Synthesis Of Nanomaterials Research Articles

Focus on synthesis, characterization and applications of low dimensional nanomaterials

Abstract This Editorial summarizes the content of a focus collection on the synthesis, characterization and applications of low dimensional materials. The collection groups original research and review articles providing recent results and prospects in the field, with particular attention on optoelectronic applications, dielectric and magnetic properties, and electrochemical and biological performances.

Predicting and Accelerating Nanomaterial Synthesis Using Machine Learning Featurization.

Materials synthesis optimization is constrained by serial feedback processes that rely on manual tools and intuition across multiple siloed modes of characterization. We automate and generalize feature extraction of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) data with machine learning to establish quantitatively predictive relationships in small sets (∼10) of expert-labeled data, saving significant time on subsequently grown samples. These predictive relationships are evaluated in a representative material system (W1-xVxSe2 on c-plane sapphire (0001)) with two aims: 1) predicting grain alignment of the deposited film using pregrowth substrate data and 2) estimating vanadium dopant concentration using in situ RHEED as a proxy for ex situ methods (e.g., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Both tasks are accomplished using the same materials-agnostic features, avoiding specific system retraining and leading to a potential 80% time saving over a 100-sample synthesis campaign. These predictions provide guidance to avoid doomed trials, reduce follow-on characterization, and improve control resolution for materials synthesis.

Sonochemical Synthesis of Low-Dimensional Nanostructures and Their Applications—A Review

Sonochemical synthesis is becoming a popular method of preparing various nanomaterials, including metals, carbons, oxides, and chalcogenides. This method is relatively cheap and responds to the challenges of green chemistry as it typically does not involve high temperatures, high pressures, inert atmospheres, or long reaction times in comparison to other conventional methods. The utilization of ultrasound in synthesis makes the elimination of toxic solvents possible, as well as the execution of the synthesis without the use of reducing and stabilizing agents, while receiving products with the same or even better properties. The application of ultrasound allows for the synthesis of various nanomaterials with different properties for use in fields such as catalysis, electrochemistry, medicine, and biosensors. The final product is influenced by multiple variables such as temperature, pH, reagents, capping agents, time of reaction, and the addition of dopants.

Template-directed synthesis of one-dimensional hexagonal PdTe nanowires for efficient ethanol electrooxidation.

A template-directed synthesis of one-dimensional hexagonal PdTe nanowires using Te nanowires as a template through a two-step hydrothermal process is developed, which exhibit excellent mass activity of 4.4 A mgPd-1 for ethanol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium. This work enriches the controlled synthesis of one-dimensional noble metal chalcogenide nanomaterials.

Nanocarbon Materials: Synthesis of Newly Discovered Carbon Nanoframes and Hollow Carbon Nanocubes

AbstractNanocarbons are emerging at the forefront of nanoscience, and a wide variety of nanocarbons with unique structures have appeared over the past two decades. Currently, many carbon nanostructures have not been synthesized in the field of nanocarbons. The focus of this work is to present a new ideology and report two carbon nanostructures that have never been reported before. Inspired by the phenomenon of crystal growth, a new concept of thought is proposed. In brief, the diversity of crystal structures is utilized to enable surfactants to replicate their framework structures to create carbon nanomaterials with novel structures. In this work, carbon nanoframes (CNFEs) and hollow carbon nanocubes (HCNBs) synthesized by the 3‐(N,N‐dimethyldodecylammonio) propanesulfonate (SB3‐12)@NaCl self‐assembly strategy are used as proof of the ideology concept. It is shown that the prepared CNFEs have tunable dimensions (320–565 nm) and specific optical properties (fluorescence). The obtained HCNBs are 575 ± 20 nm in size and have fluorescent properties. It is found that changes in the concentration of SB3‐12 are a key driver of size changes, especially morphological evolution. It is believed that the ideology of this work provides a new entry point for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials.

A flexible plasmonic substrate for sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based detection of fentanyl.

In this work, we demonstrate a straightforward and versatile approach for fabricating flexible SERS substrates for highly sensitive fentanyl detection. Our design strategy integrates the synthesis of a yolk-shell structured plasmonic nanomaterial with a flexible cellulose substrate. The resulting SERS platform demonstrates excellent sensing capabilities, achieving a fentanyl detection limit as low as 4.89 ng mL-1.

One-step synthesis of needle-like lanthanum-doped TiO2 nanomaterials and its photoconductivity activity in an air medium

One-step synthesis of needle-like lanthanum-doped TiO2 nanomaterials and its photoconductivity activity in an air medium

Multicore@shell nanoparticle synthesis from a single multicomponent target by gas aggregation source

Synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials is known as a critical challenge in advanced nanoscience. Multicore@shell nanostructures are generated here via a gas phase synthesis approach. To achieve this objective, we used a conventional DC magnetron sputtering in conjunction with a gas aggregation chamber. We employed a customized Au-Ti target to produce metal-metal oxide multicore@shell nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable properties. The deposited NPs were characterized with regard to their chemical composition, morphology, structural status, NP size distribution and optical properties. The obtained data clearly confirms that the crystalline Au cores are encapsulated in a TiOx matrix in each individual NP. Furthermore, the chemical composition and size distribution of the NPs can be affected by the operating pressure. Our approach provides a versatile route with many different possibilities to synthesize multicore@shell NPs from a variety of composite targets for well-desired applications including environmental, optical/plasmonic, and energy.

Optimization and Treatment Characteristics for Green Synthesis of NiO Nanomaterials from White Broccoli (Brotrytis Cauliflower) Flower Extract with Varying pH, Temperature, and Stirring Speed

Optimization and Treatment Characteristics for Green Synthesis of NiO Nanomaterials from White Broccoli (Brotrytis Cauliflower) Flower Extract with Varying pH, Temperature, and Stirring Speed

Advanced hybrid nanomaterials based on carboxymethyl-modified biopolymer: Green synthesis and application in sustainable antimicrobial products

The utilization of agricultural by-products for the synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials represents an environmentally sustainable approach. This research aims to comprehensively investigate high-performance silver and copper nanoparticles hybrid materials based on carboxymethyl-modified cellulose / lignin derived from rice husks (CMC / CML-AgNPs and CMC / CML-CuONPs) and apply them for antimicrobial activities. CMC / CML was used to reduce Ag / Cu cations to the atomic level and then efficiently stabilize Ag / CuO nanoparticles, an eco-friendly method and sustainable development. The hybrid nanomaterials were successfully synthesized with spherical shapes and particle sizes ranging from 4 to 16 nm. The diffraction peaks at 38.46°, 46.57°, 64.93°, and 77.55° were ascribed to the face-centered cubic crystal lattice (111), (200), (220), and (311) of silver nanoparticles in the CMC / CML-AgNPs. The peaks were 32.26°, 46.06°, 52.16°, 61.71°, 63.80°, and 71.23° associating with the (110,20−2), (112), (11−3), (310), and (221) plane orientations of CuO nanoparticles. The proposed materials demonstrated highly efficient antimicrobial performances. Particularly, CMC-AgNPs and CML-CuONPs exhibited an inhibitory capability of up to 100 % against E. coli and S. aureus within 72 h. Simultaneously, the antifungal results showed that hybrid nanomaterials have a better ability to inhibit the A. niger than A. flavus fungus. When experimenting on peanut seeds, hybrid nanomaterials showed an inhibitory capability of up to 99.0 % against A. niger. IC50 values of the hybrid nanomaterials range from 0.872 mg/mL to 1.188 mg/mL, confirming that these materials are non-cytotoxic. These materials exhibit significant stability and enduring antimicrobial efficacy, making them ideal for sustainable development of various antibacterial and antifungal blocks for the near future.

Preface

We are excited to present the proceedings of the National Conference on Nanomaterials – 2024 (NCN-2024), organized by the Department of Physics from July 11-12, 2024 at L.R.G. Government Arts College for Women, Tirupur. This event brought together a diverse group of experts, and we are immensely grateful to the authors, speakers, and reviewers who contributed their time and expertise to making this conference a reality. The research papers showcased in this proceeding cover a wide range of topics, including nanomaterial synthesis, characterization methods, nanoelectronics, nanocomposites, and applications in fields such as energy and healthcare. These contributions, collected from experts across the nation, highlight the rapid advancements in nanotechnology and its transformative potential. We would like to take a moment to honour and appreciate the contributions of our esteemed colleagues, whose dedication and passion have played a pivotal role in the success of this conference. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all faculty members, researchers, and collaborators who played a crucial role in this journey. Our sincere gratitude goes to SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) and CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), India, for their generous sponsorship, which made this conference possible. We are also deeply appreciative of our institution, L.R.G. Government Arts College for Women, Tirupur, for its steadfast support in organizing the event. The contributions from our sponsors and partners were crucial in providing the resources needed to deliver an impactful and enriching conference. List of National Advisory Committee and Organizing Committee are available in this Pdf.

Nanomaterials in electronics: Advancements and challenges in high-performance devices

Nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxides, are revolutionizing the field of electronics by enabling the development of high-performance devices. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, characterization, and application of these nanostructured materials. The unique properties of nanomaterials, including exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal management capabilities, and potential for device miniaturization, offer significant advantages over traditional materials. Graphene, for instance, exhibits remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity, making it an ideal candidate for applications in transistors and sensors. Carbon nanotubes, known for their strength and conductivity, enhance the performance of various electronic components, while metal oxides play a crucial role in semiconductor applications. Despite these advancements, several challenges remain. Issues related to scalability hinder the large-scale production of nanomaterials, while reproducibility concerns affect the reliability of devices fabricated from these materials. Moreover, the environmental impact of synthesizing and disposing of nanomaterials raises significant ethical considerations that must be addressed as the field progresses. This paper aims to provide insights into the current research trends and potential future directions, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in the synthesis and application of nanomaterials in electronics. By addressing these challenges, we can pave the way for the next generation of high-performance electronic devices that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.

Interaction of graphene oxide with tannic acid: computational modeling and toxicity mitigation in C. elegans.

Graphene oxide (GO) undergoes multiple transformations when introduced to biological and environmental media. GO surface favors the adsorption of biomolecules through different types of interaction mechanisms, modulating the biological effects of the material. In this study, we investigated the interaction of GO with tannic acid (TA) and its consequences for GO toxicity. We focused on understanding how TA interacts with GO, its impact on the material surface chemistry, colloidal stability, as well as, toxicity and biodistribution using the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Employing computational modeling, including reactive classical molecular dynamics and ab initio calculations, we reveal that TA preferentially binds to the most reactive sites on GO surfaces via the oxygen-containing groups or the carbon matrix; van der Waals interaction forces dominate the binding energy. TA exhibits a dose-dependent mitigating effect on the toxicity of GO, which can be attributed not only to the surface interactions between the molecule and the material but also to the inherent biological properties of TA in C. elegans. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of GO's environmental behavior and toxicity and highlight the potential of tannic acid for the synthesis and surface functionalization of graphene-based nanomaterials, offering insights into safer nanotechnology development.

Organometallic Chemistry Tools for Building Biologically Relevant Nanoscale Systems.

The recent emergence of organometallic chemistry for modification of biomolecular nanostructures has begun to rewrite the long-standing assumption among practitioners that small-molecule organometallics are fundamentally incompatible with biological systems. This Perspective sets out to clarify some of the existing misconceptions by focusing on the growing organometallic toolbox for biomolecular modification. Specifically, we highlight key organometallic transformations in constructing complex biologically relevant systems on the nanomolecular scale, and the organometallic synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials composed of classical nanomaterial components combined with biologically relevant species. As research progresses, many of the challenges associated with applying organometallic chemistry in this context are rapidly being reassessed. Looking to the future, the growing utility of organometallic transformations will likely make them more ubiquitous in the construction and modification of biomolecular nanostructures.

Nanomedicine Innovations for Diabetes Management: Revolutionizing Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring

Diabetes mellitus, a widespread metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, affects many people globally. The limitations of conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches necessitate exploring innovative strategies. Nanotechnology shows remarkable potential for revolutionizing the field of diabetes theranostics (combined diagnosis and treatment) by enabling accurate diagnosis and precise treatment delivery. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in nanomaterials for diagnosing and treating diabetes. It explores the applications of various nanomaterials, including inorganic and organic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and nanostructured biosensors, in biomarker detection, glucose monitoring, insulin delivery, and addressing diabetes-related complications. The study focuses on the synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials for diabetes, covering both traditional and environmentally friendly synthesis methods. This study looks into how nanomaterials can be used to carry natural antidiabetic extracts, recombinant insulin, and other antidiabetic drugs, to make them more bioavailable, targetable, and effective. However, the review also talks about the problems that come with using nanosensors to diagnose diabetes. It also looks at the newest developments in nanosensors for biomarker detection, implantable devices, and continuous glucose monitoring. Additionally, the review examines the potential of nanomaterials in the management of diabetic sequelae, including diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular disorders, retinopathy, and wound healing. We underscore the significance of nanomaterials in islet transplantation, as they provide immunological protection and enhance the viability and efficacy of islets. This study provides useful insights into the prospects and challenges connected with the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology in diabetic theranostics through a comprehensive examination of the current landscape. Academics, clinicians, and stakeholders engaged in developing innovative nanomaterial-based approaches to accurately diagnose and effectively manage diabetes will find this resource highly helpful.

Versatility of the Templated Surface Assembly of Nanoparticles from Water-in-Oil Microemulsions in Equivalent Hybrid Nanostructured Films.

Water-in-oil microemulsions, as stable colloidal dispersions from quasi-ternary mixtures, have been used in diverse applications, including nanoreactors for confined chemical processes. Their use as soft templates not only includes nanomaterial synthesis but also the interfacial assembly of nanoparticles in hybrid nanostructures. Especially the hierarchical arrangement of different types of nanoparticles over a surface in filament networks constitutes an interesting bottom-up strategy for facile and tunable film coating. Herein, we demonstrate the versatility of this surface assembly from microemulsion dispersions. Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy, in addition to UV-Vis Transmittance Spectroscopy, proved the assembly tunability after solvent evaporation under different conditions: the nanostructured films can be formed over different surfaces, using different compositions of liquid phases, as well as with the incorporation of different nanoparticle materials while keeping equivalent surface functionalization. This offers the possibility of adapting different components and conditions for coating tuning on a larger scale with simple procedures.

A review on the green metal nanotechnology in monogastric animal health: current trends and future prospects.

Green nanotechnology is the emerging field of research in recent decades with growing interest rapidly. This integrates green chemistry with green engineering to avoid using toxic chemicals in the synthesis of organic nanomaterials. Green nanotechnology would create a huge potential for the use of nanoparticles for more sustainable utilization in improving animal health. Nanoparticles can be synthesised by physical, chemical and biological processes. Traditional methods for physical and chemical synthesis of nanoparticles are toxic to humans, animals and environmental health, which limits their usefulness. Green synthesis of nanoparticles via biological processes and their application in animal health could maximize the benefits of nanotechnology in terms of enhancing food animal health and production as well as minimize the undesirable impacts on Planetary Health. Recent advances in nanotechnology have meant different nanomaterials, especially those from metal sources, are now available for use in nanomedicine. Metal nanoparticles are one of the most widely researched in green nanotechnology, and the number of articles on this subject in food animal production is growing nowadays. Therefore, research on metal nanoparticles using green technologies have utmost importance. In this review, we report the recent advancement of green synthesized metal nanoparticles in terms of their utilization in monogastric animal health, elucidate the research gap in this field and provide recommendations for future prospects.

Machine learning-guided synthesis of nanomaterials for breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor, which mostly occurs in female population and is caused by excessive proliferation of breast epithelial cells. Breast cancer can cause nipple discharge, breast lumps and other symptoms, but these symptoms lack certain specificity and are easily confused with other diseases, thus affecting the early treatment of the disease. Once the tumor progresses to the advanced stage, distant metastasis can occur, leading to dysfunction of the affected organs, and even threatening the patients’ lives. In this study, we synthesized high drug-loading gel particles and applied them to control the release of insoluble drugs. This method is simple to prepare, cost-effective, and validates their potential in breast cancer therapy. We first characterized the morphology and physicochemical properties of gel loaded with newly synthesized compound 1 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Using newly synthesized insoluble compound 1 as a model drug, its efficacy in treating breast cancer was investigated. The results showed that hydrogel@compound 1 was able to significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Additionally, we utilized machine learning to screen three structurally similar compounds, which showed promising therapeutic effects, providing a new approach for the development of novel small-molecule drugs.

Processable Circularly Polarized Luminescence for the Synthesis of Chiral Plasmonic Nanoparticles

AbstractCircularly polarized light is previously shown as a chiral bias to enable the synthesis of chiral plasmonic nanomaterials through light‐matter interactions. The traditional approach for circularly polarized light generation relies on a “top‐down” approach by removing undesired light polarization through optics, which suffers from energy loss and compatibility issues. An alternative approach is to develop chiral phosphors that emit efficient circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). However, most materials fail to produce processable CPL with both high quantum yield and dissymmetry factors, let alone the synthesis of chiral nanomaterials. Herein, a liquid‐crystal‐templated framework is developed to assemble halide perovskite nanocrystals, CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I), and achieved efficient CPL with the record‐high figure of merit (FM) for three primary colors (Red, Green, Blue). The fidelity of the CPL is further demonstrated in the synthesis of chiral gold nanoparticles, where a five‐fold increase in optical activity is achieved.

In situ atomic observations of aggregation growth and evolution of penta-twinned gold nanocrystals

The twin boundaries and inherent lattice strain of five-fold twin (5-FT) structures offer a promising and innovative approach to tune nanocrystal configurations and properties, enriching nanomaterial performance. However, a comprehensive understanding of the nonclassical growth models governing 5-FT nanocrystals remains elusive, largely due to the constraints of their small thermodynamically stable size and complex twin configurations. Here, we conducted in situ investigations to elucidate the atomic-scale mechanisms driving size-dependent and twin configuration-related aggregation phenomena between 5-FT and other nanoparticles at the atomic scale. Our results reveal that surface diffusion significantly shapes the morphology of aggregated nanoparticles, promoting the symmetrical formation of 5-FT, especially in smaller nanoparticles. Moreover, the inherent structural characteristics of 5-FT mitigate the dominance of surface diffusion in its morphological evolution, retarding the aggregation evolution process and fostering intricate twin structures. These findings contribute to advancing our capacity to manipulate the configuration of twinned particles, enabling more predictable synthesis of functional nanomaterials for advanced engineering applications.