Growth and spectroscopic characterization of CdSe nanoparticles synthesized from CdCl2 and Na2SeSO3 in aqueous gelatine solutions

CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized in comparatively mild conditions from Na₂SeSO₃ and CdCl₂ in aqueous gelatine solutions. Kinetics of the formation and growth of CdSe nanocrystals as well as the effect of various parameters of reacting mixture on the size of CdSe nanocrystals are investigated. Optical properties of thin gelatine films, containing CdSe nanoparticles of different size, are characterized using absorption and Raman spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of metallic copper nanoparticles via thermal decomposition

Copper oxalate was used as a precursor to prepare metallic copper nanoparticles by thermal decomposition. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed broad pattern for fcc crystal structure of copper metal. The particle size by use of Debye–Scherrer’s equation was calculated to be about 40 nm.     

Extremely sensitive sandwich assay of kanamycin using surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole labeled gold@silver nanoparticles

Herein, we report the development of extremely sensitive sandwich assay of kanamycin using a combination of anti-kanamycin functionalized hybrid magnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (MNPs) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole labeled Au-core@Ag-shell nanoparticles as the recognition and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, respectively. The hybrid MNPs were first prepared via surface-mediated RAFT polymerization of N-acryloyl-l-glutamic acid in the presence of 2-(butylsulfanylcarbonylthiolsulfanyl) propionic acid-modified MNPs as a RAFT agent and then biofunctionalized with anti-kanamycin, which are both specific for kanamycin and can be collected via a simple magnet. After separating kanamycin from the sample matrix, they were sandwiched with the SERS substrate. According to our experimental results, the limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 2 pg mL⁻¹, this value being about 3–7 times more than sensitive than the LOD of previously reported results, which can be explained by the higher SERS activity of silver coated gold nanoparticles. The analysis time took less than 10 min, including washing and optical detection steps. Furthermore, the sandwich assay was evaluated for investigating the kanamycin specificity on neomycin, gentamycin and streptomycin and detecting kanamycin in artificially contaminated milk.     

The effect of PbS nanoparticles on the formation of PbSe in aqueous solutions of sodium selenosulfate and lead(II)

It was established that PbS nanoparticles significantly increase the rate of formation of lead selenide during the reaction of Pb(NO₃)₂ and Na₂SeSO₃ in aqueous solutions of polymers. It was shown that the reaction product consists of PbS/PbSe nanoparticles with a “PbS core-PbSe shell” structure. A correlation was found between the forbidden band widths of the PbS nanoparticles and the PbS/PbSe nanostructures formed during the reaction. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 339–344, November–December, 2006.     

Preparation of colloidal CdSe and CdS/CdSe nanoparticles from sodium selenosulfate in aqueous polymers solutions

Cadmium selenide nanoparticles formation at the interaction between CdCl2 and Na2SeSO3 in aqueous solutions of sodium polyphosphate and gelatin has been studied. Structural and optical properties of CdSe nanoparticles have been characterized. It has been shown that the temperature and the ratio of reagents concentrations are the basic parameters, controlling the size of CdSe nanoparticles. Photocatalytic activity of CdS nanoparticles in Na2SeSO3 reduction has been found and investigated; structural and optical properties of binary CdS/CdSe nanoparticles have been characterized. This photoreaction, when carried out in the presence of CdCl2, results in the formation of composite CdS/CdSe nanoparticles. It has been shown that slow interaction of adsorbed selenosulfate with surface-trapped CdS conduction band electrons is the limiting stage of the photocatalytic reaction.     

Swellable polymer films containing Au nanoparticles for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Large (10 × 10 cm) sheets of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active polymer have been prepared by stabilising metal nanoparticle aggregates within dry hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) films. In these films the aggregates are protected by the polymer matrix during storage but in use they are released when aqueous analyte droplets cause the films to swell to their gel form. The fact that these “Poly-SERS” films can be prepared in bulk but then cut to size and stored in air before use means that they provide a cost effective and convenient method for routine SERS analysis. Here we have tested both Ag and Au Poly-SERS films for use in point-of-care monitoring of therapeutic drugs, using phenytoin as the test compound. Phenytoin in water could readily be detected using Ag Poly-SERS films but dissolving the compound in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to mimic body fluid samples caused loss of the drug signal due to competition for metal surface sites from Cl⁻ ions in the buffer solution. However, with Au Poly-SERS films there was no detectable interference from Cl⁻ and these materials allowed phenytoin to be detected at 1.8 mg L⁻¹, even in PBS. The target range of detection of phenytoin in therapeutic drug monitoring is 10–20 mg L⁻¹. With the Au Poly-SERS films, the absolute signal generated by a given concentration of phenytoin was lower for the films than for the parent colloid but the SERS signals were still high enough to be used for therapeutic monitoring, so the cost in sensitivity for moving from simple aqueous colloids to films is not so large that it outweighs the advantages which the films bring for practical applications, in particular their ease of use and long shelf life.     

Structure and optical properties of CVD molybdenum oxide films for electrochromic application

Vibrational and optical properties of MoO₃ thin films have been studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The films were deposited onto Si substrates at a temperature of 150 °C by chemical vapor deposition of Mo(CO)₆ at atmospheric pressure and different amounts of oxygen in the reactor. The Raman and IR spectral analyses show that the as-deposited films are in general amorphous. Post-deposition annealing at 300 and 400 °C leads to crystallization and the MoO₃ film structure is a mixture of orthorhombic and monoclinic MoO₃ modifications. Transformation of the monoclinic crystallographic modification to a thoroughly orthorhombic layered structure is observed for films heated at temperatures above 400 °C. Electronic Publication     

Thermal decomposition of jarosites of potassium,sodium and lead

Summary Jarosites are a group of minerals formed in evaporite deposits and form a component of efflorescence. As such the minerals can function as cation and heavy metal collectors. Thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry has been used to study three Australian jarosites which are predominantly K, Na and Pb jarosites. Mass loss steps of K-jarosite occur over the 130 to 330 and 500 to 622°C temperature range and are attributed to dehydroxylation and desulphation. In contrast the behaviour of the thermal decomposition of Na-jarosite shows three mass loss steps at 215 to 230, 316 to 352 and 555 to 595°C. The first mass loss step for Na-jarosite is attributed to deprotonation. For Pb-jarosite two mass loss steps associated with dehydroxylation are observed at 390 and 418°C and a third mass loss step at 531°C is attributed to the loss of SO₃. Thermal analysis is an excellent technique for the study of jarosites. The analysis depends heavily on the actual composition of the jarosite.     

Synthesis, surface modifications, and size-sorting of mixed nickel-zinc ferrite colloidal magnetic nanoparticles

We report on the spontaneous covalent growth of monomolecular adlayers on mixed nickel-zinc nanoferrite colloidal suspensions (ferrofluids). Synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to surface modification by means of acid chloride chemistry, leading to the formation of covalent bonds between the hydroxy groups at the nanoparticle surface and the acid chloride molecules. This procedure can be easily tailored to allow for the formation of adlayers containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions stacked at predetermined distances from the magnetic core, and also providing the nanoferrites with functional carboxy groups capable of further modifications with, for example, drug molecules. Here, fluorophore aminopyrene molecules were bound to such modified nanoferrites through amide bonds. We also used the same chemistry to modify the surface with covalently bound long-chain palmitoyl moieties, and for comparison we also modified the nanoferrite surface by simple adsorption of oleic acid. Both procedures made the surface highly hydrophobic. These hydrophobic colloids were subsequently spread on an aqueous surface to form Langmuir monolayers with different characteristics. Moreover, since uniformity of size is crucial in a number of applications, we propose an efficient way of sorting the magnetic nanoparticles by size in their colloidal suspension. The suspension is centrifuged at increasing rotational speed and the fractions are collected after each run. The mean size of nanoferrite in each fraction was measured by the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique.     

Structural and optical properties of ZnMgO nanostructures formed by Mg in-diffused ZnO nanowires

ZnMgO nanostructures with wurtzite phase were prepared by thermal diffusion of Mg into the ZnO nanowires. As ZnO light-emitting devices have been operated by using ZnMgO layers as energy barrier layers to confine the carriers, it is essential to realize the characterization of ZnMgO particularly. In this work, the Mg content in Zn_1−xMg_xO alloy determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) shows a good coincidence. The variation of lattice constant and the blueshift of near-band-edge emission indicate that Zn²⁺ ions are successfully substituted by Mg²⁺ ions in the ZnO lattice. In Raman-scattering studies, the change of E₂(high) phonon line shape in ZnO:Mg nanostructures reveals the microscopic substitutional disorder. In addition to the host phonons of ZnO, two additional bands around 383 and 510 cm⁻¹ are presumably attributed to the Mg-related vibrational modes.     

Synthesis and characterization of photoswitchable fluorescent SiO2 nanoparticles

Switchable fluorescent silica nanoparticles have been prepared by covalently incorporating a fluorophore and a photochromic compound inside the particle core. The fluorescence can be switched reversibly between an on‐ and off‐state via energy transfer. The particles were synthesized using different amounts of the photoswitchable compound (spiropyran) and the fluorophore (rhodamine B) in a size distribution between 98 and 140 nm and were characterized in terms of size, switching properties, and fluorescence efficiency by TEM, and UV\Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Structural and optical characterization of pyrolytic carbon derived from novolac resin

The structural and optical properties of technologically interesting pyrolytic carbons formed from cured novolac resin and cured novolac/biomass composites were studied by X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Pyrolysis of the cured materials took place at temperatures in the range 400–1000 °C. The most important weight loss, shrinkage and structural changes of pyrolyzed composites are observed at temperatures up to 600 °C due to the olive stone component. In the same temperature range, the changes in pyrolyzed novolac are smaller. The spectroscopic analysis shows that novolac pyrolyzed up to 900 ^°C has less defects and disorder than the composites. However, above 900 ^°C, pyrolyzed novolac becomes more disordered compared to the pyrolyzed composites. It is concluded that partial replacement of novolac by olive stone in the composite materials leads to the formation of a low cost, good quality product.     

Alkyl-terminated crystalline Ge nanoparticles prepared from NaGe: Synthesis, functionalization and optical properties

High purity NaGe was directly prepared by a low-temperature reaction of NaH and Ge. The product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. This material is a useful starting reagent for the preparation of Ge nanoparticles. Hydrogen-terminated germanium (Ge) nanoparticles were prepared by reaction of NaGe with NH₄Br. These Ge nanoparticles could be prepared as amorphous or crystalline nanoparticles in quantitative yields and with a narrow size distribution. The nanoparticles were functionalized via thermally initiated hydrogermylation with 1-eicosyne, CH₃(CH₂)₁₇C≡CH to produce alkyl-terminated Ge nanoparticles. The modified Ge nanoparticles were characterized by powder XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The alkyl-functionalized Ge nanoparticles can be expected to have promising applications in many technological and biological areas.     

Natural rubber nanocomposites with SiC nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and SiC nanoparticles were dispersed in natural rubber (NR) polymer solution and subsequently evaporated the solvent to prepare NR nanocomposites. Using this technique, nanoparticles can be better dispersed in the NR matrix. The influence of nano-fillers on the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites was quantified.Mechanical test results show an increase in the initial modulus with nanoscale reinforcements for up to 50% strain compared to pure NR. The modulus and strength of natural rubber with 1.5% SiC nanoparticles appear to be superior to those of SWNTs with the same filler content. In addition to mechanical testing, these nanocomposites were studied using the SEM and Raman spectroscopy techniques in order to understand the morphology of the resulting system and the load transfer mechanism, respectively. The Raman spectrum of the SWNT/NR system is characterized by a strong band at 1595 cm⁻¹ (G mode—C-C stretching) and other two bands at 1300 cm⁻¹ (D mode-disorder induced) and 2590 cm⁻¹ (D* band). A shift of the 2590 cm⁻¹ Raman band to the lower wavenumber was observed after subjecting SWNT/NR sample to cyclic stress testing. Ageing SWNT/NR specimen in distilled water for 30 days also provided a similar result. The Raman shift in aged samples indicates internal stress transfer from the natural rubber matrix to the SWNTs implying the existence of bonding at the interface.     

Thermal degradation of polyaniline films prepared in solutions of strong and weak acids and in water - FTIR and Raman spectroscopic studies

Polyaniline (PANI) films were prepared in situ on silicon windows during the oxidation of aniline with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous solutions of strong (0.1 M sulfuric) or weak (0.4 M acetic) acid or without any acid. In solutions of sulfuric acid, a granular PANI is produced, in solutions of weak acids or without any acid, PANI nanotubes are obtained. The thermal stability and structural variation of the corresponding films produced on silicon windows during treatment at 80 °C for three months were studied by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The morphology of the films is preserved during the degradation but the molecular structure changes. The results indicate that the spectral changes correspond to deprotonation, oxidation and chemical crosslinking reactions. The films of PANI salts loose their protonating acid. PANI bases are more stable than the salt forms during thermal ageing. The films obtained in water or in the presence of acetic acid are more stable than those prepared in solutions of sulfuric acid. The protonated structure is more prone to crosslinking reactions than deprotonated one. The molecular structure corresponding to the nanotubular morphology, which contains the crosslinked phenazine- and oxazine-like groups, is more stable than the molecular structure of the granular morphology.     

One-step catalyst-free generation of carbon nanospheres via laser-induced pyrolysis of anthracene

Carbon nanospheres with diameters between 100 and 400 nm have been successfully synthesized via low-power laser-assisted pyrolysis of anthracene in a nitrogen atmosphere. The developed facile route yields homogeneous nanoparticles and requires no supplementary carbon feedstock or catalyst. The sharp thermal gradient afforded by the laser results in two kinds of carbon products that differ in crystallinity and mean particle size. Our detailed findings point to the carbon nanospheres being comprised of small-unclosed aromatic layers that are connected together by simple organic linkers. C-H bonds in the anthracene molecules are partially broken by the laser beam energy, and as the newly created large radicals aggregate, carbon nanospheres are formed.     

Water-dispersible nanoparticles via interdigitation of sodium dodecylsulphate molecules in octadecylamine-capped gold nanoparticles at a liquid-liquid interface

This paper describes the formation of water-dispersible gold nano-particles capped with a bilayer of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and octadecylamine (ODA) molecules. Vigorous shaking of abiphasic mixture consisting of ODA-capped gold nanoparticles in chloroform and SDS in water results in the rapid phase transfer of ODA-capped gold nanoparticles from the organic to the aqueous phase, the latter acquiring a pink, foam-like appearance in the process. Drying of the coloured aqueous phase results in the formation of a highly stable, reddish powder of gold nanoparticles that may be readily redispersed in water. The water-dispersible gold nanoparticles have been investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These studies indicate the presence of interdigitated bilayers consisting of an ODA primary monolayer directly coordinated to the gold nanoparticle surface and a secondary monolayer of SDS, this secondary monolayer providing sufficient hydrophilicity to facilitate gold nanoparticle transfer into water and rendering them water-dispersible. Dedicated to Professor C N R Rao on his 70th birthday     

Structural and morphological properties of silver nanoparticles–phosphate glass composites

New types of composite materials belonging to the (100 − x) [50P₂O₅ · 30CaO · 20Na₂O]xAg₂O glasses system with 0 ? x ? 0.25 are obtained. Their local structure is analyzed with the help of Raman and infrared spectroscopy and it was found that the glasses structure is built up from predominantly ionic phosphate units. UV–VIS absorption measurements performed on the samples reveal the existence of silver nanoparticles within the soda–calcium-phosphate glass matrix. The electronic absorption spectra and TEM pictures analyses indicate the presence of silver nanoparticles of almost spherical shapes and various sizes inside the glass matrix, depending on the Ag₂O content. By using the experimental UV–VIS data and a theoretical approach important structural and morphological parameters, such as the radius of the silver nanospheres and the volume fraction of the spheres are determined for one of the investigated composites (x = 0.05 mol%).