Synthesis of Metallic Janus Nanoparticles by Aerosol Spraying

A modified method for synthesizing metallic Janus nanoparticles that consists in the evaporation of droplets of colloidal solutions of metal nanoparticles in ethyl alcohol deposited on a silicon substrate, has been developed. The structure of the synthesized silver Janus nanoparticles has been determined using scanning electron microscopy and atomic-force microscopy. It has been shown that the developed modified method allows the synthesis of crescent-shaped nanoparticles with an adjustable size.     

Study of magnetite nanoparticle suspensions by photometry and NMR relaxometry

A method has been described for preparation of suspensions of magnetite nanoparticles stabilized by porous silicon dioxide. The process of sedimentation of nanoparticles in suspensions of different compositions and concentrations has been analyzed by transmission coefficient measurements. Spectra of the transmission coefficient have been obtained for suspensions containing composite nanoparticles, the initial silicon dioxide, and macroscopic magnetite particles. The average effective radius of nanoparticles has been calculated from the time dependences of the transmission coefficient. It has been demonstrated that the synthesized nanoparticles possess magnetic-resonance contrast properties.     

Transforming single domain magnetic CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles from hydrophobic to hydrophilic by novel mechanochemical ligand exchange

Single-phase uniform-sized (~9 nm) cobalt ferrite (CFO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis using oleic acid as a surfactant. The as-synthesized oleic acid-coated CFO (OA-CFO) nanoparticles were well dispersible in nonpolar solvents but not dispersible in water. The OA-CFO nanoparticles have been successfully transformed to highly water-dispersible citric acid-coated CFO (CA-CFO) nanoparticles using a novel single-step ligand exchange process by mechanochemical milling, in which small chain citric acid molecules replace the original large chain oleic acid molecules available on CFO nanoparticles. The OA-CFO nanoparticle’s hexane solution and CA-CFO nanoparticle’s water solution remain stable even after 6 months and show no agglomeration and their dispersion stability was confirmed by zeta-potential measurements. The contact angle measurement shows that OA-CFO nanoparticles are hydrophobic whereas CA-CFO nanoparticles are superhydrophilic in nature. The potentiality of as-synthesized OA-CFO and mechanochemically transformed CA-CFO nanoparticles for the demulsification of highly stabilized water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions has been demonstrated.     

Magnetic properties of bimetallic Au/Co nanoparticles prepared by thermal laser treatment

The irradiation of metallic films by a nanosecond pulsed laser leads to a self-assembly of nanoparticle arrays. This method has been used to prepare bimetallic Au/Co nanoparticles on a SiO₂ substrate. The microstructure and morphology of the bimetallic nanoparticles have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It has been shown that the bimetallic nanoparticles have a hemispherical shape with a single-crystal structure and an average size of ~50 nm. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles have been examined using a vibrating-sample magnetometer in the transverse and longitudinal directions. It has been found that the direction of the magnetization of the bimetallic nanoparticles lies in the plane of the substrate, and the coercive forces in the transverse and longitudinal directions differ by 25%. The use of the vibrating-sample magnetometer method makes it possible to investigate the differences in the magnetic saturations and the coercive forces of an array of bimetallic nanoparticles on a large surface area. The performed investigations have demonstrated that the anisotropic nanomagnetic materials with the desired magnetic orientation can be easily and quickly prepared by means of thermal laser treatment.     

Laser-Assisted Formation of Elongated Au Nanoparticles and Subsequent Dynamics of Their Morphology under Pulsed Irradiation in Water

The processes of laser-assisted formation of elongated Au nanoparticles and their subsequent agglomeration and fragmentation have been experimentally investigated. Elongated gold nanoparticles were formed by laser ablation of a solid target in water. IR radiation of ytterbium-doped fiber laser with a pulse width of 200 ns and a pulse energy of 0.5 to 1 mJ was used to this end. The extinction spectra and transmission electron microscopy images indicate the formation of elongated gold nanoparticles. The interaction of laser radiation with aqueous colloids of elongated nanoparticles in dependence of the pulse energy and exposure time has been analyzed. Possible processes of laser-assisted formation of elongated Au nanoparticles and their subsequent transition from agglomeration to fragmentation of gold nanoparticles, induced by laser irradiation are discussed.     

Power dependence of size of laser ablated colloidal silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles have been produced by laser ablation of silver metal in nanopure water without any chemical additives. It has been observed that laser power has a control over the size of the nanoparticles. Increasing laser power shows a clear blue shift in the absorption peak of fabricated nanoparticles indicating that the average size of the particles decreases with increasing laser power. Ablation for longer period reduces the average size of nanoparticles which is attributed to the re-ablation of fabricated nanoparticles. A good correlation has been observed between the peak of the absorption spectrum measured by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the average particle size measured by scanning electron microscope imaging method. The value of the coefficient of correlation is determined to be 0.965.     

Raman spectroscopy of gold nanoparticles in polycrystalline LiF film

Results of the Raman spectroscopy analysis of a new composite material based on a thin polycrystalline LiF film containing gold nanoparticles are presented. The formation of spherical gold nanoparticles in the film has been confirmed by the X-ray structural analysis and observation of the optical plasmon resonance absorption spectrum with a maximum at 534 nm. The obtained composite layers have been subjected to annealing by ruby laser (λ = 694 nm) in the spectral region on a descending long-wavelength wing of the plasmon absorption band of gold nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy has been applied for the first time to the investigation of the modification of the shape of gold nanoparticles in LiF during laser annealing. The experimental Raman spectra are compared with calculated modes of in-phase bending vibrations generated in gold nanoparticles.     

Low-frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric spectroscopy investigations on polypyrrole nanoparticles

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical oxidation method in the presence of anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulphate). The prepared nanoparticles have a diameter of ~28 nm. The low-frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric properties of these nanoparticles have been studied in the temperature range of 77–350 K. Due to absence of the saturated loss peaks, modulus approach has been used for the further insight on the dielectric properties of prepared nanoparticles. The behaviour of the dielectric modulus suggests the Debye-type behaviour of the prepared nanoparticles, where the measured ac conductivity follows the classical hopping conduction mechanism.     

Gold nanoparticles produced by laser ablation in water and in graphene oxide suspension

The comparison between two different approaches based on the use of the laser ablation in medium to synthetise gold nanoparticles is presented and discussed. Deionised water as well as a graphene oxide (GO) suspension in deionised water have been employed as solution to produce gold nanoparticles by laser ablation. In the former case, the nanoparticles assembly has been stabilised by using surfactants, but in the latter case to avoid undesired effects the use of chemicals was not necessary and Au reduced graphene oxide (Au-rGO) nanocomposites have been obtained. The structure, size and composition of the gold nanoparticles and of the Au–rGO nanocomposites have been monitored by UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the transmission and scanning electron microscopies and the X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The presented methodology of Au rGO nanocomposites preparation could represent a green alternative on the production of metallic nanoparticles in biocompatible environment.     

A novel method of nanocrystal fabrication based on laser ablation in liquid environment

Metal nanoparticles can be prepared by a novel technique that consists of the laser ablation of a solid target immersed in a water solution of a metal salt. Silicon was chosen as the most adequate target to synthesize silver and gold nanoparticles from a water solution of either AgNO₃ or HAuCl₄. The influence of both the silver nitrate concentrations and the irradiation time of the Si target on the optical properties of the Au and Ag nanoparticles have been investigated. The crystalline nature of the metal nanoparticles has been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Average size and particle size distribution have been measured by means of TEM. The absorbance spectra show the characteristic band of the surface resonant plasmon of silver and gold nanoparticles.     

On the Fluorescence of Luminol in a Silver Nanoparticles Complex

The photophysical properties of luminol in a silver nanoparticles complex have been studied by steady-state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of the serum albumin on the luminol fluorescence in the silver nanoparticles has been also investigated. It was found that the fluorescence quantum yield value of luminol in a silver nanoparticles complex is ??=?0.00407. The decrease of the average fluorescence lifetime value of the luminol in the silver nanoparticles complex was found to be low, <τ>?=?1.712 ns. The luminol does not bind to the serum albumins in the presence of silver nanoparticles. The formation of a new species of luminol on silver nanoparticles is discussed. The results have influence regarding the use of luminol as an assay for bio-analytical applications.     

Synthesis of hybrid nanostructures composed of copper ions and poly(p-phenylenediamine) in aqueous solutions

A new kind of hybrid nanoparticles composed of copper ions and poly(p-phenylenediamine) has been synthesized in aqueous solution at room temperature. The nanoparticles have been characterized and studied by TEM, AFM, XPS, and UV spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles are prone to connect with each other and form large nanoclusters. The diameters of the nanoparticles are 46 ± 26 nm. It is believed that a porous network structure exists inside the nanoparticles. The UV absorption spectra of the nanoparticles are sensed with pH and can be reversibly changed according to the pH level. This phenomenon of the nanoparticles has some potential applications. Nanosheets and branched rods composed of copper ions and poly(p-phenylenediamine) have also been obtained by using different ratios of copper ions and p-phenylenediamine as the initial reactant.     

Formation and properties of metallic nanoparticles in lithium and sodium fluorides with radiation-induced color centers

The specific features of light- and temperature-induced formation of metallic nanoparticles in ??-irradiated LiF and NaF crystals have been investigated. Atomic force microscope images of nanoparticles of different sizes and in different locations have been presented. The relation between the crystal processing regimes and properties of the nanoparticles formed has been revealed. The optical properties of the processed crystals have been analyzed. The thermo- and light-stimulated processes underlying the formation of metallic nanoparticles in aggregation of the color centers and their decay due to the recovery of the crystal lattice have been studied.     

Fluorescent silver nanoparticles via exploding wire technique

Aqueous solution containing spherical silver nanoparticles of 20–80 nm size have been generated using a newly developed novel electro-exploding wire (EEW) technique where thin silver wires have been exploded in double distilled water. Structural properties of the resulted nanoparticles have been studied by means of X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution of silver nanoparticles showed the appearance of a broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak centered at a wavelength of 390 nm. The theoretically generated SPR peak seems to be in good agreement with the experimental one. Strong green fluorescence emission was observed from the water-suspended silver nanoparticles excited with light of wavelengths 340, 360 and 390 nm. The fluorescence of silver nanoparticles could be due to the excitation of the surface plasmon coherent electronic motion with the small size effect and the surface effect considerations     

金属纳米颗粒等离激元共振增强非线性介质谐波的发展现状

随着纳米加工和制备技术的不断发展,金属纳米粒子的等离激元光学特性已得到了广泛的研究与应用。本文基于金属纳米颗粒等离激元共振特性,分析了金属纳米颗粒等离激元共振对介质谐波的增强机制,综述了该增强机制在近几年所取得的最新研究成果及其在生物成像领域的应用。金属纳米颗粒等离激元共振在增强介质非线性特性领域的发展趋势是从简单的金属纳米颗粒向复杂形状纳米颗粒和金属纳米颗粒组装体的发展,这些新型金属纳米颗粒在非线性光学、生物医学上的疾病诊断和治疗有良好的实际应用前景。     

Growth mechanism and optical property of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by sonochemical method

ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized by ultrasonic irradiation of an aqueous-alcoholic/aqueous-alcoholic-ethylenediamine (EDA) solutions of zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide. ZnO nanoparticles possess hexagonal wurtzite structures and they exhibit special photoluminescence properties with a red-shift of 22 nm in UV emission band. It is found that the ultrasonic irradiation time and the solvents both influence the growth mechanism and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. The possible growth mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles formation by sonochemical method has been tried to discuss.     

Estimation of the Integral Role of Intershell Correlations in Heavy Atoms

The problem of controlling the quantum dynamics of localized plasmons has been considered in the model of a four-particle spaser composed of metallic nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots. Conditions for the observation of stable steady-state regimes of the formation of surface plasmons in this model have been determined in the mean-field approximation. It has been shown that the presence of strong dipole–dipole interactions between metallic nanoparticles of the spaser system leads to a considerable change in the quantum statistics of plasmons generated on the nanoparticles.     

A simple and versatile mini-arc plasma source for nanocrystal synthesis

Nanocrystals in the lower-nanometer-size range are attracting growing interest due to their unique properties. A simple and versatile atmospheric direct current mini-arc plasma source has been developed to produce nanoparticles as small as a few nanometers. The nanoparticles are formed by direct vaporization of solid precursors followed by a rapid quenching. Both semiconductor tin oxide and metallic silver nanoparticles have been produced at rates of 1–10 mg/h using the mini-arc source. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that most nanoparticles as produced are nonagglomerated and crystalline. Size distributions of nanoparticles measured with an online scanning electrical mobility spectrometer are broader than the self-preserving distribution, suggesting that the nanoparticle growth is coagulation-dominated, and that the particles experience a range of residence times. The electrical charges carried by as-produced aerosol nanoparticles facilitate the manipulation of nanoparticles. The new mini-arc plasma source hence shows promise to accelerate the exploration of nanostructured materials.     

Fabrication and characterization of a granular film consisting of size-selected silver nanoparticles: application to a SERS substrate

Uniform-sized silver nanoparticles with average diameter of 13.7 nm have been prepared in the gas-phase by combining a pulsed laser ablation method with a low pressure-differential mobility analyzer (LP-DMA). By depositing the silver nanoparticles onto a silicon substrate, a granular film consisting of size-selected silver nanoparticles has been fabricated and its morphology and electronic properties have been examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. This granular silver film serves as a highly active substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).     

Influence of Tb incorporation on the structural and the optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles

Structural and optical properties of the Tb doped ZnO nanoparticles are systematically studied as a function of the Tb mole-fraction. Our study suggests that the Tb incorporates mostly on the surface and affects the optical properties of the ZnO nanoparticles by influencing the attachment of certain adsorbed groups, which are found to be responsible for the appearance of a broad green luminescence (GL) band in the photoluminescence spectra recorded for these nanoparticles. It has been found that the accumulation of Tb on the surface of the nanoparticles not only enhances the band edge to green luminescence intensity ratio under the vacuum condition but also increases the band gap energy by introducing a hydrostatic compressive strain in individual nanoparticles, which provides a unique opportunity to study the pressure dependence of the optical properties of nanoparticles without applying any external pressure. The hydrostatic compressive strain is explained in terms of the increase of the surface strain energy as a result of the Tb accumulation on the surface of the nanoparticles. The average value of the surface energy density for the particles has been estimated as a function of Tb mole-fraction. The pressure coefficient of the band gap which is obtained from the variation of the band gap energy with the hydrostatic strain has been found to decrease significantly with the particle size for the ZnO nanoparticles.