A cellular uptake and cytotoxicity properties study of gallic acid-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells

In this study, the effects of intracellular delivery of various concentrations of gallic acid (GA) as a semistable antioxidant, gallic acid-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs-GA), and cellular uptake of nanoparticles into Caco-2 cells were investigated. MSNs were synthesized and loaded with GA, then characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The cytotoxicity of MSNs and MSNs-GA at low and high concentrations were studied by means of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and flow cytometry. MSNs did not show significant toxicity in various concentrations (0–500 μg/ml) on Caco-2 cells. For MSNs-GA, cell viability was reduced as a function of incubation time and different concentrations of nanoparticles. The in vitro GA release from MSNs-GA exhibited the same antitumor properties as free GA on Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometry results confirmed those obtained using MTT assay. TEM and fluorescent microscopy confirmed the internalization of MSNs by Caco-2 cells through nonspecific cellular uptake. MSNs can easily internalize into Caco-2 cells without deleterious effects on cell viability. The cell viability of Caco-2 cells was affected during MSNs-GA uptake. MSNs could be designed as suitable nanocarriers for antioxidants delivery.     

Stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles for multiple anti-HIV microbicides

This study is aimed to develop and evaluate an advanced intravaginal formulation for the delivery of multiple anti-HIV microbicides. Novel stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles (NPs) which protected the encapsulated drugs from being degraded in acidic pH conditions were made of Eudragit S-100^® (ES100^®), a pH-sensitive polymer. ES100^® NPs were prepared using the quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique and loaded with two microbicides namely Tenofovir (TNF) and Etravirine (ETV). The effects of various fabrication parameters on the formulation properties were evaluated for the optimization of ES100^® NPs. The morphology of the ES100^® NPs was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity of NPs containing microbicides individually or in a combination was assessed using cell viability and trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. The cellular uptake rates of the model microbicides by human vaginal epithelial cells, VK2 E6/E7 cells, were evaluated using confocal microscopy and florescence-assisted cell sorting technique. ES100^® NPs had a spherical shape, smooth surface, and uniform texture with a little aggregation. The average particle size for NPs loaded with TNF ranged from 125 to 230 nm, whereas those for ETV-loaded NPs ranged from 160 to 280 nm. ES100^® NPs had zeta potential in the range of ?5 to ?10 mV. In-vitro release studies displayed the potential benefits of ES100^® NPs in retaining and protecting the loaded microbicides at vaginal pH (acidic), but immediately releasing them as the pH changes to neutral or 7.4 (physiological pH). Cell viability studies demonstrated that ES100^® NPs did not exert any cytotoxicity individually or in a combination of both microbicides. TEER measurements confirmed that ES100^® NPs loaded with TNF and ETV did not cause any changes in the barrier integrity of VK2 E6/E7 cell monolayer. The cellular uptake study revealed that ES100^® NPs were taken by vaginal epithelial cells through the endocytosis process and that the uptake rate of the model microbicides loaded in nanoparticles was greater than that in the solution. The ES100^® NPs whose degradation rates are dependent on environmental pH would serve as an efficient platform for targeted delivery of multiple microbicides to protect women from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV-1 infection.     

Dual drug-loaded paclitaxel–thymoquinone nanoparticles for effective breast cancer therapy

The present study highlights the beneficial synergistic blend of anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) and thymoquinone (TQ) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We aimed to augment the therapeutic index of PTX using a polymeric nanoparticle system loaded with PTX and TQ. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating the two drugs, individually or in combination, were prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation method. The formulated nanoparticles were homogenous with an overall negative charge and their size ranging between 200 and 300 nm. Entrapment efficiency of PTX and TQ in the dual drug-loaded nanoparticles was found to be 82.4 ± 2.18 and 65.8 ± 0.45 %, respectively. The release kinetics of PTX and TQ from the nanoparticles exhibited a biphasic pattern characterised by an initial burst, followed by a gradual and continuous release. The anticancer activity of nanoparticles encapsulating both the drugs was higher as compared to the free drugs in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The combination index for the dual drug-loaded NPs was found to be 0.688 which is indicative of synergistic interaction. Thus, here, we propose the synthesis and use of dual drug-loaded TQ and PTX NPs which exhibits enhanced anticancer activity and can additionally help to alleviate the toxic effects of PTX by lowering its effective dose.     

Mesoporous Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeSiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C nanocomposites with enhanced performance synthesized from fumed nano silica

Mesoporous Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanocomposites (LFS-FNS and LFS-NS) were prepared from fumed nano silica (FNS) and nano silica (NS) through facile solid-state reactions, respectively. XRD analysis indicates that the crystalline structures of LFS-FNS and LFS-NS are indexed to monoclinic Li₂FeSiO₄ of P2₁. SEM results prove that the particle size of LFS-FNS and FNS (25~40 nm) is smaller than that of LFS-NS and NS, revealing the particle size of Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanocomposites can be tuned by choosing different silica. TEM further indicates Li₂FeSiO₄ nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in the amorphous carbon networking of LFS-FNS. Pore structure analysis indicates the external surface areas of LFS-FNS as well as LFS-NS are 51.4 and 36.1 m² g^?1, indicating the pore properties of mesoporous Li₂FeSiO₄/C nanocomposites can be controlled by using different silica as silicon resource. The reduced particle size and high external surface area shorten the lithium-ion diffusion path and make LFS-FNS possess better electrochemical performance over LFS-NS. The discharge capacity of LFS-FNS is as high as 172 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 C.     

Facile Preparation of Core-Shell Nanocomposite Microgels

Microgels with alginate (Alg) gel cores and shells of SiO₂ nanoparticles (so-called colloidosomes) were prepared by self-assembly of SiO₂ nanoparticles at ALG aqueous solution–hexane interfaces and subsequent in situ gelation caused by Ca²⁺ ions that were released from calcium-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid chelate by decreasing the pH value through the slow hydrolysis of D-Gluconic-δ-lactone. The packing density of SiO₂ nanoparticles in the shell was about 0.906, indicating that the SiO₂ nanoparticles were present monolayer on the surfaces of the colloidosomes. The half release times of insulin microcrystals were 4 h for Alg gel microspheres and 10 h for Alg/SiO₂ colloidosomes at pH 7.4, compared to 1.5 h for bare insulin. The half release times of insulin microcrystals were 12 min for Alg gel microspheres and 30 min for Alg/SiO₂ colloidosomes at pH 1.2, compared to 30 s for bare insulin. The release rates of insulin from the colloidosomes with core–shell structure were slower than that from bare insulin crystals due to the dual barriers of the hydrogel cores and the close-packed inorganic shells. The release curves were nicely fitted by the Weibull equation and the release followed Fickian diffusion.     

Core–shell-structured nanothermites synthesized by atomic layer deposition

Chitosan was conjugated with folic acid (FA) and the resulting chitosan derivatives with a FA-substitution degree of around 6 % was used to synthesize FA-conjugated chitosan–polylactide (FA–CH–PLA) copolymers to build a drug carrier with active targeting characteristics for the anticancer drug of paclitaxel (PTX). Selected FA–CH–PLAs with various polylactide percentages of about 40 wt% or lower were employed to fabricate nanoparticles using sodium tripolyphosphate as a crosslinker, and different types of nanoparticles were endued with similar average particle-sizes located in a range between 100 and 200 nm. Certain types of PTX-loaded FA–CH–PLA nanoparticles having encapsulation efficiency of around 90 % and initial load of about 12 % were able to release PTX in a controlled manner with significant regulation by polylactide content in FA–CH–PLAs. Targeting characteristic of achieved nanoparticles was confirmed using FA-receptor-expressed MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The uptake of PTX revealed that optimized FA–CH–PLA nanoparticles with an equivalent PTX-dose of around 1 μg/mL could have more than sixfold increasing abilities to facilitate intracellular paclitaxel accumulation in MCF-7 cells after 24 h treatment as compared to free PTX. At a relatively safe equivalent PTX-dose for normal MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells, the obtained results from Hoechst 33342 staining indicated that optimized PTX-loaded FA–CH–PLA nanoparticles had more than threefold increasing abilities to induce MCF-7 cell apoptosis in comparison to free PTX.     

Analysis of fiber optic SPR sensor utilizing platinum based nanocomposites

SPR based fiber optic sensor using nanocomposite is presented. Nanocomposites comprising of Pt nanoparticles with various volume fractions embedded in dielectric matrices of TiO₂ and SnO₂ are considered. Sensitivity enhances with increase in thickness of nanocomposite and volume fraction of nanoparticles for both nanocomposites. Optimized thicknesses are obtained to be 40 and 50 nm for Pt–TiO₂ and Pt–SnO₂ nanocomposites respectively while optimized volume fraction is found to be 0.85 for both nanocomposites. 40 nm thick Pt–TiO₂ nanocomposite based sensor with 0.85 volume fraction possesses utmost sensitivity.     

Fabrication and electrochemical investigation of MWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> (M = Co,Ni) nanoparticles as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this work, the MWO₄ (M = Co, Ni) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method and used as novel anode materials for LIBs. The micromorphology of obtained CoWO₄ and NiWO₄ was uniform nanoparticles with the size of ~60 and ~40 nm, respectively, by structural characterization including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). When tested as lithium-ion battery anode, CoWO₄ nanoparticles exhibited a stabilized reversible capacity of 980 mA h g^?1 at 200 mA g^?1 after 120 cycles and 632 mA h g^?1 at 1000 mA g^?1 even after 400 cycles. And, the discharge capacity was as high as 550 mA h g^?1 at the 400th cycle for NiWO₄ nanoparticles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique nanoparticles structure of the materials, which can not only shorten the diffusion length for electrons and lithium ions but also provide a large specific surface area for lithium storage.     

Influence of TiO2 nanotube morphology and TiCl4 treatment on the charge transfer in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTAs), and surface-modified NTAs with a TiCl₄ treatment. The photovoltaic efficiencies of the DSSCs using TiO₂ NP, NTA, and TiCl₄-treated NTA electrodes are 4.25, 4.74, and 7.47 %, respectively. The highest performance was observed with a TiCl₄-treated TiO₂ NTA photoanode, although in the case of the latter two electrodes, the amounts of N719 dye adsorbed were similar and 68 % of that of the NP electrode. Electrochemical impedance measurements show that the overall resistance, including the charge–transfer resistance, was smaller with NTA morphologies than with NP morphologies. We suggest that a different electron transfer mechanism along the one-dimensional nanostructure of the TiO₂ NTAs contributes to the smaller charge–transfer resistance, resulting in a higher short circuit current (J _sc), even at lower dye adsorption. Furthermore, the TiCl₄-treated NTAs showed even smaller charge–transfer resistance, resulting in the highest J _sc value, because the downward shift in the conduction band edge improves the electron injection efficiency from the excited dye into the TiCl₄-treated TiO₂ electrodes.     

Remarkable catalytic activity of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposites prepared by hydrothermal method for the degradation of methyl orange

Visible light Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites are successfully prepared with different dosages of Bi₂O₃ by hydrothermal process. All the as-prepared samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET), N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). XRD and Raman spectra reveal the anatase phase of both TiO₂ and Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrate that the bismuth ions did not enter into the lattice of TiO₂, and Bi₂O₃ is extremely dispersive on the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The incorporation of Bi₂O₃ in TiO₂ leads to the spectral response of TiO₂ in the visible light region and efficient separation of charge carriers. The enhanced visible light activity is tested by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under light illumination, and the performance of Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ nanocomposites are superior than that of pure TiO₂ which is ascribed to the efficient charge separation and transfer across the Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ junction. Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ nanocomposite (20 mg) loaded with 0.25 of Bi₂O₃ dispersed in 50 ml of 5 ppm methyl orange solution exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity of 98.86% within 240 min of irradiation, which is attributed to the low band gap, high surface area, and the strong interaction between Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂.     

Leucine-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization and potential biomedical applications for drug delivery

This work was primarily focused on the synthesis, characterization and biomedical applications of cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles, which were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using an amino acid of Leucine (Leu) as the surface coating agents. The morphology, structure and properties of the as-synthesized uncoated and Leu-coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were characterized in detail by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, FTIR, XPS, TGA and SQUID. More importantly, it was found that the Leu-coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles can be used as the efficient drug delivery with a drug loading capacity of 0.32 mg/mg for doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), and the loaded DOX demonstrated a sustained and progressive release manner. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies towards the HeLa cells were carried out, and the results indicated that the Leu-coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles exhibited a relatively high cell viability compared with that of bare CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and the DOX loaded Leu-coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles presented an obvious cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells.     

Occupational safety and health criteria for responsible development of nanotechnology

In this study we investigated the release of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silver (Ag) and silica (SiO₂) engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) from three different paints by using standardized water immersion test for coatings. Fibre-cement panels were coated with paints containing ENPs and then exposed to UV light and abraded to simulate weathering. After the static water immersion test, we observed a very low release of Ti (4–8 μg/l), while the Ag measured in leachates was under detection limit (0.1 μg/l). A small release of Si was measured in leachates, with 73 mg/l of Si released from paints containing SiO₂ ENPs after 120 h of water immersion. The cumulative loss of Si was about 1.8 % with respect to initial amount of Si in paint. Microscopic results highlighted that SiO₂ ENPs are mainly released in form of agglomerates with other particles, and only very few single SiO₂ ENPs were found in leachates. The results confirmed that Si migration is related to immersion cycles (wetting and drying cycles) of tested paints.     

Electrochemical performance of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide as an electrode material for supercapacitor

Cerium oxide nanoparticles and cerium oxide nanoparticle-decorated graphene oxide (GO) are synthesized via a facile chemical coprecipitation method in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Nanostructure studies and electrochemical performances of the as-prepared samples were systematically investigated. The crystalline structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectrum, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical properties of the CeO₂ electrode, the GO electrode, and the nanocomposites electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The CeO₂ nanoparticle-decorated GO (at the mole ratio of CeO₂/GO = 1:4) electrode exhibited excellent supercapacitive behavior with a high specific capacitance of 382.94 F/g at the current density of 3.0 A/g. These superior electrochemical features demonstrate that the CeO₂ nanoparticle-decorated GO is a promising material for next-generation supercapacitor systems.     

Novel nanocomposite membranes based on polybenzimidazole and Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript> nanoparticles for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

In this work, Fe₂TiO₅ nanoparticles were used for improving the proton conductivity, and water and acid uptake of polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based proton exchange membranes. The nanocomposite membranes have been prepared using different amounts of Fe₂TiO₅ nanoparticles and dispersed into a PBI membrane with the solution-casting method. The prepared membranes were then physico-chemically and electrochemically characterized for use as electrolytes in high-temperature PEMFCs. The PBI/Fe₂TiO₅ membranes (PFT) showed a higher acid uptake and proton conductivity compared with the pure PBI membranes. The highest acid uptake (156 %) and proton conductivity (78 mS/cm at 180 °C) were observed for the PBI nanocomposite membranes containing 4 wt% of Fe₂TiO₅ nanoparticles (PFT₄). The PFT₄ composite membrane showed 380 mW/cm² power density and 760 mA/cm² current density in 0.5 V at 180 °C at dry condition. The above results indicated that the PFT₄ nanocomposite membranes could be utilized as proton exchange membranes for high-temperature fuel cells.     

One-pot green fabrication and antibacterial activity of thermally stable corn-like CNC/Ag nanocomposites

Corn-like cellulose nanocrystals/silver (CNC/Ag) nanocomposites were prepared by formic acid/hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and redox reaction with silver ammonia aqueous solution (Ag(NH₃)₂(OH)) in one-pot green synthesis, in which the preparation and modification of CNCs were performed simultaneously and the resultant modified CNCs could be as reducing, stabilizing and supporting agents for silver nanoparticles. The influences of the Ag⁺ ion concentrations on the morphology, microstructure, and properties of the CNC/Ag nanocomposites were investigated. It is found that corn-like CNC/Ag nanocomposites containing Ag nanoparticles with diameter of about 20–40 nm were obtained. Compared to the MCCs, high crystallinity of 88.5 % and the maximum degradation temperature (T _max) of 364.5 °C can be achieved. Moreover, the CNC/Ag nanocomposites showed strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, such nanocomposites can act as bifunctional nanofillers to improve thermal stability, mechanical property, and antibacterial activity of commercial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and poly(lactic acid).     

The transition from spark to arc discharge and its implications with respect to nanoparticle production

Indium (III) phthalocyanine (InPc) was encapsulated into nanoparticles of PEGylated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG) to improve the photobiological activity of the photosensitizer. The efficacy of nanoparticles loaded with InPc and their cellular uptake was investigated with MCF-7 breast tumor cells, and compared with the free InPc. The influence of photosensitizer (PS) concentration (1.8–7.5 μmol/L), incubation time (1–2 h), and laser power (10–100 mW) were studied on the photodynamic effect caused by the encapsulated and the free InPc. Nanoparticles with a size distribution ranging from 61 to 243 nm and with InPc entrapment efficiency of 72 ± 6 % were used in the experiments. Only the photodynamic effect of encapsulated InPc was dependent on PS concentration and laser power. The InPc-loaded nanoparticles were more efficient in reducing MCF-7 cell viability than the free PS. For a light dose of 7.5 J/cm² and laser power of 100 mW, the effectiveness of encapsulated InPc to reduce the viability was 34 ± 3 % while for free InPc was 60 ± 7 %. Confocal microscopy showed that InPc-loaded nanoparticles, as well as free InPc, were found throughout the cytosol. However, the nanoparticle aggregates and the aggregates of free PS were found in the cell periphery and outside of the cell. The nanoparticles aggregates were generated due to the particles concentration used in the experiment because of the small loading of the InPc while the low solubility of InPc caused the formation of aggregates of free PS in the culture medium. The participation of singlet oxygen in the photocytotoxic effect of InPc-loaded nanoparticles was corroborated by electron paramagnetic resonance experiments, and the encapsulation of photosensitizers reduced the photobleaching of InPc.     

Solid state synthesis of nonstoichiometric Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript>/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites as visible-light photocatalyst

Nonstoichiometric Bi₂WO₆ photocatalyst with the composition of Bi_2?+?x WO_6?+?1.5x (?0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) wa synthesized by a facile solid state reaction method. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-vis absorption spectrum. The Bi_2.5WO_6.75 photocatalyst showed excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance; nearly 100 % of RhB (10 ppm, pH?=?3?~?4) was decomposed within 25 min, which demonstrated that nonstoichiometric semiconductors could be an efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst.     

Nano-in-Micro Sildenafil Dry Powder Formulations for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disorders: The Synergic Effect of POxylated Polyurea Dendrimers,PLGA, and Cholesterol

POXylated polyurea dendrimer nanoparticles (PURE_G4OOx₄₈) are loaded with sildenafil (SDF) by a supercritical carbon dioxide–assisted (scCO₂) impregnation. Further supercritical CO₂-assisted spray drying (SASD) leads to hybrid nano-in-micro dry powder formulations that are investigated aiming at efficient pulmonary delivery of SDF in pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment. This is the first report of the production of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-cholesterol (PLGA-Chol) microparticles processed by SASD. The optimized formulation of nano-in-microparticles is composed of PLGA, Chol, and PURE_G4OOx₄₈, loaded with SDF solutions in a 77:23 ratio (PLGA-Chol:dendrimer, w/w). The dry powders are fully characterized and found to be highly biodegradable and biocompatible, and the SDF release profile evaluates under different pH values. The median mass average diameter (MMAD) of the nano-in-micro systems varies between 2.57 and 5 µm and the fine particle fraction (FPF) between 36% and 29% for PURE_G4OMeOx₄₈[PLGA-Chol] and PURE_G4OEtOx₄₈[PLGA-Chol], respectively. The data validate the potential use of these new formulations in inhalation therapy. In vitro studies are also carried out in order to evaluate the effect of the free drug in cell viability and formulations cytotoxicity.     

Giant permittivity of three phase polymer nanocomposites obtained by modifying hybrid nanofillers with polyvinylpyrrolidone

In this work, the combination of graphene decorated with graphene quantum dots (G-D-GQDs) and barium titanate (BaTiO₃) nanoparticles filled poly (vinyledene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites are prepared using solvent casting method. The modification of G-D-GQDs and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) show finer dispersion in PVDF matrix as compared to unmodified G-D-GQDs and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles in PVDF matrix. XRD of PVDF nanocomposites shows the formation of α and β form of PVDF crystals. The incorporation of the combination of PVP modified BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and G-D-GQDs in PVDF matrix show a decrease in crystallization temperature (T_c), percent crystallinity (X_c) and increase in thermal stability as compared to unmodified PVDF/BaTiO₃/G-D-GQDs nanocomposites, due to interaction of PVP modified nanoparticles with PVDF. Further, the incorporation of the combination of 20 wt.% BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and 3 wt.% G-D-GQDs in PVDF matrix show a giant dielectric constant. The giant dielectric constant is achieved due to accumulation of more charges across conductor-insulator interface, more numbers of microcapacitor formed and enhanced interfacial compatibility between BaTiO₃/G-D-GQDs with PVDF through PVP. The loss tangent (tan δ) of PVP modified G-D-GQDs and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles and its PVDF nanocomposites is low due to lower leakage current, which make the material suitable for various applications.     

The Effect of Zinc Oxide and Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles on the Thermal Conductivity of Polypropylene

The thermal conductivity (TC) of compression-moulded polypropylene (PP) and PP filled with 5–15% zinc oxide (ZnO) or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles, prepared by extrusion, was studied using a thermal conductivity analyzer (TCA). The effect of nanoparticle content and crystallinity on the thermal conductivity was investigated using conventional methods, including SEM, XRD, and DSC. The incorporation of nanoparticles improved the crystallinity and thermal conductivity simultaneously. The experimental TC values of the PP nanocomposites with different level of nanoparticles concentration showed a linear increase with an increase in crystallinity. The TC improvement in PP/ZnO nanocomposite was greater than that of PP/calcium carbonate nanocomposites. This fact can be attributed to the intrinsic, better thermal conductivity of the ZnO nanoparticles. Several models were used for prediction of the TC in the nanocomposites. In the PP/ZnO nanocomposites the TC values correlated well with the values predicted by the Series, Maxwell, Lewis and Nielson, Bruggeman, and De Loor models up to 10 wt%.