Single Nano Research Articles

Structural, electronic and conductive properties of single wall MgGeN2 nanotube: A first principles investigation

MgGeN2 is a type II-IV-V2 semiconductor with a wide band gap which have previously been studied in bulk, monolayer, and multilayer form. We have investigated single wall MgGeN2 nanotubes in different orientations and diameters by ab initio calculations. It was found that the band gap is strongly dependent on the type and diameter of the tubes, ranging from 2.1 to 2.6 eV. Moreover, the migration of electrons is favored instead of holes. The obtained results also suggest that the radius- and orientation-dependent single wall MgGeN2 nano tubes are promising for optoelectronics and photocatalysis.

In-situ prepared co exsolution nano catalyst for efficient hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition

Active and durable catalytic material for ammonia (NH3) decomposition reaction is attracting attentions for utilization of NH3 as an innovative hydrogen carrier. In this study, diverse single metal and alloy nano catalysts are prepared via in-situ exsolution method and their NH3 decomposition properties are evaluated. Transition metal cations (Ni, Co, Fe ions) are doped into the La0.43Ca0.37MxNyTi1-(x+y)O3-δ (LCMNT) perovskite oxide structure and exsolved on its surface as supported nano particles under reduction condition. The maximum doping level and chemical composition of exsolution catalysts are investigated to optimize their NH3 decomposition activity. The exsolution catalyst demonstrates improved NH3 decomposition characteristics compared to conventionally prepared infiltration catalysts, indicating higher conversion efficiency and H2 production rate. The exsolved nano catalysts also exhibit great thermochemical stability against catalyst agglomeration or surface nitriding. The results obtained in this study suggest the potential utilization of exsolution catalysts for on-site production of H2 through NH3 decomposition catalysis.

Guiding the Choice of Carbon Nanotubes Conductive Additives for Silicon Anode Electrode through Microstructure Scale Analysis

Silicon anode electrodes exhibit a large microstructure design space as several carbon additives are considered to improve its conductivity and thus electrochemical performance. Investigating each combination experimentally is time-consuming. In this work, microstructure scale modeling is used to discriminate between different carbon additives to accelerate electrode development [1]. Baseline spherical C45, single wall carbon nano tube (SWCNT, cf. Fig. 1), carbon nano rods (CNR), and mixed SWCNT-CNR are considered and their respective impact on connectivity, effective conductivity, specific surface area, pore size distributions, and effective diffusivity are calculated to provide design recommendations. To do so, microstructures are numerically generated using the NREL open-source Microstructure Analysis Toolbox (MATBOX) available to the battery community* [2].Additionally, the model is used to correlate material utilization and silicon particle size, in agreement with experimental data, to further guide the selection of silicon material.Lastly, the model is used to investigate the porosity specific surface area relationship in the low porosity range, for which the analytical expression 3ε/r (with ε the particle volume fraction and r the particle radius) is no longer valid due to the packing density limit, and revealed a non-monotonic correlation. Such result is very relevant for silicon anode development as one major hindrance to this chemistry is its limited calendar life due to SEI growth, for which the specific surface area is a key parameter. *Nanotube generation new feature will be released after article [1] publication. [1] F. L. E. Usseglio-Viretta, J. H. Kim, J. Preimesberger, N. Neale, P. Weddle, A. Verma, A. M. Colclasure, Guiding the Choice of Carbon Nanotubes Conductive Additives for Silicon Anode Electrode Through Microstructure Scale Analysis, in preparation[2] F. L. E. Usseglio-Viretta, P. Patel, E. Bernhardt, A. Mistry, P. P. Mukherjee, J. Allen, S. J. Cooper, J. Laurencin, K. Smith, MATBOX: An Open-source Microstructure Analysis Toolbox for microstructure generation, segmentation, characterization, visualization, correlation, and meshing, SoftwareX, 17 (2022) 100915. Figure 1

Needle in a haystack: Efficiently finding atomically defined quantum dots for electrostatic force microscopy.

The ongoing development of single electron, nano-, and atomic scale semiconductor devices would greatly benefit from a characterization tool capable of detecting single electron charging events with high spatial resolution at low temperatures. In this work, we introduce a novel Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) instrument capable of measuring critical device dimensions, surface roughness, electrical surface potential, and ultimately the energy levels of quantum dots and single electron transistors in ultra miniaturized semiconductor devices. The characterization of nanofabricated devices with this type of instrument presents a challenge: finding the device. We, therefore, also present a process to efficiently find a nanometer sized quantum dot buried in a 10 × 10 mm2 silicon sample using a combination of optical positioning, capacitive sensors, and AFM topography in a vacuum.

Antibacterial and Osteogenic Dual-Functional Micronano Composite Scaffold Fabricated via Melt Electrowriting and Solution Electrospinning for Bone Tissue Engineering.

The utilization of micronano composite scaffolds has been extensively demonstrated to confer the superior advantages in bone repair compared to single nano- or micron-sized scaffolds. Nevertheless, the enhancement of bioactivities within these composite scaffolds remains challenging. In this study, we propose a novel approach to combine melt electrowriting (MEW) and solution electrospinning (SES) techniques for the fabrication of a composite scaffold incorporating hydroxyapatite (HAP), an osteogenic component, and roxithromycin (ROX), an antibacterial active component. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the hierarchical architecture of the nanofiber-microgrid within the scaffold, as well as the successful loading of HAP and ROX. The incorporation of HAP enhanced the water absorption capacity of the composite scaffold, thus promoting cell adhesion and proliferation, as well as osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, ROX resulted in effective antibacterial capability without any observable cytotoxicity. Finally, the scaffolds were applied to a rat calvarial defect model, and the results demonstrated that the 20% HAP group exhibited superior new bone formation without causing adverse reactions. Therefore, our findings present a promising strategy for designing and fabricating bioactive scaffolds for bone regeneration.

Theoretical investigation of highly efficient perovskite solar cell using single wall carbon nano tube as electron transport layer

Theoretical investigation of highly efficient perovskite solar cell using single wall carbon nano tube as electron transport layer

Development of super nanoantimicrobials combining AgCl, tetracycline and benzalkonium chloride

In this work, we demonstrate that a simple argentometric titration is a scalable, fast, green and robust approach for producing AgCl/antibiotic hybrid antimicrobial materials. We titrated AgNO3 into tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) aqueous solution, thus forming AgCl/TCH in a one-step procedure. Furthermore, we investigated the one-pot synthesis of triply synergistic super-nanoantimicrobials, combining an inorganic source of Ag+ ions (AgCl), a disinfecting agent (benzyl-dimethyl-hexadecyl-ammonium chloride, BAC) and a molecular antibiotic (tetracycline hydrochloride, TCH). Conventional antimicrobial tests, industrial biofilm detection protocols, and in situ IR-ATR microbial biofilm monitoring, have been adapted to understand the performance of the synthesized super-nanoantimicrobial. The resulting hybrid AgCl/BAC/TCH nanoantimicrobials are found to be synergistically active in eradicating Salmonella enterica and Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri bacteria and biofilms. This study paves the way for the development of a new class of super-efficient nanoantimicrobials that combine relatively low amounts of multiple active species into a single (nano)formulation, thus preventing the development of antimicrobial resistance towards a single active principle.

Electrodynamic manipulator for commercial fluorescence microscope

We have developed a simple electrodynamic manipulator extension for a commercial fluorescence microscope. This extension allows single charged nano- and microparticles to levitate being isolated in space. The proposed electrodynamic manipulator is based on the linear quadrupole Paul trap. We measured the luminescence spectrum of a single microparticle filled with semiconductor quantum dots to demonstrate the operation process of the electrodynamic manipulator. This paper reveals the manipulator design features and restrictions are imposed by microscopic equipment; the issues of optical spectra recording are also discussed. The electrodynamic manipulator is a cheap and robust tool that can be compatible with any commercial microscopes, and can be easily adapted and modified for various investigation needs.

Numerical study of heat and mass transfer of williamson hybrid nanofluid (CuO/CNT's-water) past a permeable stretching/shrinking surface with mixed convective boundary condition

The present paper deals with the hybrid nano fluid, for this we have used Single and Multi-wall carbon nano tubes along with CuO and Water. The inclined magneto-hydrodynamics is considered along with Hall effect, soret and dufour for the impact on Williamson fluid flowing through porous medium over stretching/shrinking lamina having suction and injection in consideration. Heat and mass convective boundaries are taken to solve the nonlinear problem using shooting method and bvp4c MATLAB solver. The study shows the comparison between nanofluid (Cuo-Water, SWCNT-Water and MWCNT-Water) and found that the hybrid carbon nanotubes possess excellent result in skin friction and local Nusselt number compared to the SWCNT-water and MWCNT-water.Then the effect of different parameters are analysed through graphical representation and data tables.

Electronic and half-metallic behavior of copper-doped silicon carbide armchair single-walled nanotubes using density functional theory

Due to their remarkable mechanical, thermal and electrical characteristics, silicon carbide (SiC) single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) are an unusual and promising class of materials. Density functional theory (DFT) is used in this study to examine the electrical and structural characteristics of copper-doped SiC armchair SWNTs. It has been discovered that copper doping of SiC armchair SWNTs alters the materials’ electrical characteristics. SiC SWNTs band gap plays a significant role in influencing the electrical conductivity and optical characteristics of the substance. The energy bands i.e., valence band and conduction band of SiC armchair SWNTs overlapped as copper doping concentration increased, altering the materials’ electrical conductivity and optical characteristics. Additionally, a continuous density of states plot and a narrower band gap are frequently employed as markers of ferroelectric behaviour which indicates the existence of a polarizable and highly delocalized electronic system. The significance of copper doping in SiC SWNTs is understood by this study, along with the effects of the doping on the material’s electrical properties.

Powering of IOTs through single jersey wearable tribo-electric nano generator

A simple, lightweight, and easy to develop Single Jersey Wearable Tribo-Electric Nano Generators (SJ-WTENG) were constructed using Cotton and Acrylic fabrics (Triboelectric series materials). Fabrics were also coated with Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (13 nm) to increase the electrical conductance of the samples. Compression and Vertical contact-separation modes were adopted for studying the performance of the developed samples. Along with a Single WTENG sample, the outputs of two samples connected in series were also measured. To study the effect of developed Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticle coating, non-coated fabrics WTENGs were also constructed and tested. The maximum voltage reached with the Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticle-coated SJ-WTENG samples was a time-varying signal of 7.68 volts peak to peak volts with an approximate frequency of 50.5 Hertz. A shotky diode-based full bridge rectifier was used to get the DC voltage. The rectified DC signal was observed to be 5 volts which was enough to light up an LED with a threshold voltage of 1.7 volts DC as well as charge 3.7 volts, 3.6Ah Li-ion battery pack. Results confirmed that the application of Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles was useful in augmenting the output of the proposed SJ-WTENG design. The proposed system can be used to power the battery powered IOT (Internet of Things) devices, widely used in medical and body sensor network applications.

Design and performance investigation of CIGS/SWCNT tandem solar cell for efficiency improvement

This research work demonstrates the design and simulation of highly efficient tandem solar cell by using SCAPS-1D software. This tandem solar cell has been designed with a higher bandgap Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) absorber as a top cell and a lower bandgap Single Wall Carbon Nano Tube (SWCNT) absorber as a bottom cell, which are arranged in the series connection. Firstly, both top and bottom solar cells were analysed under standalone afterward, tandem configuration was developed with the top cell illumined by AM 1.5 spectrum and the bottom cell illumined by AM 1.5 filtered by top cell spectrum. The effects of absorber thickness, doping density, and bandgap on the output characteristics of the solar cell are also investigated. The current matching of both cells is attained by tuning the bandgap and thickness of Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 absorber of the upper cell. The remarkable efficiency of 38.91 % (Voc = 1.3441 V, Jsc = 37.87 mA/cm2 and FF = 76.41 %) is attained of the proposed CIGS/SWCNT tandem device at a thickness of 860 nm and 2000 nm for absorber of top and bottom cell respectively. The results of this research suggest a route for the fabrication of CIGS/SWCNT tandem solar cell with high efficiency.

Instrument with an ultra-wide dynamic detection range for the optical counting and sizing of individual particles in suspensions.

The characterization of dispersions, suspensions, and emulsions is important in a wide range of scientific applications and industries. Samples can consist of different materials and a wide range of particle sizes and concentrations. A single particle sizing and counting instrument with a dynamic detection range of ≥6 decades has been developed to detect single nano- and microparticles in aqueous suspensions based on light scattering measured in two directions. Hydrodynamic focusing is employed for particle separation and to provide stable conditions for light scattering detection. This gives the advantage of size resolution in the nm range, allowing, e.g., number based size distributions, classification of nanomaterials, determination of particle agglomerates, developments for dispersion stability analysis, or cutoff of filter media. In addition, concentration determination is based on sample volume measurement with <20 nl measurement uncertainty. We present results of particle detection in a size range from approximately above 40 nm for gold nanoparticles to 8μm for polystyrene particles using a prototyped instrument of the LUMiSpoc® series produced by LUM GmbH. The data obtained demonstrate the advantages of single-particle detection, particularly for characterizing polydisperse systems, such as precise particle sizing in the nanometer range through light scattering intensity based on Mie scattering theory. In addition, we present particle concentration data based on the integrated measurement of sample volume, which allows particle concentration to be determined with an uncertainty of 2.5% (95% confidence interval). To achieve such small uncertainties, dilution series measurements must be used to correct for coincidence losses and particle adhesion.

Granular vortex spin-torque nano oscillator for reservoir computing

In this paper, we investigate the granularity in the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) and its potential to function as a reservoir for reservoir computing where grains act as oscillatory neurons while the device is in the vortex state. The input of the reservoir is applied in the form of a magnetic field which can pin the vortex core into different grains of the device in the magnetic vortex state. The oscillation frequency and MTJ resistance vary across different grains in a non-linear fashion making them great candidates to be served as the reservoir's outputs for classification objectives. Hence, we propose an experimentally validated area-efficient single granular vortex spin-torque nano oscillator (GV-STNO) device in which pinning sites work as random reservoirs that can emulate neuronal functions. We harness the nonlinear oscillation frequency and resistance exhibited by the vortex core granular pinning of the GV-STNO reservoir computing system to demonstrate waveform classification.

Enhancing Heat Transfer in Compact Automotive Engines using Hybrid Nano Coolants

This research aimed to compare the performance of a reduced-scale automotive radiator using single nano coolant (CNC and CuO) and its hybrid nano coolant (CNC and CuO nanoparticles) to enhance heat transmission. Three ratios of 70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 of hybrid nano coolants was tested. UV Vis stability characterization of the nanofluids showed that all samples were highly stable for up to 30 days. A modest concentration (0.01 vol per cent) of the hybrid nano coolant was shown to efficiently increase the heat transfer rate of a reduced-size automobile radiator, demonstrating that the heat transfer behaviour of the nano coolant was reliant on the particle volume percentage. The results show the potential use of hybrid nano coolants in increasing heat transfer efficiency, decreasing cooling system size by up to 71 percent, and thus lowering fuel consumption; these benefits have significant implications for developing more efficient cooling systems in various industrial applications. The experimental findings showed that 80:20 exhibited a significant amount of improvement in thermal properties. The consistency of the low volume concentration of hybrid nano coolants throughout the experiment is further evidence of their promise as a practical substitute for conventional cooling media in the compact size of an automotive engine cooling system.

Anti-counterfeiting and multifunctional applications of near white emitting La1.99MgTiO6:0.01Dy perovskite nano phosphors

A 1 wt% dysprosium doped double perovskite nano phosphor La2MgTiO6 is synthesised by a low-temperature combustion method. When excited with UV radiation (351 nm), the sample shows major characteristic emission peaks at 480 nm (4F9/2 →6H15/2) and 574 nm (4F9/2 →6H13/2) whereas, when excited by IR radiation (980 nm), an up-conversion emission peak at 654 nm (4F9/2 →6H11/2) is observed. The photoluminescence spectra of La1.99Dy0.01MgTiO6 show dominant blue emission, which obliges potential white LED applications with chroma coordinates (0.32, 0.33). On the other side, the samples annealed above 1223 K build suitable reading light that shows dominant yellow emission with a quantum efficiency of 69.25 %; which simplifies why samples with high-temperature heat treatment are pertinent yellow-emitting phosphor. Using the Tauc plot, an improvement of ΔEg= 14 meV is seen owing to annealing at 1223 K. The XRD, Raman, SEM, and TEM results signify the increase in crystallinity and crystallite size with annealing. Noticeably, the red emission upon up-conversion highlights the medical imaging purpose. The effective combination of up-down conversion emission can be successfully exploited for anti-counterfeiting applications; underlining the multifunctional application of a single perovskite nano phosphor for smart materials.

The Photothermal Effect of a Single Gold-magnetic Nanocrescent in A Glycerol-water Mixture Media

The photothermal effect of gold nanostructures has been majority known as the nanothermal effect of gold clusters under laser irradiation. However, there are still many challenges to measuring the local temperature generated by a single nano gold in a complex media. In this work, a gold magnetic nanocrescent (G-MNC) has been studied, it composed of a superparamagnetic iron oxide core and gold shell with a size of 170 nm in glycerol/water (80:20), under 650 nm laser irradiation. Using rotational scattering correlation spectroscopy (RSCS), a sophisticated technique has been developed, the local temperature generated by only single magnetic nanocrescent was measured. The dependence of the heat generation according to the power of the laser shows that the heat generated by the gold NC is proportional to the power of the laser, and the maximum temperature was 19.5 oC, corresponding to the laser power was 29×103 W.cm-2. Under using the proper laser irradiation to the plasmon resonance, G-MNCs act as nano thermometers. The photothermal effect of the single G-MNC was implemented in a mixing solution of glycerol and water.

A Sodium Alginate-Based Multifunctional Nanoplatform for Synergistic Chemo-Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Efficient hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains a significant challenge due tothe inherent limitations of traditional strategies. The exploration of polysaccharides' natural immunity for HCC immunotherapy is rarely explored. For this purpose, facile construction of a multifunctional nanoplatform, biotinylated aldehyde alginate-doxorubicin nano micelle (BEACNDOXM) is reported in this study for synergistic chemo-immunotherapy by using constant β-D-mannuronic acid (M) units and modulated α-L-guluronic acid (G) units in the alginate (ALG) structure. The M units show natural immunity and specific binding ability with mannose receptors (MRs) via strong receptor-ligand interactions, and the G units serve as highly reactive conjugation sites for biotin (Bio) and DOX. Therefore, this formulation not only integrates the natural immunity of ALG and the immunogenic cell death (ICD)triggering function of DOX, but also shows dual targeting properties to HCC cells via MRs and Bio receptors (BRs)-mediated endocytosis. Notably, BEACNDOXM mediates a tumor inhibitory efficiency 12.10% and 4.70% higher than free DOX and single targeting aldehyde alginate-doxorubicin nano micelle controls, respectively, at an equivalent DOX dose of 3 mg kg-1 in Hepa1-6 tumor-bearing mice. This study reports the first example of integrating the natural immunity of ALG and the ICD effect of anticancer drugsfor enhanced chemo-immunotherapy of HCC.

Super-High-Resolution Densitometry by Optical Trapping of a Single-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Particle for Subsingle Molecule Detection

In this study, for the first time, we have shown that the single nano-/microparticle trapping ability of optical tweezers combined with the high selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) provides an indispensable molecular-level instrument for chemical sciences. Trapping a single MIP inside a solution and analyzing its Brownian motion allow for real-time determination of its target molecule [trimipramine (TMP) in our case] content. This method is also utilized to precisely measure TMP concentration in the bulk solution. The detection and optical volumes, respectively, defined as single MIP volume and laser focal volume, were about a few femtoliters. According to our data within a detection volume inside the bulk solution, 0.02-0.25 target molecules could be detectable with a detection limit of 0.005 molecules. Thus, we detected 1/1000th of the subsingle molecule in detection volume by high-resolution densitometry.

Broccoli-shaped nano florets-based gastrointestinal diseases detection by copper oxide chitosan

This report describes a simple and inexpensive room-temperature chemo-resistive CuO-Chitosan-based hydrogen sensor for detecting gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs). A clinical analysis shows that GID patients exhale more than 10–20 ppm of hydrogen compared to healthy people, which is considered a biomarker for the non-invasive diagnosis of GIDs. This allows for a portable, non-intrusive, effective, and fast-detecting sensor in treating GIDs. To our knowledge, no GIDs study has used chitosan for H2 sensing. The current study prepares CuO-Chi nanocomposites and tests their hydrogen sensitivity for GIDs detection. Different ratios of CuO: chitosan [CuO: Chi (A(1:2), B(1:1), C(1:0.5), D(1:0.25), E(1:0.125), and F(1:0.0625)]were synthesized using novel co-precipitation cum probe sonication technique. Compared to other CuO composites in the literature, our synthesized CuO: Chi-B (1:1) can detect as low as 10 ppm of hydrogen gas at room temperature, with a lower limit of detection (0.07 ppm) and a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.9566. The Contact angle explains the anti-wettability property with the increase in the hydrophilicity due to the presence of electronegative atoms like N in NH2 and O in the OH group. Field emission scanning electron microscopy reveals several single broccoli nano florets. Most importantly, the sensor's calculated Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area is 5.1565 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.02173cm2/gm and pore size of 16.897 nm. It has excellent sensitivity, response, recovery, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. The reaction mechanism for sensor performance is elaborately discussed by the Grotthuss mechanism. The above studies suggest and show that CuO: Chi-B (1:1) is a new material for hydrogen sensors that can be used for the breath analysis to detect GIDs at 10 ppm.