Antibacterial study of Eucalyptus grandis fabricated zinc oxide and magnesium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles and its characterization

Mg-doped zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using methanolic seed extract from the Eucalyptus grandis plant via a green approach. Phytoconstituents present in seed extract act as capping and stabilizing agents for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Doping of Mg to zinc oxide nanoparticles increases the bandgap energy, thus enhancing its chemical, physical and optical properties. Further, it was characterized by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy giving morphological information about the wurtzite hexagonal structure of bio-synthesized nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction technique tells about the crystalline nature of particles and the average crystallite size for zinc oxide and doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. Mg as a dopant enhances the properties of nanoparticles, thus making it more efficiently applicable as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli, gram-negative bacteria.     

Photocatalytic,antibacterial and anticancer activity of silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag-ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized by the Sol-gel method coated with polyethylene glycol as a stabilizing and capping agent. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer analysis was done to analyze the optical property of the nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles and the reduction in the intensity of the peaks of Ag-ZnO NPs indicates the incorporation of Ag⁺ ions in the ZnO lattices. The surface structural properties of the NPs were confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The elemental composition of nanoparticles was confirmed by EDAX and XRF-Spectroscopy. The functional group of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles were determined by FT-IR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of Ag-ZnO NPs was studied against ponceau and the maximum degradation percentage was observed to be 89% at 140 min. Further, Ag-ZnO NPs unveiled high potent antibacterial activity against the selected bacterial pathogens and it also rendered significant anticancer activity in UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Consequently, the fluorescent microscopic analysis confirmed the increasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) loss in the HaCaT cells that leads to the apoptosis induction. Hence, the selected combination of nanoparticles has proven to exhibit higher photocatalytic, antibacterial and anticancer activity. In the near future, it could be an efficient tool for eradicating the dye pollution from wastewater and also preferably be utilized in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries to prevent skin cancer.     

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide: A convenient heterogeneous catalyst for reduction of various carbonyl compounds using triethylsilane

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide ‐ triethylsilane was found to be an effective reductive system for a broad range of reduction processes, including the reduction of various carbonyl compounds such as aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols or methyl arene compounds, aromatic ketones to their respective alcohols or saturated compounds, aromatic acyl chlorides to their reduced compounds. The desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. The heterogeneous environmentally friendly catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture through a simple filtration, facilitating purification of the prepared compounds.     

Synthesis of zinc glutarates with various morphologies using an amphiphilic template and their catalytic activities in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide

Various heterogeneous zinc glutarate (ZnGA) catalysts were synthesized in solvent systems of various polarities from zinc acetate dihydrate and glutaric acid with and without the aid of an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol‐b‐propylene glycol‐b‐ethylene glycol) (PE6400), as a template. The presence of the PE6400 template and the polarity of the solvent significantly affected the morphology, particle size, surface area, and crystallinity of the resulting catalyst. However, all the catalysts had the same crystal lattice unit cell structure and similar surface compositions. The surface compositions of the catalysts were quite different from those of conventionally prepared ZnGA catalysts, that is, those prepared from zinc oxide and glutaric acid in toluene. All these characteristics of the catalysts influenced the ZnGA‐catalyzed copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide. The catalytic activities of the catalysts in this copolymerization depended primarily on their surface area and secondarily on their crystallinity; a larger surface area and a higher crystallinity resulted in higher catalytic activity. Of the catalysts that we prepared, the ZnGA catalyst that was prepared in ethanol containing 5.5 wt % water with the PE6400 template, ZnGA‐PE3, exhibited the highest catalytic activity in the copolymerization. The catalytic activity of ZnGA‐PE3 was attributed to its wrinkled petal bundle morphology, which provided a large surface area and high crystallinity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4079–4088, 2005     

Unprecedented alkylzinc-magnesium alkoxide clusters as suitable organometallic precursors for magnesium-containing ZnO nanoparticles

The synthesis and characterization of the first heterobimetallic methylzinc–magnesium alkoxide clusters [Me₆MgZn₆(OR)₈] [R=Et ( 1 a ), n‐Pr ( 1 b ), nBu ( 1 c )] with a bis‐cubane‐shaped MgZn₆O₈ core is described. The thermal degradation of 1 a – c and mixtures of 1 a and the homometallic MeZn–alkoxide cubane [{MeZnOtBu}₄] ( 2 ) in dry synthetic air led to wide‐band‐gap semiconducting Mg_xZn_1?xO nanoparticles at temperatures below 500 °C. The final materials were characterized by different analytical techniques such as PXRD, REM, TEM, EDX, and IR spectroscopy. The morphology of the as‐prepared magnesium‐containing ZnO samples is influenced by the different organo groups (alkoxo) in the precursors. EDX mapping showed that magnesium is uniformly distributed in the ZnO matrix. The incorporation of magnesium led to a distortion of the ZnO lattice with increased a axis and decreased c axis parameters. Room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra reveal that the near‐band‐edge (NBE) emission of Mg²⁺‐doped ZnO is shifted to higher energies relative to that of pure ZnO.     

Polysaccharide-modified iron oxide nanoparticles as an effective magnetic affinity adsorbent for bovine serum albumin

The magnetic separation technique based on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) has potential applications in protein adsorption and purification, enzyme immobilization, cell sorting, nucleic acid detachment, and drug release. However, the naked MNPs are often insufficient for their hydrophilicity, colloidal stability, and further functionalization. To overcome these limitations, chitosan was firstly carboxymethylated and then covalently conjugated on the surface of the MNPs ranging in size from about 5 to 15 nm, which were prepared by co-precipitating iron (II) and iron (III) in alkaline solution and then treating under hydrothermal conditions. It was found that such modification did not result in the phase change of the MNPs, and the resultant modified nanoparticles were still superparamagnetic. In particular, the colloidal stability of MNPs in aqueous suspension was improved after the surface modification. By investigating the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the modified MNPs, it was observed that the adsorption capacity of the BSA on the modified MNPs increased rapidly within several minutes and then reached the maximum value at about 10 min. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm could be fitted well by the Langmuir model. The medium pH affected greatly the adsorption of the BSA. The maximum adsorption of the BSA occurred at the pH value close to the isoelectric point of the BSA, with a saturation adsorption amount of 94.45 mg/g (25 °C). For the BSA feed concentration of 1.017 mg/ml, a high desorption percentage of 91.5% could be achieved under an alkaline condition (pH 9.4).     

Precise modulation of spatially distributed inorganic nanoparticles in block copolymers-based self-assemblies with diverse morphologies

Block copolymers (BCPs)-based self-assemblies with various morphological and compartmental structures can serve as universal polymeric scaffolds for the incorporation of diverse inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) within the disparate polymer domains of the formed aggregates. The properties and performance of the resulting BCPs–NPs hybrids depend not only on the organic and inorganic building moieties, but also on the spatial distribution of inorganic NPs within organic aggregates. However, few publications have so far made a systematical clarification of the effect of the critical parameters on the morphological control of BCPs–NPs hybrids and the spatial localization of NPs within the BCPs-based aggregates as well as their properties for potential applications. For this purpose, we summarized the co-operative assembly of BCPs and NPs in solution and emulsion with an emphasis on the precisely modulated localization of NPs in different domains of BCP aggregates with various morphologies. Specifically, we made detailed discussion on the effect of size, shape and surface property of NPs on the loading number and selective localization of NPs within BCP aggregates. The important guidelines drawn herein on the precise modulation of spatially distributed NPs in BCP aggregates are believed to inspire the generation of more novel hybrid materials for various applications.     

Optical properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles and nanorods synthesized using an organometallic method.

The emission properties of nanocrystalline ZnO particles prepared following an organometallic synthetic method are investigated. Spherical particles and nanorods are studied. The shape of the particles and the ligands used are shown to influence the luminescence properties in the visible domain. Two different emissions are observed at 440 nm (approximately 2.82 eV) and at 580 nm (approximately 2.14 eV) that are associated with the presence of surface defects on the particles. The first emission corresponds to the well-known yellow emission located at 580 nm (approximately 2.14 eV) with a lifetime of 1850 ns for 4.0 nm size ZnO nanoparticles. The second emission at 440 nm (approximately 2.82 eV) is observed when amine functions are present. This strong blue emission is associated with an excitation energy less than that associated with the yellow emission displaying a lifetime of nine nanoseconds. A possible hole trapping effect by the amine groups on the surface of the ZnO particles is discussed as the origin of this emission. The modification of the intensities between the two visible emissions for different particle shapes is proposed to be related to a specific location of the amine ligands on the surface of the particles.     

从氧化锌矿制备高纯超细ZnO粉体

超细ＺｎＯ具有表面效应、体积效应、久保效应以及优良的光活性、电活性、烧结活性和催化活性 ,可用来制造气体传感器、荧光体、紫外线遮蔽材料、变阻器、图像记录材料、压电材料、压敏电阻、高效催化剂、磁性材料、陶瓷材料、化妆品及医药材料。在橡胶工业、染料油墨等领域也有应用前景[1～ 5] 。目前 ,国内外对制备超细ＺｎＯ粉体的研究文章较多 ,但以氧化锌矿为原料直接研制的文章还很少。湿化学法是近二十年来超细ＺｎＯ产品应用开发的主要活跃点之一 ,直接沉淀法是制备超细ＺｎＯ的一种重要湿化学方法 ,它是在含有一种或多种粒子的可溶…     

High Photocatalytic Properties of Zinc OxideNanoparticles with Amidoximated BacterialCellulose Nanofibers as Templates简

The freshly prepared water-wet amidoximated bacterial cellulose （Am-BC） serves as an effective nanoreactor to synthesis zinc oxide nanoparticles by in situ polyol method. The obtained ZnO/Am-BC nanocomposites have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）. The influence of the zinc acetate concentration on the morphologies and size ofZnO nanoparticles and the possible formation mechanism were discussed. The results indicated that uniform ZnO nanoparticles were homogeneously anchored on the Am-BC nanofibers through strong interaction between the hydroxyl and amino groups of Am-BC and ZnO nanoparticles. The loading content of ZnO nanoparticles is higher using Am-BC as a template than using the unmodified bacterial cellulose. The resultant nanocomposite synthesized at 0.05 wt% shows a high photocatalytic activity （92%） in the degradation of methyl orange.     

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of a curcumin zinc complex

ZnO nanoparticles were generated by thermal decomposition of a binuclear zinc (II) curcumin complex as single source precursor. Thermal behavior of the precursor showed a considerable weight loss at about 374 °C by an exothermic reaction with a maximum weight loss rate of 14%/min. Complete decomposition of precursor was observed within 49 min with a heating rate of 10 °C/min. Synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction microscopy. Results revealed monodispersed hexagonal zincite structure with an average size of 117 ± 4 nm.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of precursors of neodymium oxide nanoparticles

The nanometric precursors of neodymium oxide of various morphologies were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction route. The precursors and their thermal evolution to neodymium oxide phase were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), thermal analysis (TG, DTA, EGA-MS), FTIR and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the reaction conditions (temperature, pressure) played a key role for the product formation of desired morphology and structure. At mild conditions (140 °C) precursor with unusual fibrous morphology and Nd(OH)_2.45(Ac)_0.550.45H₂O stoichiometry was obtained. Upon heating this phase transformed, via intermediate cubic oxide, into trigonal Nd₂O₃ at 800 °C. Nd(OH)₃ hydroxide obtained at severe conditions (180 °C) transformed upon heating into cubic Nd₂O₃ phase at about 500 °C and this phase was stabilised even at 800 °C. The fibrous precursors appeared to be a convenient material for preparation of homogeneous thin coatings on planar substrates is shown.     

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoflowers using Hypericum triquetrifolium extract: characterization,antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity against lung cancer A549 cells

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have attracted significant interest in recent years due to their unique multifunctional chemical and physical properties along with their biological activities. This study demonstrated for the first time the biogenetic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by utilization of the methanolic extract of Hypericum triquetrifolium (HT). The obtained nanoparticles (HT-ZnO) were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The shape of the resulted nanoparticles is fusiform nanoflowers with an average hydrodynamic size of 275.46 ± 0.20 nm and a zeta potential of −8.23 ± 0.26 mV. SEM micrographs revealed that HT-ZnO nanoflowers have a multi-process structure in which one of the processes is large and the others have similar smaller dimensions. The synthesized nanoflowers have an average length of 312.28 ± 78.93 nm and the tip of its processes has a width of 48.69 ± 9.71 nm. The antimicrobial activity of HT-ZnO nanoflowers was performed using microbroth dilution format. It showed a bactericidal mode of action against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis with MIC/MBC values of 20 μg/mL and 5 μg/mL, respectively. MTT assay had revealed that HT-ZnO nanoflowers caused a dose-dependent decline in the viability of A549 adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells with an IC₅₀ value of 20.45 μg/mL. The effect of HT-ZnO nanoflowers on the migration and colony formation abilities against the same cells was evaluated as well. In conclusion, zinc oxide nanoflowers were successfully synthesized using methanolic extract of H. triquetrifolium. The resulting particles showed a bactericidal effect against Gram-positiveS. aureus and E. faecalis and a cytotoxic activity against A549 cells.     

Electrodeposition of zinc oxide nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified electrode for determination of caffeine in wastewater effluent

We report on the development of an electrochemical sensor based on electrodepositing zinc oxide on multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode for the detection of caffeine in pharmaceutical wastewater effluents. The measurements were carried out using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). DPV measurements showed a linear relationship between oxidation peak current and concentration of caffeine in 0.1 M HClO₄ (pH 1.0) over the concentration range 0.00388–4.85 mg/L and a detection limit of 0.00194 mg/L. The diffusion coefficient and Langmuir adsorption constant for caffeine were calculated to be 3.25 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1 and 1.10 × 10³ M^?1, respectively. The sensor showed satisfactory results when applied to the detection of caffeine in wastewater effluents.     

Optimization and ecofriendly synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles as potential antioxidant

The present study involves the use of Box-Behnken design for optimization of the energy-efficient process variables, eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles of iron oxide using Coriandrum sativum L. (cilantro) leaf extract. The factors, which significantly influenced mean nanoparticle size, surface charge, and size distribution, were the volume of leaf extract, agitation speed, and temperature. The developed model using Box-Behnken design was validated by synthesizing the iron nanoparticles using optimized operational conditions i.e. 10 ml volume of leaf extract, 1500 rpm agitation speed and 30 °C temperature. This resulted in the formation of highly stable iron oxide nanoparticles with mean particle size 161.5 nm and polydispersity index 0.132 with a zeta potential of −19.5 mV. The free radical inhibitory activity of prepared iron oxide nanoparticles was found comparable to ascorbic acid. These results reveal that iron nanoparticles for a biomedical application can be prepared at ambient temperature in an eco-friendly manner.     

Preparation and characterization of hexamethylenetetramine‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and their application as novel catalyst for the synthesis of pyranopyrazole derivatives

A new magnetic catalyst was prepared through the reaction of silanol groups, on the surface of silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, with (3‐chloropropyl)triethoxysilane followed by hexamethylenetetramine and chlorosulfonic acid. The obtained magnetic catalyst was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis. Its catalytic activity was investigated in the synthesis of pyranopyrazole compounds, and the results were excellent regarding high yield of the products and short reaction time.     

Separation of organic acid compounds from biological samples by zinc oxide nanoparticles–chitosan using genetic algorithm based on response surface methodology and artificial neural network

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles–chitosan based on solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography was developed for the separation of organic compounds including citric, tartaric and oxalic acids from biological samples. For simulation and optimization of this method, the hybrids of genetic algorithm with response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) have been used. The predictive capability and generalization of both predictive models (RSM and ANN) were compared by unseen data. The results have shown the superiority of ANN compared with RSM. At the optimum conditions, the limits of detections of 2.2–2.9 µg L⁻¹ were obtained for the analytes. The developed procedure was then applied to the extraction and determination of organic acid compounds from biological samples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.