Fabrication and characteristics of self‐aggregation nanoparticles used for conformance control treatment

In order to alleviate the contradiction between injectability of the profile control agent and its profile control performance, a novel core‐shell heterogeneous structure colloidal particles (CSA) were synthesized, and the mechanism of self‐aggregation plugging was proposed. Cross‐linking inside the nanoparticles and chain‐growth polymerization via capturing acrylamide in the aqueous phase result in the formation of core‐shell heterogeneous structures as proved by TEM observation and XPS analysis. Moreover, CSA nanoparticles exhibit good hydrophilic properties, outstanding thermal stability and limited expansion capacity. Effects of different metal cations and surface group on the self‐aggregation time of CSA nanoparticles were systematically studied. Results showed that divalent cations contributed to more significant aggregation of CSA nanoparticles in comparison to monovalent cations. The increasing cations concentration and valency decreased the thickness of electric double layer, which lead to a decrease in the zeta potential. Core flooding test shows that the injection of nanoparticles which diameter is much smaller that of pore‐throats into the target reservoir can not only successfully enter the depth of porous media, but also effectively block the high permeability areas by the formation of self‐aggregation particle clusters. This study provides a new method for the equilibrium between nanoparticles injectivity and in‐depth profile control of nanoparticles.     

Influence of surface conductivity on the apparent zeta potential of TiO2 nanoparticles

Zeta potential is a physico-chemical parameter of particular importance in describing ion adsorption and electrostatic interactions between charged particles. Nevertheless, this fundamental parameter is ill-constrained, because its experimental interpretation is complex, particularly for very small and charged TiO(2) nanoparticles. The excess of electrical charge at the interface is responsible for surface conductance, which can significantly lower the electrophoretic measurements, and hence the apparent zeta potential. Consequently, the intrinsic zeta potential can have a larger amplitude, even in the case of simple 1:1 electrolytes like NaCl and KCl. Surface conductance of TiO(2) nanoparticles immersed in a NaCl solution is estimated using a surface complexation model, and this parameter and particle size are incorporated into Henry's model in order to determine a constrained value of the zeta potential from electrophoresis. Interior conductivity of the agglomerates is calculated using a differential self-consistent model. The amplitude of estimated zeta potential is greater than that derived from the von Smoluchowski equation and corresponds to the electric potential at the outer Helmholtz plane calculated by our surface complexation model. Consequently, the shear plane may be located close to the OHP, contradicting the assumption of the presence of a stagnant diffuse layer at the TiO(2)/water interface.     

Determination of zeta potentials of polymeric nanoparticles by the conductivity variation method

An easy method of measurement of the zeta potentials of sub-50-nm polymeric nanoparticles is suggested. Although zeta potential measurements of nanoparticles or emulsions above 50 nm have been successfully carried out, zeta potentials of emulsions or nanoparticles below 50 nm could not be precisely measured in the region of extremely low conductivity by conventional electrophoresis with a He-Ne laser. However, zeta potentials of sub-50-nm nanoparticles were measured in the region of thin electrical double layers by addition of sodium chloride and zeta potentials in the condition without sodium chloride could be predicted by extrapolation of the measured potentials. The electrophoretic mobility of 150-nm nanoparticles stabilized with sodium dodecylsulfate was the same as that calculated from extrapolation of the measured ones. The zeta potentials of sub-50-nm nanoparticles stabilized with sodium dodecylsulfate could be calculated by the same procedure.     

醇热解法合成超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒子及其性能

以甲氧基聚乙二醇同时作为溶剂、还原剂及修饰剂,在高温下分解乙酰丙酮铁,制备了纳米Fe3O4粒子,采用透射电子显微镜和X射线衍射分析表征材料的形貌和相组成,傅里叶变换红外光谱仪表征材料的表面修饰物,超导量子干涉仪测试合成的纳米粒子的磁性能,纳米粒度与zeta电势分析仪测试磁性纳米粒子在水中的zeta电势。 结果表明,纳米Fe3O4粒子的大小为（10.1±1.6） nm,粒度均一,单分散性好,在300 K下具有超顺磁性,饱和磁化强度为45 A·m2/kg。 红外结果表明,-COO-共价结合在粒子表面。 zeta电势为-25 mV。 其在水中的稳定性与以三甘醇为反应介质、高温分解法制备的纳米Fe3O4粒子作比较,表现出长时间（60 d以上）的良好分散性。 静电作用及空间位阻效应是其高稳定分散性的原因。     

Electrokinetic characterization of porous plugs from streaming potential coupled with electrical resistance measurements

The zeta potential of mixed nickel-iron oxide particles is evaluated by a new laboratory instrument. This latter allows the measurement of streaming potential together with the electrical resistance of porous plugs. The conductivity of electrolyte inside plug (pore conductivity) is deduced from electrical resistance measurements and is used together with streaming potential to evaluate the zeta potential by accounting for the surface conduction phenomenon. It is shown that neglecting the surface conduction phenomenon leads to a substantial underestimation of the zeta potential. The coupled measurements of streaming potential and plug electrical resistance yield zeta potential values that are in very good agreement with those obtained by electrophoresis. The densification of the porous plug with increasing pressure increments is put in evidence by the decrease in measured streaming potentials. Electrical resistance measurements make it possible to account for the increase in surface conductivity resulting from the more compacted structure of the plug. By doing so, the calculated zeta potential is found to be virtually independent of the pressure difference involved in streaming potential experiments, whereas the negligence of surface conduction phenomenon leads to a decrease in the apparent zeta potential with increasing pressure level.     

Encapsulation of drug nanoparticles in self-assembled macromolecular nanoshells

Layer-by-Layer (LbL) stepwise self-assembly of the polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(styrenesulfonate) was used to create a macromolecular nanoshell around drug nanoparticles (approximately 150 nm in diameter). Dexamethasone, a steroid often used in conjugation with chemotherapy, was chosen as a model drug and was formulated into nanoparticles using a modified solvent-evaporation emulsification method. Measurement of the zeta potential (zeta-potential) after each polyelectrolyte layer was electrostatically added confirmed the successful addition of each layer. Additionally, data acquired from X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the presence of peaks representative of each physisorbed polyelectrolyte layer. Surface modification of the nanoshell was performed by covalently attaching poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 2000 to the outer surface of the nanoshell. Zeta potential measurements and XPS indicated the presence of PEG chains at the surface of the nanoshell. The polymeric nanoshell on the surface of the drug nanoparticle provides a template upon which surface modifications can be made to create a stealth or targeted drug delivery system.     

Preparation of biotinylated glyconanoparticles via a photochemical process and study of their bioconjugation to streptavidin

We report here the preparation of novel biotinylated glyconanoparticles from well-defined biotinylated glycopolymers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process. The in situ reduction of the biotinylated glycopolymers, PNIPAAm, poly(ethylene glycol), and HAuCl4 via a photochemical process resulted in the formation of biotinylated gold nanoparticles. The multifunctional biotinylated glyconanoparticles were then evaluated for their bioconjugation toward streptavidin using UV-vis spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The biotinylated nanoparticles underwent aggregation in the presence of streptavidin as revealed by spectrophotometry, which indicates the accessibility of the biotin for conjugation. These results were further confirmed by surface plasmon resonance even in the case of surface-immobilized streptavidin.     

Synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles using imidazolium-based ionic liquid

Highly stable, aqueous dispersions, and hydrophilic ionic liquid-capped silver nanoparticles with positive surface charge were synthesized by in situ reduction of AgNO₃ with NaBH₄ in the presence of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid, viz., 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₁₂mim][Cl]) at room temperature. Prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential. UV–visible spectrum of the aqueous medium peaked at 407 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of the particles with sizes about 9 nm and low polydispersed. The surface charge of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was determined as +5.0 mV. The ionic liquid ([C₁₂mim][Cl]) capped silver nanoparticles were stable for at least 8 months.     

Fast and facile synthesis of silica coated silver nanoparticles by microwave irradiation

A novel, fast and facile microwave technique has been developed for preparing monodispersed silica coated silver (Ag@SiO(2)) nanoparticles. Without using any other surface coupling agents such as 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) or polymer such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Ag@SiO(2) nanoparticles could be easily prepared by microwave irradiation of a mixture of colloidal silver nanoparticles, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and catalyst for only 2 min. The thickness of silica shell could be conveniently controlled in the range of few nanometers (nm) to 80 nm by changing the concentration of TEOS. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible spectroscopy were employed to characterize the morphology and optical properties of the prepared Ag@SiO(2) nanoparticles, respectively. The prepared Ag@SiO(2) nanoparticles exhibited a change in surface plasmon absorption depending on the silica thickness. Compared to the conventional techniques based on St?ber method, which need 4-24 h for silica coating of Ag nanoparticles, this new technique is capable of synthesizing monodispersed, uniform and single core containing Ag@SiO(2) nanoparticles within very short reaction time. In addition, straightforward surface functionalization of the prepared Ag@SiO(2) nanoparticles with desired functional groups was performed to make the particles useful for many applications. The components of surface functionalized nanoparticles were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Fabrication of Xanthan stabilized green gold nanoparticles based tolbutamide delivery system for enhanced insulin secretion in mice pancreatic islets

Abstract

Tolbutamide is an oral anti-diabetic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients. Its lower absorption results in its inferior therapeutic efficacy. Nano-carrier systems have the subject of greater interests for enhancing efficacy of such drugs. Current study was designed to improve the tolbutamide therapeutic efficacy through its delivery in Gum Xanthan (GX) stabilized green gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). GX stabilized AuNPs were characterized for surface plasmon resonance (SPR), morphology, size, polydisoersity index (PDI) and zeta potential through UV spectrophotometer, atomic force microscope (AFM) and zetasizer respectively. They were used for loading tolbutamide and loaded nanoparticles were investigated for morphology, size, PDI, zeta potential and drug loading efficiency. FT-IR analysis was used for conforming GX functional groups involvement in AuNPs stabilization and drug-excepients interactions. Tolbutamide loaded in the synthesized nanoparticles was investigated for its insulin secretion potentials in isolated mice islets. Synthesized AuNPs were found in nano-size range with spherical morphology, increased surface negativity and loaded increased concentration of drug without changing its chemical nature. They markedly enhanced the tolbutamide insulin secretion potentials as compared to simple drug solution. Results confirm that the developed nano-carrier system is highly efficient in achieving higher therapeutic efficacy of drugs like tolbutamide.     

Determining the Zeta Potential of Porous Membranes Using Electrolyte Conductivity inside Pores

The zeta potential is an important and reliable indicator of the surface charge of membranes, and knowledge of it is essential for the design and operation of membrane processes. The zeta potential cannot be measured directly, but must be deduced from experiments by means of a model. The possibility of determining the zeta potential of porous membranes from measurements of the electrolyte conductivity inside pores (lambda(pore)) is investigated in the case of a ceramic microfiltration membrane. To this end, experimental measurements of the electrical resistance in pores are performed with the membrane filled with KCl solutions of various pHs and concentrations. lambda(pore) is deduced from these experiments. The farther the pH is from the isoelectric point and/or the lower the salt concentration is, the higher the ratio of the electrolyte conductivity inside pores to the bulk conductivity is, due to a more important contribution of the surface conduction. Zeta potentials are calculated from lambda(pore) values by means of a space charge model and compared to those calculated from streaming potential measurements. It is found that the isoelectric points are very close and that zeta potential values for both methods are in quite good agreement. The differences observed in zeta potentials could be due to the fact that the space charge model does not consider the surface conductivity in the inner part of the double layer. Measurements of the electrolyte conductivity within the membrane pores are proved to be a well-adapted procedure for the determination of the zeta potential in situations where the contribution of the surface conduction is significant, i.e., for small and charged pores. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Novel multiparametric approach to elucidate the surface amine-silanization reaction profile on fluorescent silica nanoparticles

This Article addresses the important issue of the characterization of surface functional groups for optical bioassay applications. We use a model system consisting of spherical dye-doped silica nanoparticles (NPs) that have been functionalized with amine groups whereby the encapsulated cyanine-based near-infrared dye fluorescence acts as a probe of the NP surface environment. This facilitates the identification of the optimum deposition parameters for the formation of a stable ordered amine monolayer and also elucidates the functionalization profile of the amine-silanization process. Specifically, we use a novel approach where the techniques of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and fluorescence lifetime measurement (FL) are used in conjunction with the more conventional analytical techniques of zeta potential measurement and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The dynamics of the ordering of the amine layer in different stages of the reaction have been characterized by FTIR, FL, and FCS. The results indicate an optimum reaction time for the formation of a stable amine layer, which is optimized for further biomolecular conjugation, whereas extended reaction times lead to a disordered cross-linked layer. The results have been validated using an immunoglobulin (IgG) plate-based direct binding assay where the maximum number of IgG-conjugated aminated NPs were captured by immobilized anti-IgG antibodies for the NP sample corresponding to the optimized amine-silanization condition. Importantly, these results point to the potential of FCS and FL as useful analytical tools in diverse fields such as characterization of surface functionalization.     

A new parameter to control heat transport in nanofluids: surface charge state of the particle in suspension

Although various conjectures have been proposed to explain the abnormal increase in thermal conductivity of nanofluids, the detailed mechanism has not been fully understood and explained. The main reason is due to the lack of knowledge of the most fundamental factor governing the mechanisms such as Brownian motion, liquid layering, phonon transport, surface chemical effects, and agglomeration. Applying a surface complexation model for the measurement data of hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, and thermal conductivity, we have shown that surface charge states are mainly responsible for the increase in the present condition and may be the factor incorporating all the mechanisms as well.     

The electrical conductivity and surface conduction of consolidated rock cores

A fully computerized high-pressure and high-temperature core holder device is simultaneously used to determine the electrical conductivity, zeta potential, and surface conductivity of consolidated rock cores in aqueous and nonaqueous systems. The total electrical conductivity of rock cores was determined by coupling streaming current and potential measurements. This shows that neglecting the surface conductivity Ksigma is crucial to converting the streaming potential into zeta potentials. It is observed that plots of the core total conductivity as a function of the electrolyte conductivity KL exhibit two behaviors. At low ionic strength, the core conductivity clearly depends on the contribution of surface conductivity behind the slip plane, whereas at higher ionic strength, the magnitude of the surface conductivity becomes negligible. The electrical conductivity of rock cores was found to be in good agreement with the O'Brien theory and the Briggs method. The contribution of the stagnant layer to the surface conductivity in nonaqueous systems has been shown to be significant. This shows that the stagnant layer displays significantly different behavior in different nonaqueous systems, depending on the core porosity and the double-layer overlap. The results indicate that the application of electrokinetics in petroleum reservoirs can provide important insights into reservoir fluid flow characterization.     

Environmentally sensitive silver nanoparticles of controlled size synthesized with PNIPAM as a nucleating and capping agent

Metal nanoparticles combined with environmentally sensitive polymers can lead to enhanced nanometer-sized switches. We present a silver nanoparticle synthesis method that uses poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as the nucleating, capping, and stabilizing agent. The synthesis is performed at room temperature by sodium borohydride-mediated reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of a fully hydrated polymer. The resulting metal nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution comparable to or better than those achieved with other synthesis methods. The silver particles can be thermally precipitated by the collapse of the PNIPAM shell and resolubilized with fast response times, as shown by surface plasmon spectroscopy. The silver-PNIPAM composite allows for combined surface plasmon and thermal switching applications.     

Dielectric medium effects on collective surface plasmon coupling interactions in oligothiophene-linked gold nanoparticles

The near-field coupling interactions between surface plasmon modes of neighboring metal nanoparticles (NPs) are investigated in thin films of oligothiophene-linked Au NPs. The oligothiophene linker facilitates near-field coupling between adjacent NPs, and disruption of the conjugation in the oligothiophene by chemical oxidation leads to a decrease in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) coupling between neighboring particles. The SPR coupling between NPs was found to be highly dependent on the dielectric constant of the medium that the films are exposed to, where a higher dielectric medium leads to weaker coupling. The dependence of the SPR coupling on the dielectric constant of the medium is explained using electrodynamic theory.     

Au nanoparticle monolayers covered with sol-gel oxide thin films: optical and morphological study

In this work, we provide a detailed study of the influence of thermal annealing on submonolayer Au nanoparticle deposited on functionalized surfaces as standalone films and those that are coated with sol-gel NiO and TiO(2) thin films. The systems are characterized through the use of UV-vis absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The surface plasmon resonance peak of the Au nanoparticles was found to red-shift and increase in intensity with increasing surface coverage, an observation that is directly correlated to the complex refractive index properties of Au nanoparticle layers. The standalone Au nanoparticles sinter at 200 °C, and a relationship between the optical properties and the annealing temperature is presented. When overcoated with sol-gel metal oxide films (NiO, TiO(2)), the optical properties of the Au nanoparticles are strongly affected by the metal oxide, resulting in an intense red shift and broadening of the plasmon band; moreover, the temperature-driven sintering is strongly limited by the metal oxide layer. Optical sensing tests for ethanol vapor are presented as one possible application, showing reversible sensing dynamics and confirming the effect of Au nanoparticles in increasing the sensitivity and in providing a wavelength dependent response, thus confirming the potential use of such materials as optical probes.     

Thermoresponsive assembly of charged gold nanoparticles and their reversible tuning of plasmon coupling

Charged colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be assembled and disassembled in an aqueous solution in response to temperature change and display reversible thermoresponsive tuning of plasmon coupling. The reversible tuning was made possible by manipulating the electrostatic interaction through the temperature-dependent zeta potential of the charged AuNPs (see the extinction spectra of a typical AuNP dispersion).     

An improved method for determining zeta potential and pore conductivity of porous materials

An improved method based on streaming potential and streaming current was proposed to determine zeta potential and surface conductance of porous material simultaneously. In the electrokinetic generation mode, a resistor is connected to the generator and by measuring the voltage drop across resistors with different resistance, a true streaming current can be determined. The zeta potential and surface conductivity can be obtained simultaneously from their relation to streaming potential and streaming current. The electrode and ion concentration polarization effects during the measurement were also discussed. The resistance from channel ends to electrodes, which has typically been ignored in the literature, was shown to have a significant influence on the calculated zeta potential and surface conductance. Ignorance of this resistance would lead to underestimation of both zeta potential and surface conductance values.     

Localized surface plasmon resonance: nanostructures, bioassays and biosensing--a review

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is an optical phenomena generated by light when it interacts with conductive nanoparticles (NPs) that are smaller than the incident wavelength. As in surface plasmon resonance, the electric field of incident light can be deposited to collectively excite electrons of a conduction band, with the result being coherent localized plasmon oscillations with a resonant frequency that strongly depends on the composition, size, geometry, dielectric environment and separation distance of NPs. This review serves to describe the physical theory of LSPR formation at the surface of nanostructures, and the potential for this optical technology to serve as a basis for the development bioassays and biosensing of high sensitivity. The benefits and challenges associated with various experimental designs of nanoparticles and detection systems, as well as creative approaches that have been developed to improve sensitivity and limits of detection are highlighted using examples from the literature.