Unique Properties Of Nanomaterials Research Articles

Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics of hazardous dye Tropaeoline 000 unto Aeroxide Alu C (Nano alumina): a non-carbon adsorbent

The present paper is aimed to investigate and develop adsorption methods for colour removal from wastewater using waste material a non-carbon adsorbent Nano alumina (NA). The unique properties of Nano materials have promisingly exhibited in solving many environmental issues. The high surface area and unique adsorption capacity of NA were successfully utilized in removing water-soluble azo dye, Tropaeoline 000 from wastewater. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of the dye were measured experimentally. Results were analysed by the Freundlich and Langmuir equation at different temperatures and determined characteristic parameters for each adsorption isotherm. Specific rate constants of the processes were calculated by kinetic measurements and pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics was observed in each case. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) of the systems were calculated by using Langmuir constant. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order model.

Nanomaterials for Photohyperthermia: A Review

The unique properties of nanomaterials have propelled the field of nanomedicine. Nanomaterials have been used as drug delivery, imaging, and photothermal agents for diagnosis and therapy of diseases. Recently, photohyperthermia has attracted great interest from researchers and is actively being investigated as an alternative method of therapy for cancer and even bacteria. Photohyperthermia, or photothermal therapy, is the process of a photothermal agent absorbing light and converting it into heat for the destruction of malignant cells, which is due to elevated temperatures. This technique is non-invasive, can target specific diseased cells for minimal adverse side effects, and can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. In this review, we will discuss different nanomaterials that have been implemented as photothermal agents for the treatment of various cancer and bacterial cells. The review will mainly focus on gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes. However, other nanomaterials, such as semiconductor nanoparticles and polymer composites, will be briefly discussed. In addition, the photothermal mechanism, current developments, dual imaging and therapy, and future perspectives of nanoparticle-based photohyperthermia will be presented.

Large Scale Production of MgO Nanostructures and their Possible Applications

The unique properties of nanomaterials have motivated the researchers to develop the simpler and inexpensive techniques to produce nanostructures of technologically important materials. Several oxide nanostructures are produced to have tremendous applications in the future and among them, magnesium oxide (MgO) is an exceptionally important material for use in catalysis, toxic waste remediation, as an additive in refractory, paint and superconducting products Fang et a. (2006).

ChemInform Abstract: Nanoparticle Assemblies: Dimensional Transformation of Nanomaterials and Scalability

AbstractReview: 107 refs.

Nanoparticle assemblies: dimensional transformation of nanomaterials and scalability

Integration of nanoparticles (NPs) and other nanomaterials with existing technologies must take place in order to substantially widen the spectrum of their applications. This task can be simplified by taking advantage of NP assemblies provided that they retain the unique properties of nanomaterials in organized systems of larger dimensions. There is a large variety of methods of assembling NPs into superstructures containing 10-10(10) particles that include field-, bio-, and interface-directed techniques as well as self-organization. Some of them can traverse the scales from typical lengths of 10(-9) m (nano) to 10(-5) m (micro) and 10(1) m (macro) conducive to other technologies. Such dimensional transformation of nanomaterials makes possible utilization of well-established processing techniques, and hardware tools operating at these scales. Therefore, answering the question "What types of the assembly techniques are suitable for such a task?" is vital for the future application of nanoscale materials in any field of use. These techniques must result in organized structures of at least 5 × 10(-7) m in size, offer relative simplicity and fault tolerance. This review focuses on the recent development of NP assembly techniques that have the possibility of satisfying these requirements. The expected applications and future developments are also discussed.

Development of nanomaterials for bone repair and regeneration

Bone is a nanocomposite composed of organic (mainly collagen) and inorganic (nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite) components, with a hierarchical structure ranging from nano- to macroscale. Its functions include providing mechanical support and transmitting physio-chemical and mechano-chemical cues. Clinical repair and reconstruction of bone defects has been conducted using autologous and allogeneic tissues and alloplastic materials, with functional limitations. The design and development of biomaterial scaffolds that will replace the form and function of native tissue while promoting regeneration without necrosis or scar formation is a challenging area of research. Nanomaterials and nanocomposites are promising platforms to recapitulate the organization of natural extracellular matrix for the fabrication of functional bone tissues because nanostructure provides a closer approximation to native bone architecture. Nanostructured scaffolds provide structural support for the cells and regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, which results in the formation of functional tissues. Unique properties of nanomaterials, such as increased wettability and surface area, lead to increased protein adsorption when compared with conventional biomaterials. Cell-scaffold interactions at the cell-material nanointerface may be mediated by integrin-triggered signaling pathways that affect cell behavior. The materials selection and processing techniques can affect the chemical, physical, mechanical, and cellular recognition properties of biomaterials. In this article, we focused on reviewing current fabrication techniques for nanomaterials and nanocomposites, their cell interaction properties and their application in bone tissue engineering and regeneration.

Modern Micro and Nanoparticle-Based Imaging Techniques

The requirements for early diagnostics as well as effective treatment of insidious diseases such as cancer constantly increase the pressure on development of efficient and reliable methods for targeted drug/gene delivery as well as imaging of the treatment success/failure. One of the most recent approaches covering both the drug delivery as well as the imaging aspects is benefitting from the unique properties of nanomaterials. Therefore a new field called nanomedicine is attracting continuously growing attention. Nanoparticles, including fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) and magnetic nanoparticles, have proven their excellent properties for in vivo imaging techniques in a number of modalities such as magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging, respectively. In this article, we review the main properties and applications of nanoparticles in various in vitro imaging techniques, including microscopy and/or laser breakdown spectroscopy and in vivo methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and/or fluorescence-based imaging. Moreover the advantages of the drug delivery performed by nanocarriers such as iron oxides, gold, biodegradable polymers, dendrimers, lipid based carriers such as liposomes or micelles are also highlighted.

Nanoparticulate X-ray Computed Tomography Contrast Agents: From Design Validation to in Vivo Applications

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is one of the most powerful noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques in modern medicine. Nevertheless, the iodinated molecules used as CT contrast agents in the clinic have relatively short circulation times in vivo, which significantly restrict the applications of this technique in target-specific imaging and angiography. In addition, the use of these agents can present adverse. For example, an adult patient typically receives approximately 70 mL of iodinated agent (350 mg I/mL) because of iodine's low contrast efficacy. Rapid renal clearance of such a large dose of these agents may lead to serious adverse effects. Furthermore, some patients are hypersensitive to iodine. Therefore, biomedical researchers have invested tremendous efforts to address these issues. Over the past decade, advances in nanoscience have created new paradigms for imaging. The unique properties of nanomaterials, such as their prolonged circulating half-life, passive accumulation at the tumor sites, facile surface modification, and integration of multiple diverse functions into a single particle, make them advantageous for in vivo applications. However, research on the utilization of nanomaterials for CT imaging has lagged far behind their applications for other imaging techniques such as MRI and fluorescence imaging because of the challenges in the preparation of cost-effective nanoparticulate CT contrast agents with excellent biocompatibility, high contrast efficacy, long in vivo circulation time, and long-term colloidal stability in physiological environments. This Account reviews our recent work on the design and in vivo applications of nanoparticulate CT contrast agents. By optimizing the contrast elements in the nanoparticles according to the fundamental principles of X-ray imaging and by employing the surface engineering approaches that we and others have developed, we have synthesized several nanoparticulate CT contrast agents with excellent imaging performance. For example, a novel Yb-based nanoparticulate agent provides enhanced contrast efficacy compared to currently available CT contrast agents under normal operating conditions. To deal with special situations, we integrated both Ba and Yb with great differential in K-edge value into a single particle to yield the first example of binary contrast agents. This agent displays much higher contrast than iodinated agents at different voltages and is highly suited to diagnostic imaging of various patients. Because of their prolonged in vivo circulation time and extremely low toxicity, these agents can be used for angiography.

ChemInform Abstract: High‐Sensitivity Nanosensors for Biomarker Detection

AbstractReview: 70 refs.

Palladium Paste Nanocomposite Electrode as a New Metallic Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Oxidation and Nonenzymatic Amperometric Sensor in Alkaline Medium

AbstractPalladium paste nanocomposite electrode was employed as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation and nonenzymatic amperometric ethanol sensor, in alkaline media. The combined application of unique properties of nanomaterials and ionic liquids results in electrodes with interesting advantages compared to the conventional Pd disk electrodes. High tolerance towards accumulation of carbonaceous species (CO‐like intermediates) and poisoning by strongly adsorbed species suggests this electrode suitable for many applications. The sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, low detection limit (20.0 µM), wide linear range (30.0 µM–1.6 M), ease of renewing the electrode surface, good long‐term stability and reproducibility for ethanol determination.

High-sensitivity nanosensors for biomarker detection

High sensitivity nanosensors utilize optical, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic relaxation properties to push detection limits of biomarkers below previously possible concentrations. The unique properties of nanomaterials and nanotechnology are exploited to design biomarker diagnostics. High-sensitivity recognition is achieved by signal and target amplification along with thorough pre-processing of samples. In this tutorial review, we introduce the type of detection signals read by nanosensors to detect extremely small concentrations of biomarkers and provide distinctive examples of high-sensitivity sensors. The use of such high-sensitivity nanosensors can offer earlier detection of disease than currently available to patients and create significant improvements in clinical outcomes.

Physical basis and biological mechanisms of gold nanoparticle radiosensitization

The unique properties of nanomaterials, in particular gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have applications for a wide range of biomedical applications. GNPs have been proposed as novel radiosensitizing agents due to their strong photoelectric absorption coefficient. Experimental evidence supporting the application of GNPs as radiosensitizing agents has been provided from extensive in vitro investigation and a relatively limited number of in vivo studies. Whilst these studies provide experimental evidence for the use of GNPs in combination with ionising radiation, there is an apparent disparity between the observed experimental findings and the level of radiosensitization predicted by mass energy absorption and GNP concentration. This review summarises experimental findings and attempts to highlight potential underlying biological mechanisms of response in GNP radiosensitization.

Nanotechnology for biomedical applications - enhancement of photodynamic activity by nanomaterials

Nanotechnology for biomedical applications - enhancement of photodynamic activity by nanomaterialsOver the last two decades nanotechnology has become one of the most dynamically evolving field of research. The unique properties of nanomaterials, not disclosing at microscale, are examined and exploited to extend our understanding of the interactions taking place at atomic or molecular level. Those findings affect research in many areas, like e.g. alternative energy sources, electronics, physics and medicine. In this paper, the possibility of using nanomaterials for the enhancement of photodynamic activity, is discussed. A brief review on drug-delivery facilitating nanomaterials, regarding their characteristic features, is presented. An exemplary application of silver-doped nanomaterials for enhancement of photodynamic properties of two photosensitizers: Photolon and Protoporphyrin IX, is described. Influence of silver-doped nanomaterials addition on the fluorescence intensity of photosensitizers immobilized in silica-titania (SiO2-TiO2) sol was examined via VIS spectroscopy. Influence of sonication on the fluorescence enhancement was also investigated. It was demonstrated that the fluorescence enhancement of photosensitizers depends on the concentration of both: photosensitizer and silver-doped nanoparticles.

Metal Paste Nanocomposite Electrodes as a New Generation of Metallic Electrodes

Fabrication of metal paste nanocomposite electrodes is introduced using metal nanostructures and ionic liquids. The combined application of unique properties of nanomaterials and ionic liquids in the design of these metal paste nanocomposites results in electrodes with interesting advantages compared to the conventional metal disk electrodes. In contrast to conventional metallic electrodes, which are usually prone to fouling effects and suffer from weak repeatability and reproducibility, these metal paste nanocomposite electrodes have very exciting advantages. Ease of electrode fabrication; cleaning and activating the electrode surface, together with high electrocatalytic activity; increased degree of active area and surface roughness; antifouling effect; good signal-to-noise ratio; low cost; and low weight are among the advantageous features of these electrodes. Compared to dropping mercury electrodes that have high toxicity, these metal paste nanocomposite electrodes have much less toxicity. Such abilities promote new opportunities for a wide range of electrochemical, sensing, and biosensing applications.

Al nanoclusters in coagulants and granulates: application in arsenic removal from water

The contamination of drinking and irrigation water by arsenic is a severe health risk to millions of people, particularly in developing countries. Arsenic treatment methods therefore need to advance to more durable and cost-effective solutions. In recent years, the unique properties of nanomaterials have received much attention in water treatment research, and their properties (e.g., high number of reactive surface binding sites) may make them suitable for arsenic removal. The aluminum nanoclusters Al13 (AlO4Al12(OH)24H2O12 7+) and Al30 (Al2O8Al28(OH)56(H2O)26 18+) have high specific surface charge, deprotonate over a wide pH range and exhibit a high reactivity due to a great number of OH− and H2O groups. This contribution evaluates these chemical properties of aluminum nanoclusters and their efficiency for water treatment, particularly for arsenic removal. It assesses the advantages and constraints when applied in an industrially produced aluminum coagulant or in Al granulate during water treatment.

A Novel Approach to use Nano-Sensor in WSN Applications

A particle that is able to sense a physical or environmental property at the nanoscale known as a NanoSensor. So it is assumed to be able to sense the properties of environmental conditions at very small and gaseous level. A nanosensor has unique properties of nanomaterials and nanoparticles to detect different events in the nanoscale. A nanosensor now assumed to be useful for the communication when it has Sensing unit, Actuation unit, Power unit, Processing unit, Storage unit, and Communication unit. In this paper we provide a framework to its use for the Mote in the wireless Sensor Networks. In this type of networks the NSU has a lot of importance that has a nanosensing unit. Inside NSU, we are suggesting to use the ZnO based memory due to its reliable and repeated switching of the resistance. Thus, after the combination of these two type of sensors, the network has a strong sensing capability at the nanoscale and communicating capability through WSN.

Direct synthesis and integration of functional nanostructures in microfluidic devices

Integration of functional nanostructures within a microfluidic device can synergize the advantages of both unique properties of nanomaterials and diverse functionalities of microfluidics. In this paper, we report a novel and simple method for the in situ synthesis and integration of ZnO nanowires by controlled hydrothermal reaction within microfluidic devices. By modulating synthesis parameters such as the seed preparation, synthesis time, and heating locations, the morphology and location of synthesized nanowires can be easily controlled. The applications of such nanostructure-integrated microfluidics for particle trapping and chemiresistive pH sensing were demonstrated.

High-rate synthesis of phosphine-stabilized undecagold nanoclusters using a multilayeredmicromixer

Growth in the potential applications of nanomaterials has led to a focus on thedevelopment of new manufacturing approaches for these materials. In particular, anincreased demand due to the unique properties of nanomaterials requires a substantial yieldof high-performance materials and a simultaneous reduction in the environmental impact ofthese processes. In this paper, a high-rate production of phosphine-stabilizedundecagold nanoclusters was achieved using a layer-up strategy which involvesthe use of microlamination architectures; the patterning and bonding of thinlayers of material (laminae) to create a multilayered micromixer in the range of25–250 µm thick was used to step up the production of phosphine-stabilized undecagoldnanoclusters. The continuous production of highly monodispersedphosphine-stabilized undecagold nanoclusters at a rate of about 11.8 (mg s − 1) was achieved using a microreactor with a size of1.687 cm3. This result is about 500 times over conventional batch syntheses based on the productionrate per reactor volume.

Recent advances in SALDI-MS techniques and their chemical and bioanalytical applications

Although laser desorption mass spectrometry was introduced in the 1960s, the potential of laser mass spectrometry was not realised until the introduction of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) in the 1980s. The technique relies on light-absorbing compounds called matrices that are co-crystallised with the analyte to achieve high ionisation and desorption efficiencies. MALDI offers a lot of advantages and is an indispensable tool in macromolecule analysis. However, the presence of the matrix also produces a high chemical background in the region below m/z 700 in the mass spectrum. Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (SALDI) substitutes the chemical matrix of MALDI for an active surface, which means that matrix interference can be eliminated. SALDI mass spectrometry has evolved in recent years into a technique with great potential to provide insight into many of the challenges faced in modern research, including the growing interest in "omics" and the demands of pharmaceutical science. A great variety of materials have been reported to work in SALDI. Examples include a number of nanomaterials and surfaces. The unique properties of nanomaterials greatly facilitate analyte desorption and ionisation. This article reviews recent advances made in relation to carbon- and semiconductor-based SALDI strategies. Examples of their environmental, chemical and biomedical applications are discussed with the aim of highlighting progression in the field and the robustness of the technique, as well as to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of individual approaches. In addition, this article describes the physical and chemical processes involved in SALDI and explains how the unique physical and electronic properties of nanostructured surfaces allow them to substitute for the matrix in energy transfer processes.

Prospects of Nanotechnology in Clinical Immunodiagnostics

Nanostructured materials are promising compounds that offer new opportunities as sensing platforms for the detection of biomolecules. Having micrometer-scale length and nanometer-scale diameters, nanomaterials can be manipulated with current nanofabrication methods, as well as self-assembly techniques, to fabricate nanoscale bio-sensing devices. Nanostructured materials possess extraordinary physical, mechanical, electrical, thermal and multifunctional properties. Such unique properties advocate their use as biomimetic membranes to immobilize and modify biomolecules on the surface of nanoparticles. Alignment, uniform dispersion, selective growth and diameter control are general parameters which play critical roles in the successful integration of nanostructures for the fabrication of bioelectronic sensing devices. In this review, we focus on different types and aspects of nanomaterials, including their synthesis, properties, conjugation with biomolecules and their application in the construction of immunosensing devices. Some key results from each cited article are summarized by relating the concept and mechanism behind each sensor, experimental conditions and the behavior of the sensor under different conditions, etc. The variety of nanomaterial-based bioelectronic devices exhibiting novel functions proves the unique properties of nanomaterials in such sensing devices, which will surely continue to expand in the future. Such nanomaterial based devices are expected to have a major impact in clinical immunodiagnostics, environmental monitoring, security surveillance and for ensuring food safety.