducing side effects. These nanocarriers can penetrate biological barriers and accu-mulate at disease sites, enabling more efficient drug delivery and increasing the bioavailability of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, nanotechnology has opened new horizons in medical imaging. Nanoparticles can be engineered to be responsive to certain diseases or conditions, providing val-uable information for early detection and precise diagnosis. Novel contrast agents based on na-nomaterials have the potential to revolutionize imaging techniques, offering higher sensitivity and specificity, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Beyond diagnostics and drug delivery, nanotechnology is fostering breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Nanomaterials can act as scaffolds, guiding tissue repair and promoting cellular regen-eration. By harnessing the unique properties of nanoscale materials, tissue engineering, and organ transplantation may witness unparalleled advancements, bringing hope to countless patients awaiting life-saving treatments. However, the unprecedented potential of nanomedicine also rais-es ethical concerns that demand careful consideration. As nanotechnology progresses, concerns about the safety of nanomaterials, potential toxicity, and long-term effects must be addressed to ensure responsible and sustainable development.

Innovative Nanotechnological Approaches in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery: A Comprehensive Review.

The application of nanotechnology to health has been one of the revolutionizing factors in the field of trauma and orthopaedic surgery over the last decade. Advances in nanomedicine, in comparison to conventional modes of treatment, have influenced immensely the approach towards trauma and orthopaedic surgery and provided some unique answers to some very complex problems like bone reconstruction, soft tissue repair, and prevention of infection. The current narrative review intends to underpin an extensive analysis of modern applications and recent advances in nanotechnology-driven therapies in orthopaedics. Having leveraged unique properties inherent in nanoparticles and nanoscale materials, novel interventions, such as nanostructured scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and bioactive coatings, have flourished into a variety of promising means to enhance osseointegration, accelerate the healing process, and reduce postoperative complications. This review at once acknowledges the huge potential of these technologies and some of the problems impeding their wide-range clinical application, including long-term safety, main regulatory hurdles, and scale-up issues. The following review aims to give orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and biomedical engineers an overview of the present status and perspectives for the future regarding nanomedicine in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, pointing out the expectations of a much-improved outcome in patients and overall quality of life.

Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye using PEG@ZnS:Au and PVP@ZnS:Au nanoparticles

The textile industry significant contribution to water pollution necessitates the development of innovative solutions for efficient wastewater treatment. This study reports the successful synthesis of PEG@ZnS:Au and PVP@ZnS:Au nanoparticles via co-precipitation method, characterized by a suite of analytical techniques including photoluminescence (PL), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated, revealing that PEG@ZnS:Au and PVP@ZnS:Au nanoparticles degraded 94.25 % and 91.45 % of rhodamine B dye, respectively, within a 30-minute timeframe, showcasing their exceptional catalytic performance. Kinetic studies revealed pseudo-first-order behavior, conforming to the Langmuir isotherm model, with an endothermic adsorption process. The degradation process is mediated by forming reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated by electron-hole pairs upon photoexcitation. This research underscores the potential of nanoscale materials for enhanced photocatalysis. It provides valuable insights into developing efficient wastewater treatment strategies, highlighting a promising approach for mitigating the environmental impact of textile industry effluents.

Ni substituted aluminum doped zinc titanate (AZNT) nano-particles: synthesis and characterization

We synthesized a series of Nickel-substituted Aluminium doped Zinc Titanate (AZNT) nano-particles using hydrothermal method. The structure of synthesized samples was meticulously analyzed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) while the lattice parameters, crystallite size and volume were calculated with utmost precision. The morphology was further examined using two advanced microscopy techniques Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). These techniques provide detailed imaging and analysis of nano-scale materials. FESEM involves usage of electron beam to scan the surface of a sample and the sample's grain size was estimated. The study investigated the dielectric properties within a frequency range of 10Hz to 50MHz. The dielectric constants and impedance parameters were analyzed. The physical properties of the samples, as determined through these methods, hold promise for practical applications in super capacitors and energy storage devices, offering a glimpse into a potentially transformative future in energy technology.

Application of the Nirmala Index in Nanotechnology: Optimizing Molecular Structures for Advanced Nanomaterials

Abstract Chemical graph theory has played a key role in advancing our understanding of molecular structure by producing degree-based topological indices that forecast crucial physical and chemical properties. In this paper we attempt to investigate this recently defined Nirmala index as an invariant from different topological angles and applications on multiple molecular graph structures such as triangular, double, and alternate quadrilateral snake structures. This index offers a more profound comprehension of the connections between molecular structures and attributes. The next generation of ground breaking developments in nanotechnology, where the creation of devices and functional nanomaterials hinges on molecular interaction at the nanoscale, may also be greatly influenced by this index. These indices have potential applications in drug delivery systems and in molecular structure optimization related to nanotechnological fields like nanophotonics and nanoelectronics. Consequently, the Nirmala index will pave the way for the development of more sophisticated tools for the production of high-performing nanoscale materials.

GdVO4:Eu3+ and LaVO4:Eu3+ Nanoparticles Exacerbate Oxidative Stress in L929 Cells: Potential Implications for Cancer Therapy.

The therapeutic potential of redox-active nanoscale materials as antioxidant- or reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducing agents was intensely studied. Herein, we demonstrate that the synthesized and characterized GdVO4:Eu3+ and LaVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles, which have been already shown to have redox-active, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound healing properties, both in vitro and in vivo, worsen oxidative stress of L929 cells triggered by hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) at the concentrations that are safe for intact L929 cells. This effect was observed upon internalization of the investigated nanosized materials and is associated with the cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-9 without recruitment of caspase-8. Such changes in the caspase cascade indicate activation of the intrinsic caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial but not the extrinsic death, receptor-mediated, and caspase-8-dependent apoptotic pathway. The GdVO4:Eu3+ and LaVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticle-induced apoptosis of oxidatively compromised L929 cells is mediated by ROS overgeneration, Ca2+ overload, endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3). Our findings demonstrate that GdVO4:Eu3+ and LaVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles aggravate the oxidative stress-induced damage to L929 cells, indicating that they might potentially be applied as anti-cancer agents.

Metal-Organic Framework and Covalent-Organic Framework-Based Aerogels: Synthesis, Functionality, and Applications.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs)-based aerogels are garnering significant attention owing to their unique chemical and structural properties. These materials harmoniously combine the advantages of MOFs and COFs-such as high surface area, customizable porosity, and varied chemical functionality-with the lightweight and structured porosity characteristic of aerogels. This combination opens up new avenues for advanced applications in fields where material efficiency and enhanced functionality are critical. This review provides a comparative overview of the synthetic strategies utilized to produce pristine MOF/COF aerogels as well as MOF/COF-based hybrid aerogels, which are functionalized with molecular precursors and nanoscale materials. The versatility of these aerogels positions them as promising candidates for addressing complex challenges in environmental remediation, energy storage and conversion, sustainable water-energy technologies, and chemical separations. Furthermore, this study discusses the current challenges and future prospects related to the synthesis techniques and applications of MOF/COF aerogels.