Size-dependent studies in ferromagnetic nanoparticles dispersed ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures

In the present study, ferromagnetic nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) of size (~20 nm, 40 nm) into ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mixture has been dispersed and investigated. Effect of size of NiNPs on the electro-optic, dielectric and optical properties of FLC mixture have been studied and discussed. A minor improvement in spontaneous polarisation, rotational viscosity and faster response time in NiNPs-FLC samples than pure FLC is noticed. Goldstone mode of relaxation frequency ~100 Hz is detected in all samples and follow a Debye type relaxation behaviour. In addition, it is observed that size of NiNPs does not have any remarkable effect on relaxation frequency and dielectric strength. A single absorption peak at 363, 362 Hz is also noticed in pure FLC and NiNPs-FLC samples.     

Ultraviolet nanosecond laser ablation behavior of silver nanoparticle and melamine–formaldehyde resin-coated short sisal fiber-modified PLA composites

Nd:YAG laser (355 nm) induced surface modifications in polylactic acid (PLA), and its composites with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, size range between 120 and 150 nm) with and without additional melamine–formaldehyde-coated short sisal fibers were studied as a function of laser pulse numbers. The AgNP content was varied (100, 300 and 500 ppm), whereas the sisal content kept as constant (9 mass%). The PLA-based systems with a fully amorphous matrix were irradiated with 1–256 laser pulses at a constant fluence of 0.32 µJ µm^?2. Changes in the irradiated surfaces were assessed and quantified by light and scanning electron microscopic pictures. Protrusion with bubbling, bubbled protrusion with cratering and crater formation with more or less bubbled ridges were found as characteristic ablation features. Bubbling was traced to entrapped gaseous products of PLA degradation, while the onset of ridges was ascribed to the melt flow of the PLA matrix caused by laser shock waves. The laser irradiation caused damage and ablation highly depended on the actual composition, which influenced the UV absorption at 355 nm, which was measured as well.     

Detection and characterization of silver nanoparticles in chicken meat by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation with detection by conventional or single particle ICP-MS

A method of analysis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in chicken meat was developed. The homogenized chicken meat sample, which was spiked with AgNPs, was subjected to enzymolysis by Proteinase K for 40 min at 37 °C. Transmission electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in single particle mode were used to characterize the number-based size distribution of AgNPs in the meat digestate. Because similar size distributions were found in the meat digestate and in the aqueous suspension of AgNPs used for spiking the meat, it was shown that no detectable dissolution of the AgNPs took place during the sample preparation stage. The digestate was injected into the asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF⁴) -ICP-MS system, which enabled fractionation of nanoparticles from the remaining meat matrix, and resulted in one large peak in the fractograms as well as two smaller peaks eluting close to the void volume. The recovery of silver contained in the large AgNP peak was around 80 %. Size determination of AgNPs in the meat matrix, based on external size calibration of the AF⁴ channel, was hampered by non-ideal (early elution) behavior of the AgNPs. Single particle ICP-MS was applied for determination of the number-based particle size distribution of AgNPs in collected fractions. The presented work describes for the first time the coupling of AF⁴ and ICP-MS for AgNP separation in a food matrix.     

Nanoscale coupling of photons to vibrational excitation of Ag nanoparticle 2D array studied by scanning tunneling microscope light emission spectroscopy

Scanning tunneling microscope light emission (STM-LE) spectroscopy has been utilized to elucidate the luminescence phenomena of Ag nanoparticles capped with myristate (myristate-capped AgNP) and 2-methyl-1-propanethiolate (C(4)S-capped AgNP) on the dodecanethiol-precovered Au substrate. The STM imaging revealed that myristate-capped AgNPs form an ordered hexagonal array whereas C(4)S-capped AgNPs show imperfect ordering, indicating that a shorter alkyl chain of C(4)S-capped AgNP is not sufficient to form rigid interdigitation. It should be noted that such a nanoparticle ordering affects the luminescence properties of the Ag nanoparticle. We found that the STM-LE is only detected from the Ag nanoparticles forming the two-dimensional superlattice. This indicates that the STM-LE of the Ag nanoparticle is radiated via the collective excitation of the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spread over the Ag nanoparticles. Note that the STM-LE spectra of the Ag nanoparticles exhibit spike-like peaks superimposed on the broad light emission peak. Using Raman spectroscopy, we concluded that the spike-like structure appearing in the STM-LE spectra is associated with the vibrational excitation of the molecule embedded between Ag nanoparticles.     

Preparation and nonlinear optical properties of Au nanoparticles doped TiO2 thin films

Nano-sized noble metal nanoparticles doped dielectric composite films with large third-order nonlinear susceptibility due to the confinement and the enhancement of local field were considered to be applied for optical information processing devices, such as optical switch or all optical logical gates. In this paper, sol–gel titania thin films doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, ~10 nm in average size) were prepared. AuNPs were firstly synthesized from HAuCl₄ in aqueous solution at ~60 °C, using trisodium citrate as the reducing agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone as the stable agent; then the particle size and optical absorption spectra of the AuNPs in aqueous solutions were characterized by transmitting electron microscopy and UV–Vis–NIR spectrometry. Sol–gel 2AuNPs–100TiO₂ (in %mol) thin films (5 layers, ~1 μm in thickness) were deposited on silica glass slides by multilayer dip-coating. After heat-treated at 300–1,000 °C in air, the AuNPs–TiO₂ thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The nonlinear optical properties of the AuNPs–TiO₂ thin films were measured with the Z-scan technique, using a femtosecond laser (200 fs) at the wavelength of 800 nm. The third-order nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient of 2AuNPs–100TiO₂ films were at the order of 10^?12 cm²/W, and the order of 10^?6 cm/W, respectively, and the third-order optical nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ was ~6.88 × 10^?10 esu.     

Potential of Kalopanax septemlobus Leaf Extract in Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Selective Inhibition of Specific Bacterial Strain in Mixed Culture

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesised using Kalopanax septemlobus plant leaf extracts. UV-visible spectrophotometric, Fourier-transform infrared, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed synthesis of AgNPs. TEM micrographs revealed presence of well-dispersed AgNPs predominantly of small size and different shapes with an average particle size of 30.8 nm. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests of AgNP treatments revealed variability in sensitivity of bacteria Bacillus cereus and Saccharophagus degradans under study. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the AgNPs for B. cereus and S. degradans were found to be 30 and 10 μg/mL, respectively. The mixed culture of B. cereus and S. degradans treated with AgNPs at 10 μg/mL showed increase in growth with time, suggesting survival of bacteria in liquid media. The plating of mixed culture before AgNP treatment showed presence of both bacteria, but 24-h-old mixed culture treated with AgNPs at the concentration of 10 μg/mL showed presence of B. cereus colonies. SEM micrographs revealed damage to S. degradans cells but no effect on B. cereus cells after AgNP treatment. Confocal microscopic observations of AgNP-treated mixed cultures by Nile blue A staining indicated intact polyhydroxyalkanoates producing flourescent cells of B. cereus but damage and deformities in S. degradans cells. This study suggests that AgNPs can selectively inhibit growth of S. degradans and retain B. cereus at MIC of S. degradans. This report is a case study for selective inhibition of one bacteria and growth of the other in a culture using plant-synthesized silver nanoparticles.     

Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Obtained from T. arjuna Bark Extract as Both Reducing and Capping Agent

A simple, environmentally benign and cost effective method is reported to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous solution of AgNO₃ and T. Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) bark extract, which act as both reducing and capping agent, under microwave irradiation. The formation of AgNPs was monitored by recording optical absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance observed at ~425 nm. The bioactive polyphenols extracted from the plant extract are responsible for reduction of Ag⁺ → Ag⁰. During the formation of AgNPs, the reaction mixture showed gradual decrease in pH and an increase in reduction potential. The powder XRD pattern of AgNPs confirmed their fcc structure. An FTIR spectrum showed the presence of plant-residues adsorbed on the surface of AgNPs, which indicates the in situ bio-capping. The TG curve of AgNPs showed ~30 % weight loss due to thermal degradation of these plant-residues. The FE-SEM images showed spherical shape of AgNPs with an average particle size of 10–15 nm. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ag as a major element. The biological evaluation of AgNPs showed higher inhibitory action for both bacteria and yeast when compared to that of fungus. A very good antioxidant property was also observed for these bio-capped AgNPs.     

Dispersion of thiol stabilized gold nanoparticles in lyotropic liquid crystalline systems

A new method of forming stable dispersions of alkanethiol and aromatic thiol stabilized gold nanoparticles in two different lyotropic liquid crystalline mediums, namely, a columnar hexagonal phase made up of a Triton X-100/water system and an inverse columnar hexagonal phase made up of pure AOT, are presented. The dispersions have been characterized using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and polarizing optical microscopy. Our studies show that the gold nanoparticles are distributed outside the columns formed by both the surfactants. Such dispersions can find applications in the study of nanoparticles as well as in the development of devices based on some unique properties of metal nanoparticles.     

Electrical and electro-optical parameters of 4ʹ-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl nematic liquid crystal dispersed with gold and silver nanoparticles

Thermodynamical, dielectric, optical and electro-optical characterisation of pure 8CB and its composites with gold and silver nanoparticles have been studied. Thermodynamical studies suggest a decrease in clearing temperature of the nanocomposite systems as compared to the pure system. Dielectric parameters of pure nematic liquid crystal and nanocomposites in the homeotropic and planar aligned samples have been measured in the frequency range of 1–35 MHz. Ionic conductivity increases significantly in nematic and smectic A_d (SmA_d) phases, whereas dielectric anisotropy is almost unchanged for both the nanocomposites. Threshold voltage for Freederick transition, switching voltage and splay elastic constant have decreased in the case of nanocomposite systems. Relaxation frequency and activation energy of an observed relaxation mode corresponding to molecular rotation about the short axis increase in the SmA_d phases of both the nanocomposites. The optical study suggests that due to dispersion of nanoparticles, the optical band gap has decreased.     

Effect of silver nanoparticles concentration on the metal enhancement and quenching of ciprofloxacin fluorescence intensity

Concentration effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the photophysical properties of ciprofloxacin (Cip) have been investigated using optical absorption and fluorescence techniques. When performed AgNPs solution was added to the Cip solution, metal-enhanced fluorescence intensity and a blue-shift of 20 nm in the maximum emission spectra of Cip has been observed. The enhanced intensity of this system is strongly dependent on the AgNPs concentration and largest at the 6.0 × 10^?6 mol L^?1. With increase of AgNPs concentration, quenching of fluorescence is observed. Stern–Volmer quenching constants have been calculated at four temperatures. The results show the quenching constants are directly correlated with temperature. It indicates the quenching mechanism is the dynamic quenching in nature rather than static quenching. From which we determined the activation energy for the quenching of Cip-AgNPs to be about 31.1 kJ mol^?1. In addition, in the presence of optimum AgNPs concentration, a sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of ciprofloxacin at the range 5.0 × 10^?7–3.0 × 10^?5 mol L^?1 and the detection limit of 2 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 in solution is proposed.     

Ficus carica Latex-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Application as a Chemophotoprotective Agent

The present work provides scientific support on the use of latex of Ficus carica to synthesize stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNPs synthesized immediately after the addition of latex to silver nitrate solution at room temperature. Synthesized nanoparticles were of spherical shape with average size of 163.7 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed capping of proteins and phenolic compound on AgNPs, while X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the fcc nature of AgNPs. Particles formed were stable for a long time (6 months). It was found that incorporation of AgNPs with 2 and 4 % concentration exhibits synergistic increase in sun protection factor of commercial sunscreen and natural extracts ranging from 01 to 12,175 % than control. Further characterization of latex and AgNPs revealed total phenolic content of 98.75 and 94.88 μg/ml. The ferric ion reduction potentials of latex and AgNPs were 79.69 and 18.79 %. Reduction potential of ascorbic acid was synergistically increased after cumulative preparation of ascorbic acid with latex and AgNPs and found to be 106.76 and 101.50 % for ascorbic acid + latex and ascorbic acid + AgNPs, respectively.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Water Extract from Galls of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhus Chinensis</Emphasis> and Its Antibacterial Activity

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been proposed as a simple, eco-friendly and cost effective alternative to chemical and physical methods. The Rhus chinensis plant is one of the well studied medicinal plant and its galls find excellent clinical and therapeutic applications. The present study reports the use of water extract from galls of R. chinensis as a reducing agent and formation of AgNPs from silver nitrate solution by a green synthesis route. The AgNPs formation was observed visually by color change and the absorbance peak at 450 nm was observed by UV–Visible spectrophotometer. The shape, size, and morphology of synthesized AgNPs were monitored by transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The face centered cubic structure of AgNPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern and element composition by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum revealed that the presence of components acts as a reducing and capping agent. The antibacterial activity was performed using the agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined by broth dilution and spread plate method respectively. Synthesized nanoparticles were spotted as triangular and hexagonal shape and the particle size was around 150 nm.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Acacia farnesiana (Sweet Acacia) Seed Extract Under Microwave Irradiation and Their Biological Assessment

In the present study, Acacia farnesiana (Sweet acacia) seed extract is used to reduce Ag⁺ → Ag⁰ under microwave irradiation. The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is monitored by recording the UV–Vis absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at ~450 nm. The absorbance of SPR increases linearly with increasing temperature of the reaction mixture. Rapid reduction of silver ions occurred to form AgNPs, 80–90 % yield in about 150 s. A marginal decrease in pH and increase in solution potential (E) of the reaction mixture during the formation of AgNPs are in agreement with the proposed mechanism. XRD pattern of the AgNPs agree with the fcc structure of Ag metal, and the calculated crystallite size is ~17 nm. FT-IR and solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra indicate the functional groups of flavonones and terpenoids (biomolecules from plant extract) which are adsorbed on AgNPs, thereby the present method led to in situ biofunctionalization/bio-capping of AgNPs. TG analysis shows the thermal decomposition of these plant residues present on AgNPs at about 250 °C. The spherical shape of the particles with a diameter (?) in the range of ~15–20 nm is evident from FE-SEM image. Elemental analysis by EDX analysis confirms the presence of Ag as the only major element. The in vitro antibacterial screening of AgNPs shows that these bio-capped AgNPs have higher inhibitory action for E. coli and S. aureus followed by B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. In addition, AgNPs show very good antioxidant property.     

Rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Crotalaria verrucosa leaves against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti: what happens around? An analysis of dragonfly predatory behaviour after exposure at ultra-low doses

Aedes aegypti is a primary vector of dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease infecting 50–100 million people every year. Here, we biosynthesised mosquitocidal silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the aqueous leaf extract of Crotalaria verrucosa. The green synthesis of AgNP was studied by UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, EDX and FTIR. C. verrucosa-synthesised AgNPs were toxic against A. aegypti larvae and pupae. LC₅₀ of AgNP ranged from 3.496 ppm (I instar larvae) to 17.700 ppm (pupae). Furthermore, we evaluated the predatory efficiency of dragonfly nymphs, Brachydiplax sobrina, against II and III instar larvae of A. aegypti in an aquatic environment contaminated with ultra-low doses of AgNP. Under standard laboratory conditions, predation after 24 h was 87.5% (II) and 54.7% (III). In an AgNP-contaminated environment, predation was 91 and 75.5%, respectively. Overall, C. verrucosa-synthesised AgNP could be employed at ultra-low doses to reduce larval population of dengue vectors enhancing predation rates of dragonfly nymphs.     

Effects of silver nanoparticle doping on the electro-optical properties of polymer stabilized liquid crystal devices

ABSTRACT

Polymer stabilised liquid crystal (PSLC) devices are widely used in various smart light modulation occasions. Their electro-optical properties can still be improved to address future challenges. It is well known that doping liquid crystal (LC) materials with nanoparticles can change the material’s electro-optical performance. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with size about 15–20 nm and surfactant were doped into PSLC devices. The effects of AgNPs doping on the PSLC electro-optical performances were studied. The result shows that AgNPs and surfactant doping can increase the dielectric anisotropy of LC mixture. PSLC devices with AgNPs doping have lower driving voltage and response time than un-doped PSLC devices. Therefore, doping of a specific concentration of AgNPs resulted in PSLC devices with improved electro-optical performance.     

Study on thermal properties of organic ester phase-change material embedded with silver nanoparticles

This study investigates the thermal properties of new silver nano-based organic ester (SNOE) phase-change material (PCM) in terms of latent heat capacity, thermal conductivity and heat storage and release capabilities experimentally. Spherical-shaped surface-functionalized crystalline silver nanoparticles (AgNP) prepared were embedded in mass proportions of 0.1 through 5.0 wt% into the pure (base) PCM. Experimental results reveal that dispersion of AgNP into PCM was effective, only physical and no chemical interaction between AgNP and PCM has been exhibited; thereby phase-change temperature of SNOE PCMs were acceptable. These are essential characteristics for SNOE PCMs which signified their thermal and chemical stability on long term. Test results suggest that while compared to pure PCM, degree of supercooling was reduced by 11.7–6.8 % for aforesaid mass proportions of AgNP, whereas latent heat capacities decreased by 7.88 % in freezing and 8.91 % in melting. The interdependencies between thermophysical properties in improving nucleation and growth rate of stable SNOE PCM crystals were signified and discussed. Thermal conductivity of SNOE PCMs were enhanced from 0.284 to 0.765 W m^?1 K^?1 which was expected to be a 10–67 % increase for the above mass loading of AgNP. Furthermore, for SNOE PCMs enhancement span in freezing and melting cycles was improved by 41 and 45.6 %, respectively. Similarly, cooling and melting times were reduced by 30.8 and 11.3 %, respectively. Embedded AgNP helps to achieve improved thermophysical and heat storage characteristics for SNOE PCMs, which in turn can be considered as a potential candidate for cool thermal energy storage applications.     

Star-shaped oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) substituted hexaarylbenzene: purity, stability, and chiral self-assembly

An oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV)-substituted hexaarylbenzene has been synthesized and fully characterized. Recycling gel permeation chromatography appeared to be a powerful technique to obtain the OPV molecules in a very pure form. X-ray analysis and polarization optical microscopy revealed that the OPV molecule is plastic crystalline at room temperature with an ordered columnar superstructure. In apolar solvents, the molecules self-assemble via a highly cooperative fashion into right-handed chiral superstructures, which are stable even at high temperatures and low concentration. Atomic force microscopy revealed right-handed fibers with a diameter of 6 nm, indicating pi-stacked aggregates; on a silicon oxide substrate, supercoiled chiral structures were observed. STM studies on a liquid-solid interface showed that the star-shaped OPV molecule forms an organized monolayer having a chiral hexagonal lattice.     

Clay-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles exhibiting low-temperature melting

Nanohybrids of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported on mica clay were synthesized by in situ reduction of silver nitrate in an aqueous solution. The required mica platelets of high aspect ratio were previously prepared by the exfoliation of mica clay stacks in a multilayered structure through an ionic exchange reaction with poly(oxypropylene)-amine-salt. The exfoliated nanoscale mica platelets (Mica) are polydispersed such that each platelet is 300-1000 nm in width and 1 nm in thickness. These platelets possess ionic charges in the form of ≡SiO(-)Na(+) at 120 mequiv/100 g and are suitable for supporting AgNPs in the process of in situ reduction of silver nitrate. Transmission electronic microscopy revealed the formation of AgNPs with a narrow size distribution of ca. 8 nm in diameter on the rim of individual Mica platelets. However, the pristine layered Mica structure without exfoliation failed to produce a fine AgNP distribution but instead generated particles larger than 30 nm and some precipitates. Characterization by differential scanning calorimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the fine AgNPs on Mica platelets exhibited a low melting temperature of 110 °C. The AgNP/Mica nanohybrid not containing an organic dispersant is considered to be a "naked" silver particle.     

Immobilization of silver nanoparticles into POEGMA polymer brushes as SERS‐active substrates

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has attracted a great deal of interest during the past four decades and emerged as an ultrasensitive optical technique for chemical and biomedical analysis. It is widely accepted that the facile fabrication of SERS substrates with high activity and good reproducibility is of crucial importance for their applications. Herein, we report on a fast and robust method for the synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA) brushes under mild conditions without using any reducing agents. POEGMA brushes of different chain lengths were synthesized directly on silicon wafers by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization with various reaction time. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope measurements indicated that the AgNPs were firmly and homogeneously embedded into POEGMA brushes. The resulting POEGMA–AgNP hybrid films were employed as SERS substrates for the detection of 4‐aminothiophenol, giving rise to an enhancement factor of up to 1.9 × 10⁶. The influence of the POEGMA's chain length on SERS performance was also investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of cobalt concentration on structural and optical properties of ZnS quantum dots

ZnS and Co-doped ZnS nanoparticles have been prepared by simple chemical precipitation method. Zinc acetate, sodium sulfide, and cobalt nitrate have been used as precursors for the preparation of Co-doped ZnS quantum dots. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that the undoped and Co-doped ZnS quantum dots exhibit hexagonal structure. The average grain size of quantum dot was found to lie in the range of 2.6–3.8 nm. The surface morphology has been studied using scanning electron microscope. The compositional analysis results confirm the presence of Co, Zn and S in the sample. The optical properties of undoped and Co-doped ZnS quantum dots have been studied using absorption spectra. TEM results show that undoped and Co-doped ZnS nanoparticles exhibit a uniform size distribution with average size of 2.5–3.4 nm.