Evaluation of antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles green-synthesized using pineapple leaf (Ananas comosus)

Pineapple leaf was used in this study for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on the search for sustainable synthetic means. Indeed, this offered an economical and sustainable synthetic route relative to expensive and toxic chemical methods. The leaf extract was used and the corresponding nanoparticles obtained were subjected to UV–vis analysis at different times. The UV–vis was used to monitor the silver nanoparticle formation through sampling at time intervals. The formation of silver nanoparticles was apparently displayed within 2 min with evidence of surface plasmon bands (SPB) between 440 and 460 nm. The crystals was equally characterized using FTIR, X-ray diffraction methods and TEM. The different results obtained suggested the appearance of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) as determined by the process parameters with a particle size of 12.4 nm. The sample was further screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli using Gentamicin as control. From the results, there is evidence of inhibition towards bacteria growth. It can now be inferred from the studies that biosynthesis of nanoparticles could be a gateway to our numerous health issues.     

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using polyethylene glycol (PEG)

ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) was synthesized using zinc acetate as a precursor at low temperature and characterized by different techniques. The influence of the types of solvent, synthesis parameters, and PEG encapsulation on the crystallization, the surface morphology, and the luminescent properties of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by the sol–gel process were investigated. The influence of different addition molar masses of the PEG during the synthesis on the ZnO emission peaks was systematically monitored. The crystallinity, the surface morphology, and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnO depended highly on the synthesis process and PEG encapsulation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of ZnO nanoparticles show that all the peaks corresponding to the various planes of wurtzite ZnO indicate the formation of a single phase. The absorption edges of these ZnO nanoparticles are shifted by additions of the PEG polymer. The photoluminescence (PL) characterization of the ZnO nanostructures exhibited a broad emission in the visible range with maximum peak at 450 and/or 560 nm.     

Electrical bistable devices using composites of zinc sulfide nanoparticles and poly-(N-vinylcarbazole)

N-dodecanethiol capped zinc sulfide(Zn S) nanocrystals were synthesized by the one-pot approach and blended with poly(N-vinylcarbazole)(PVK) to fabricate electrical bistable devices. The corresponding devices did exhibit electrical bistability and negative differential resistance(NDR) effects. A large ON/OFF current ratio of 104 at negative voltages was obtained by applying different amplitudes of sweeping voltage. The observed conductance switching and the negative differential resistance are attributed to the electric-field-induced charge transfer between the nanocrystals and the polymer,and the charge trapping/detrapping in the nanocrystals.     

Determination of norfloxacin using gold nanoparticles catalyzed cerium(IV)-sodium sulfite chemiluminescence

A rapid flow-injection chemiluminescence (CL) method is proposed for the determination of norfloxacin (NFLX). The method is based on the fact that the weak CL from the redox reaction of Ce(IV)-Na₂SO₃ can be greatly strengthened by gold nanoparticles (NPs). UV-visible spectra, fluorescence spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies are carried out before and after the CL reactions to investigate the CL reinforcing mechanism. The mechanism is supposed to originate from the reinforcer of gold NPs, which facilitates the radical generations and electron-transfer processes taking place on the surface of the gold NPs. Under the selected experimental conditions, a linear relationship was obtained between the CL intensity and the concentrations of NFLX in the range 7.9×10⁻⁷ to 1.9×10⁻⁵ M and the detection limit was 8.2×10⁻⁸ M. This method is successfully applied to the determination of NFLX in human urine.     

Clustering of magnetic nanoparticles using a double hydrophilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid)

The use of a double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC), poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PEO-b-PAA) to prepare magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) clusters was investigated. In this one-pot synthesis method, the DHBC controlled the particle growth and served as both stabilizer and clustering agent. Depending on the iron-to-polymer ratio, the synthesized particles can be in the form of colonies of small iron oxide particles or clusters of these particles with size larger than 100 nm. Compared to the previous reported result using random copolymers, the clusters prepared with DHBC were more compact and homogeneous. The yield of clusters increased when the amount of polymer added was limiting. Insufficient amounts of polymer resulted in the formation of bare patches on the magnetite surface, and the strong van der Waals attraction induced cluster formation.     

Sonochemical syntheses of a nanoparticles cadmium(II) supramolecule as a precursor for the synthesis of cadmium(II) oxide nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of a three-dimensional supramolecular Cd(II) compound, [Cd(L)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (1), (L(-)=1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylate), have been synthesized by a sonochemical process and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The thermal stability of compound 1 in both its bulk and nano-size has been studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA) and compared with each other. Concentration of initial reagents effects on size and morphology of nano-structured compound 1, have been studied. Calcination of the single crystals and nano-sized compound 1 at 650°C under air atmosphere yields CdO nanoparticles.     

Selective synthesis of clinoatacamite Cu2(OH)3Cl and tenorite CuO nanoparticles by pH control

To investigate the shell deposited kinetics, CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and nanorods (NRs) with a maximum length of 17 nm were fabricated via organic synthesis routes. CdSe with a hexagonal crystal structure (wurtzite) favors epitaxial growth on the {002} surfaces when well-controlled conditions were used. The morphologies and sizes of CdSe samples depended strongly on chemicals and temperature. In the case of 320 °C, CdSe NRs with adjusted length of 7–17 nm were obtained from trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and tetradecylphosphonic acid (TDPA). In contrast, short CdSe NRs (less than 10 nm) were created from octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) and trioctylamine (TOA). Spherical CdSe QDs were further fabricated using stearic acid (SA) and TOPO at 300 °C. CdSe cores were coated with Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S and CdTe shells. Anisotropic growth occurred during shell deposition because CdS shells grown preferentially on the {001} facet of the CdSe core. In the case of CdSe core prepared from TOPO and TDPA, CdSe/Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S core/shell samples prepared from long CdSe NRs (more than 10 nm) revealed a peanut morphology while the core/shell samples created from short ones (less than 10 nm) exhibited a spherical morphology. All of the CdSe/Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S core/shell samples revealed a similar length to that of the CdSe cores. This phenomenon was also observed for the core/shell samples fabricated using CdSe NRs prepared by ODPA and TOA. This is ascribed to the well-developed crystal structure of CdSe NRs fabricated using an organic synthesis at high temperature. In contrast, this anisotropic growth did not occur when spherical CdSe QDs prepared from SA and TOPO and the shell (Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S) coating carried out using SA and TOA. To indicate the shell depositing process, CdSe NRs fabricated using TDPA and TOPO were coated with a CdTe shell. CdTe monomers were deposited on the middle and tip parts of the CdSe NRs to form a tetrapod-like morphology at 220 °C. This is ascribed to the large difference of structure of CdSe (hexagonal) and CdTe (zinc blende).     

Thio sol-gel synthesis of titanium disulfide thin films and nanoparticles using titanium(IV) alkoxide precursors

Titanium tetraisopropoxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide in butylamine solvent at room temperature to form an amorphous titanium alkoxy-sulfide which can be converted to crystalline titanium disulfide by heat treatment in a flowing hydrogen sulfide gas stream. The reaction has been studied using infrared and Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis measurements. Based on these studies, it is shown that a partially thiolysed alkoxide precursor forms through the replacement of a limited number of alkoxy groups by hydrosulfide moieties. This alkoxy-hydrosulfide is believed to form following a thiolysis-condensation mechanism similar to the hydrolysis-condensation process that occurs during the corresponding oxide sol-gel reaction. The alkoxy-hydrosulfide species can then be completely thiolysed at 800 °C in a stream of hydrogen sulfide to yield pure, hexagonal titanium disulfide in either film or particulate form.     

Quantitative analysis of chromate (CrVI) by normal Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride-capped gold nanoparticles

Chromate (Cr^VI) has emerged as a widespread environmental contaminant found in groundwater and surface water, and there is a great need for rapid detection and monitoring of this contaminant. Normal Raman scattering (NRS) spectroscopy with a detection limit of Cr^VI at concentrations of 0.2 g/L was attached. And surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy technique was found to be capable of detecting Cr^VI at concentrations as low as 2.5 mg/L using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride modified gold nanoparticles (PDDA-AuNPs) as a substrate. The SERS substrate was successfully fabricated by combining the selfassembly technique with a heat-treatment-based strategy using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) as the reducing and stabilizing agents. With the 520 cm^?1 band of silicon as internal standard, band intensity ratios of Cr^VI to silicon, that is I ₉₀₂/I ₅₂₀, were found to have a quantitative relationship with a large concentration range of Cr^VI from 0.2 to 20.0 g/L for NRS (R ² = 0.994) and from 2.5 to 25.0 mg/L for SERS (R ² = 0.980), respectively. Besides, the SERS methodology was reproducible, and susceptible to the interference of pH value. The optimum pH for Cr^VI detection by SERS was 3.38. The application of NRS and SERS showed high practical potential for rapid screening and routine analysis of Cr^VI in environmental samples.     

Observations of the intestinal mucosa using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM); comparison with conventional scanning electron microscopy (CSEM)

In order to evaluate the potential use of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) in biology, structural changes of the jejunal villi of rats were studied after periods of fasting and refeeding, using a conventional scanning electron microscope (CSEM) and ESEM. While observation using the CSEM, involves chemical fixation, drying and coating, observation of fresh, unprepared materials can be directly realized with the ESEM. Environmental microscopy provides a relatively new technology for imaging hydrated materials without specimen preparation and conductive coating. Direct observation of biological samples in their native state is therefore possible with an ESEM.

After fasting, the jejunal mucosa is dramatically reduced in size, splits and holes appearing at the tip of the villi. These changes were observed whatever the type of technique used. Artifacts due to the sample preparation for CSEM observation (drying, coating) can therefore be excluded. However, CSEM and ESEM must be used jointly. While, CSEM must be preferred for surface analysis involving high magnifications, ESEM observation, on the other hand, can prove valuable for determining the living aspect of the samples.     

Process optimization studies of 10-Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)-loaded folate-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles by SAS-ionic crosslink combination using response surface methodology (RSM)

10-Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) is a well-established topoisomerase I inhibitor of a broad spectrum of cancers. However, poor aqueous solubility, low instability, and toxicity to normal tissues have limited its clinical development. A novel HCPT-containing drug carrier system was developed to overcome these disadvantages. The response surface methodology was used to optimize the process of preparing HCPT-chitosan nanoparticles (HCPT-CSNPs) by the SAS-ionic crosslink (supercritical antisolvent SAS) combination method; the resulting HCPT-CSNPs were then conjugated with folate for specific targeting. A central composite design, composed of four independent variables, namely, chitosan concentration, TPP concentration, HCPT nanoparticle concentration, and crosslink time, was applied in the modeling process. The mean particle size and drug entrapment efficiency (DEE) of HCPT-CSNPs were chosen as response variables. The interactive effects of the four independent variables on the response variables were also studied. Nanoparticle characteristics such as morphology, DEE, and mean particle size were investigated. The optimum conditions for preparing HCPT-CSNPs were determined as follows: folate-coupled chitosan concentration 2.46 mg/ml, TPP concentration 7.73 mg/ml, HCPT nanoparticle concentration 0.48 mg/ml, and crosslinking time 47.4 min. Optimum conditions for preparing desired HCPT-CSNPs with a mean particle size of 173.5 nm and entrapment efficiency of 77.3% were obtained. The resulting folate-conjugated HCPT-CSNPs (FA-HCPT-CSNPs) reveal that the amount of folate conjugation was 197.64 mg/g CS. FA-HCPT-CSNPs used in drug carrier systems could have potential value in HCPT-sensitive tumors.     

Removal of chromium(VI) and dye Alizarin Red S (ARS) using polymer-coated iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles by co-precipitation method

The present research was conducted with an aim to develop such adsorbent system: polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles which can remove heavy metal and dye from water of different concentration. Synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for contaminated water purification has been one of the outcomes of application of rapidly growing field of Nanotechnology in Environmental Science. In the present study, the efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles for removal of Cr(VI) and dye (alizarin) from water solutions of known concentrations were evaluated. The nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Polymer-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles carrying functional groups on their surface were synthesized by different methods for permanent magnet-assisted removal of heavy metal (chromium) and dye (Alizarin Red S) from water. The characterization showed that synthesized nanoparticles were in the size range of 10–50 nm. The adsorption capacities of the Fe₃O₄ using polyMETAC-coated particles for dye (Alizarin Red S) removal were 80–96 % and chromium 62–91 %. The chromium concentration was determined after magnetic separation using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and dye concentration was estimated with UV–visible spectrophotometer. Nanoparticles of polymer coated showed the highest removal capacity from water for metal and dye. The developed adsorbents had higher capacity for removal of heavy metal ions and dye.     

Evaluation of reduced combustion kinetic mechanisms using global sensitivity-based similarity analysis (GSSA)

Reduced combustion kinetic mechanisms, instead of detailed ones, are often used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for reduced and frequently even affordable computational cost. The criterion for the evaluation of a reduced mechanism usually focuses on its prediction error for the global properties such as the ignition delay time, while ignoring the detailed features of reaction kinetics such as reaction pathways. In our opinion, good reduced mechanisms should have similar predicting behaviors as the detailed ones, and these behaviors include model predictions for specific targets, prediction error bars, and uncertainty sources for the errors. In this work, a new approach using global sensitivity-based similarity analysis (GSSA) is proposed to compare reduced mechanisms with detailed ones. The similarity coefficient for the reduced mechanism is calculated by similarity method based on Euclidean distance between sensitivity indices of the reduced mechanism and those of the detailed mechanism. The larger the similarity coefficient, the higher the degree of similarity between the reduced and detailed mechanisms. To demonstrate this similarity method, directed relation graph with error propagation (DRGEP) is employed to simplify both the GRI 3.0 mechanism without the NOx chemistry and the JetSurF mechanism consisting of 1459 reactions, resulting in reduced mechanisms with different sizes which can accurately predict the ignition delay times for corresponding fuel mixtures. Similarity analysis is then employed to evaluate these reduced mechanisms. The result shows that the actual reaction kinetic features cannot be replicated by some of the reduced mechanisms. First, the rankings of the important reactions obtained by reduced mechanisms are not consistent with those obtained by the detailed mechanism. Second, by investigating the sensitive reactions, the actual impact of uncertainties in reaction rates on the ignition delay times cannot be presented by reduced mechanisms. The similarity analysis on reduced mechanisms can be used to select a reduced mechanism which shows much better performance to replicate the actual combustion reaction kinetics. GSSA can provide information on the uncertainty sources induced by the reactions parameters of reduced mechanisms for target predictions, which is important for further reduced model optimization and for the sensitivity analysis of CFD simulations.     

Generation of high-current relativistic electron beams with stable (for a microsecond) parameters using explosive emission cathodes

Cold explosive emission cathodes, in which a plasma serves as an emitting surface, are used to generate relativistic electron beams with a high current density in a magnetic field. The plasma parameters change within a microsecond, thereby significantly changing the geometry of the electron beam. This paper is a review of techniques for stabilizing the geometry of microsecond high-current relativistic electron beams. It is shown that only a transverse-blade explosive emission cathode in a magnetically insulated diode can generate such beams (500 keV, 3 kA) the current density profile and electron trajectory pitch factor of which remain constant for a microsecond.     

Generation and size classification of single-walled carbon nanotube aerosol using atmospheric pressure pulsed laser ablation (AP-PLA)

Gas suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with single tube diameter smaller than 2 nm and length of longer than 500 nm were generated by simple and continuous system using laser ablation technique under atmospheric conditions. Graphite target containing 0.5 wt%-nickel and 0.5 wt%-cobalt was ablated by Nd:YAG laser in an electrical furnace under atmospheric pressure of nitrogen flow that allowed one step and continuous synthesis of the SWCNTs. Size distribution of the gas suspended SWCNTs aerosol was measured using size-classification by a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) coupled with a condensation particle counter (CPC) used as a detector. Characteristics of SWCNT aerosol generated under the different temperature were also investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopes and Raman scattering. Mono-mobility SWCNT aerosol with mobility diameter of 100 and 200 nm was successfully prepared after the size separation using a DMA.     

Facile control of silica nanoparticles using a novel solvent varying method for the fabrication of artificial opal photonic crystals

In this work, the Stöber process was applied to produce uniform silica nanoparticles (SNPs) in the meso-scale size range. The novel aspect of this work was to control the produced silica particle size by only varying the volume of the solvent ethanol used, whilst fixing the other reaction conditions. Using this one-step Stöber-based solvent varying (SV) method, seven batches of SNPs with target diameters ranging from 70 to 400 nm were repeatedly reproduced, and the size distribution in terms of the polydispersity index (PDI) was well maintained (within 0.1). An exponential equation was used to fit the relationship between the particle diameter and ethanol volume. This equation allows the prediction of the amount of ethanol required in order to produce particles of any target diameter within this size range. In addition, it was found that the reaction was completed in approximately 2 h for all batches regardless of the volume of ethanol. Structurally coloured artificial opal photonic crystals (PCs) were fabricated from the prepared SNPs by self-assembly under gravity sedimentation.

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Examination of the transition of cultured neuronal cells from submerged to exposed using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)

Relatively few studies of fully hydrated live or fixed cultured animal cells viewed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) have been published. In some cases there may have been some drying out of the cells. In this study the interface between water and cells is imaged as water is carefully evaporated to expose cells. Technical difficulties associated with the process, including inadvertent rewetting of cells are described. Suggestions are made for optimising operating parameters for viewing fully hydrated cultured cells by ESEM. The prospects for viewing live cultured cells are discussed.     

How can nanobiotechnology oversight advance science and industry: examples from environmental,health, and safety studies of nanoparticles (nano-EHS)

Nanotechnology has great potential to transform science and industry in the fields of energy, material, environment, and medicine. At the same time, more concerns are being raised about the occupational health and safety of nanomaterials in the workplace and the implications of nanotechnology on the environment and living systems. Studies on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues of nanomaterials have a strong influence on public acceptance of nanotechnology and, eventually, affect its sustainability. Oversight and regulation by government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play significant roles in ensuring responsible and environmentally friendly development of nanotechnology. The EHS studies of nanomaterials can provide data and information to help the development of regulations and guidelines. We present research results on three aspects of EHS studies: physico-chemical characterization and measurement of nanomaterials; emission, exposure, and toxicity of nanomaterials; and control and abatement of nanomaterial releases using filtration technology. Measurement of nanoparticle agglomerates using a newly developed instrument, the Universal NanoParticle Analyzer (UNPA), is discussed. Exposure measurement results for silicon nanoparticles in a pilot scale production plant are presented, as well as exposure measurement and toxicity study of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Filtration studies of nanoparticle agglomerates are also presented as an example of emission control methods.     

Effect of the shell on the transport properties of poly(glycerol) and Poly(ethylene imine) nanoparticles

Dendritic core–shell architectures containing poly (glycerol) and poly (ethylene imine) cores and poly(lactide) shell (PG-PLA and PEI-PLA respectively) were synthesized. Analogous of these core–shell architectures containing the same cores but poly (L-lactide) shell (PG-PLLA and PEI-PLLA, respectively) were also synthesized. In this work PG and PEI were used as macroinitiator for ring opening polymerization of the lactid and L-lactide monomers. Different molar ratios of monomer to end functional groups of PG ([LA]/[OH]) and PEI ([LA]/[NHn] (n = 1 or 2)) were used to prepare the core–shell architectures with different shell thickness. These core–shell architectures were able to encapsulate and transport the small guest molecules. Their transport capacity (TC) depended on the type and thickness of the shells. TC of core–shell architectures containing PLLA shell was higher than that for their analogs containing PLA shell. The diameter of core–shell architectures was between 20–80 nm. The rate of release of guest molecules from chloroform solution of nanocarriers to water phase was investigated and it depended on the type of the core, shell and solvent.     

Generation and characterization of the highest laser intensities (10(22) W/cm2)

We generated a record peak intensity of 0.7 x 10(22) W/cm2 by focusing a 45-TW laser beam with an f/0.6 off-axis paraboloid. The aberrations of the paraboloid and the low-energy reference laser beam were measured and corrected, and a focal spot size of 0.8 microm was achieved. It is shown that the peak intensity can be increased to 1.0 x 10(22) W/cm2 by correction of the wave front of a 45-TW beam relative to the reference beam. The phase and amplitude measurement provides for an efficient full characterization of the focal field.