Synthesis and properties of Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles

Au-Fe(3)O(4) composite nanoparticles have received much research interest due to their promising biomedical applications. In this work, Au-Fe(3)O(4) composites with well-defined dimer-like nanostructure were synthesized via thermal decomposition route. The surfactant 1,2-hexandicandiol has proved to be critical for the formation of the Au-Fe(3)O(4) hetero-dimers. The hetero-dimers production yield could be significantly improved to be 90% when the 1,2-hexandicandiol concentration was optimized at 0.6 M. The obtained Au-Fe(3)O(4) hetero-dimers possess dual-functionalities of plasmon resonance and magnetization. Moreover, the Fe(3)O(4) domain of the hetero-dimers can be tuned readily by adjusting the molar ratio between Fe and Au sources. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that these Au-Fe(3)O(4) hetero-dimers could be further developed into star-like Au-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles which showed plasmon absorption at NIR region.     

Purification and Magnetic Interrogation of Hybrid Au-Fe(3) O(4) and FePt-Fe(3) O(4) Nanoparticles

Purifying heterodimers: Differential magnetic catch and release separation is used to purify two important hybrid nanocrystal systems, Au-Fe(3) O(4) and FePt-Fe(3) O(4) . The purified samples have substantially different magnetic properties compared to the as-synthesized materials: the magnetization values are more accurate and magnetic polydispersity is identified in morphologically similar hybrid nanoparticles.     

Controllable synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid MoOx/polyaniline nanowires and nanotubes

A novel chemical oxidative polymerization approach has been proposed for the controllable preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid MoO(x)/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites based on the nanowire precursor of Mo(3)O(10)(C(6)H(8)N)(2)·2H(2)O with sub-nanometer periodic structures. The nanotubes, nanowires, and rambutan-like nanoparticles of MoO(x)/PANI were successfully obtained through simply modulating the pH values to 2.5-3.5, ≈2.0 and ≈1.0, respectively. Through systematic physicochemical characterization, such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and so forth, the composition and structure of MoO(x)/PANI hybrid nanocomposites are well confirmed. It is found that the nanowire morphology of the precursor is the key to achieve the one-dimensional (1D) structures of final products. A new polymerization-dissolution mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of such products with different morphologies, in which the match between polymerization and dissolution processes of the precursor plays the important role. This approach will find a new way to controllably prepare various organic-inorganic hybrid 1D nanomaterials especially for polymer-hybrid nanostructures.     

Supramolecular self-assembled arrangements of maltose glyconanoparticles

Our group previously reported the preparation of water-soluble Au-Fe(x)O(y) nanoparticles functionalized with a maltose neoglycoconjugate. A fraction soluble in methanol was also separated and originated a new supramolecular polymeric aggregate. We report here the full characterization of this novel material by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence emission, and atomic force microscopy. By means of noncontact dynamic atomic force microscopy, we have been able to obtain information about the organization of the organic components of the polymers, which eluded TEM analysis. We have observed that polymers packed in units about 65 nm in length and 40 nm in width on Au surfaces. The nanoparticles seem to be encapsulated by the organic material. We propose interactions between the sugar residues and the amphiphilic character of the maltose neoglycoconjugate (with a lipophilic undecane spacer) as responsible for the origin of these amazing supramolecular arrangements.     

Simple and generalized synthesis of oxide-metal heterostructured nanoparticles and their applications in multimodal biomedical probes

Heterostructured nanoparticles composed of metals and Fe3O4 or MnO were synthesized by thermal decomposition of mixtures of metal-oleate complexes (for the oxide component) and metal-oleylamine complexes (for the metal component). The products included flowerlike-shaped nanoparticles of Pt-Fe3O4 and Ni-Fe3O4 and snowmanlike-shaped nanoparticles of Ag-MnO and Au-MnO. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns showed that these nanoparticles were composed of face-centered cubic (fcc)-structured Fe3O4 or MnO and fcc-structured metals. The relaxivity values of the Au-MnO and Au-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were similar to those of the MnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, respectively. Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles conjugated with two kinds of 12-base oligonucleotide sequences were able to sense a complementary 24-mer sequence, causing nanoparticle aggregation. This hybridization-mediated aggregation was detected by the overall size increase indicated by dynamic light scattering data, the red shift of the surface plasmon band of the Au component, and the enhancement of the signal intensity of the Fe3O4 component in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.     

Noble Metal‐Iron Oxide Hybrid Nanomaterials: Emerging Applications

This account provides an overview of current research activities that focus on the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials from noble metal (e.g., Au, Ag, Pd) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) hybrids. An introduction to the synthetic strategies that have been developed for generating M–Fe₃O₄ nanomaterials with different novel structures is presented. Surface functionalization and bioconjugation of these hybrid nanoparticles and nanocomposites are also reviewed. The utilization of the advantageous properties of both noble metals and iron oxide for a variety of applications, such as theranostics, gene delivery, biosensing, cell sorting, bioseparation, and catalysis, is discussed and highlighted. Finally, future trends and perspectives of these sophisticated nanocomposites are outlined. The fundamental requirements underpinning the effective preparation of M–Fe_xO_y hybrid nanomaterials shed light on the future development of heterogeneous catalysts, nanotheranostics, nanomedicines, and other chemical technologies.     

对硫磷在单壁碳纳米管/金-四氧化三铁纳米粒子复合材料修饰电极上的电化学响应及其测定

制备了单壁碳纳米管/金-四氧化三铁纳米粒子复合材料修饰玻碳电极,用循环伏安法研究了对硫磷在该电极上的电化学行为。该电极对对硫磷具有较好的富集和催化特性,在优化条件下,对硫磷的浓度与其峰电流在2.0×10-9～1.0×10-6 mol/L范围内呈线性关系,其检出限为1.0×10-9 mol/L。对1.0×10-7 mol/L的对硫磷溶液平行测定9次的RSD为3.9%(n=9)。用该电极对不同蔬菜样品中的对硫磷进行测定,平均回收率在96.0%～105.5%之间,相对标准偏差在3.3%～3.9%之间。     

Synthesis of Ru(0.58)In(0.42)O(y)⋅nH(2)O nanoparticles dispersed onto poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate)-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their application for electrochemical capacitors

In this work, poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS)-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) were first synthesized via a polymer-assisted technique. Then, Ru(0.58)In(0.42)O(y)?nH(2)O nanoparticles (NPs) were mono-dispersed onto the FMWCNTs surfaces under mild hydrothermal condition. Here, PSS with negative charge serves as a bifunctional molecule both for solubilizing and dispersing MWCNTs into aqueous solution and for tethering Ru(3+) and In(3+) to facilitate the good dispersion of Ru(1-)(x)In(x)O(y)?nH(2)O NPs onto their surfaces. The good dispersion of Ru(0.58)In(0.42)O(y)?nH(2)O NPs onto FMWCNTs makes OH(-) ions and electrons easily contact these NPs with abundant electroactive sites, which results in a large specific capacitance (SC) of 319Fg(-1) for the naocomposites. Moreover, a symmetric electrochemical capacitor (EC) is constructed by using the nanocomposites as electrodes and delivers large specific energy density of 18.1Whkg(-1), desirable power property of 1302Wkg(-1), high electrochemical reversibility and good SC retention of 84.7%.     

Dual-functional Au-Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles for sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent detection of cyanide based on the inner filter effect

We demonstrate for the first time that bifunctional Au-Fe(3)O(4) dumbbell nanoparticles can be used for sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent detection of cyanide based on the inner filter effect, and a "magnetic concentration-washing process" is proposed to effectively reduce the interference of dye pollution.     

Characterization of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)Ox) as a cocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

The structure of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide (Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3)) nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) is characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. The Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3) nanoparticle is an efficient cocatalyst for photocatalytic overall water splitting on the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) solid solution and is loaded onto the catalyst by impregnation from an aqueous solution containing Na(3)RhCl(6).2H(2)O and Cr(NO(3))(3).9H(2)O followed by calcination in air. Impregnation of the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) with 1 wt % Rh and 1.5 wt % Cr followed by calcination at 623 K for 1 h provides the highest photocatalytic activity. Structural analyses reveal that the activity of this photocatalyst is strongly dependent on the generation of trivalent Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles with optimal composition and distribution.     

Au-Ni and Au-Fe heterometallic systems: an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of Au-Ni and Au-Fe bimetallic nanoparticles (in the form of black and supported on SiO₂) are considered and systematized. The nanoparticles studied were prepared by metal-vapor synthesis. XPS studies on the chemical compositions, structures, and electronic states of heterometallic nanocomposites carried out both in the traditional and differential charging mode with a bias voltage applied to the sample holder are analyzed. The effect of the composition and electronic state of the Au-Ni heterometallic system on its catalytic activity is studied. It was shown that the variable differential charging mode allows one to identify and characterize species of different nature in multi-component heterometallic nanostructured materials. A state which correlates with the catalytic activity of the Au-Ni/SiO₂ system was identified in the Au 4f photoelectron spectra.     

Controlled synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of Mn(2)O(3) and Mn(3)O(4) nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15

A method established in the present study has proven to be effective in the synthesis of Mn(2)O(3) nanocrystals by the thermolysis of manganese(III) acetyl acetonate ([CH(3)COCH=C(O)CH(3)](3)-Mn) and Mn(3)O(4) nanocrystals by the thermolysis of manganese(II) acetyl acetonate ([CH(3)COCH=C(O)-CH(3)](2)Mn) on a mesoporous silica, SBA-15. In particular, Mn(2)O(3) nanocrystals are the first to be reported to be synthesized on SBA-15. The structure, texture, and electronic properties of nanocomposites were studied using various characterization techniques such as N2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of powder XRD at low angles show that the framework of SBA-15 remains unaffected after generation of the manganese oxide (MnO(x)) nanoparticles, whereas the pore volume and the surface area of SBA-15 dramatically decreased as indicated by N2 adsorption-desorption. TEM images reveal that the pores of SBA-15 are progressively blocked with MnO(x) nanoparticles. The formation of the hausmannite Mn(3)O(4) and bixbyite Mn(2)O(3) structures was clearly confirmed by XRD. The surface structures of MnO(x) were also determined by LRS, XPS, and TPR. The crystalline phases of MnO(x) were identified by LRS with corresponding out-of-plane bending and symmetric stretching vibrations of bridging oxygen species (M-O-M) of both MnO(x) nanoparticles and bulk MnO(x). We also observed the terminal Mn=O bonds corresponding to vibrations at 940 and 974 cm-1 for Mn(3)O(4)/SBA-15 and Mn(2)O(3)/SBA-15, respectively. These results show that the MnO(x) species to be highly dispersed inside the channels of SBA-15. The nanostructure of the particles was further identified by the TPR profiles. Furthermore, the chemical states of the surface manganese (Mn) determined by XPS agreed well with the findings of LRS and XRD. These results suggest that the method developed in the present study resulted in the production of MnO(x) nanoparticles on mesoporous silica SBA-15 by controlling the crystalline phases precisely. The thus-prepared nanocomposites of MnO(x) showed significant catalytic activity toward CO oxidation below 523 K. In particular, the MnO(x) prepared from manganese acetyl acetonate showed a higher catalytic reactivity than that prepared from Mn(NO(3))2.     

A BODIPY-functionalized bimetallic probe for sensitive and selective color-fluorometric chemosensing of Hg(2+)

A new BODIPY dye conjugate has demonstrated selective quenching by mercury over other metal ions. Coupling of this probe to Au-Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles as well as platinum electrodes offered sensitive systems for suspension and surface based sensing, respectively.     

Toughening of Epoxy Nanocomposites: Nano and Hybrid Effects

In this paper, we review recent progress made in the field of epoxy-based binary and ternary nanocomposites containing three-, two-, and one-dimensional (i.e., 3D-, 2D-, and 1D) nano-size fillers with a special focus on their fracture behaviors. Despite investigations conducted so far to evaluate the crack-resistance of epoxy nanocomposites and attempts made to clarify the controlling toughening mechanisms of these materials, some questions remain unsolved. It is shown that silica nanoparticles can be as effective as rubber particles in improving the fracture toughness/energy; but incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or clay platelets in epoxy matrices delays crack growth only modestly. The “nano” effects of silica (<25 vol.%) and rubber (>10 wt.%) nanoparticles in toughening epoxy resin are confirmed by comparison with silica and rubber micro-particles of the same loading. There is clear evidence of both synergistic and additive toughening effects in the silica/rubber/epoxy ternary nanocomposites. In addition, positive hybrid toughening effect has been observed in the nano-rubber/CNT/epoxy composites; however, a negative hybrid effect is predominant in nano-clay/nano-rubber/epoxy ternary nano-composites. Future research directions for epoxy-based nanocomposites towards multi-functional applications are discussed.     

The behavior of mixed-metal oxides: physical and chemical properties of bulk Ce1-xTbxO2 and nanoparticles of Ce1-xTbxOy

The physical and chemical properties of bulk Ce(1-x)Tb(x)O(2) and Ce(1-x)Tb(x)O(y) nanoparticles (xTb exchange nor the introduction of oxygen vacancies in Ce(1-x)Tb(x)O(y) significantly affect the charge on the Ce cations. In contrast, the O K-edge and Tb L(III)-edge XANES spectra for Ce(1-x)Tb(x)O(y) nanoparticles show substantial changes with respect to the corresponding spectra of Ce and Tb single oxide references. The Ce(0.5)Tb(0.5)O(y) compounds exhibit a much larger Tb(3+)/Tb(4+) ratio than TbO(1.7). A comparison with the properties of Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O(y) and Ce(1-x)Ca(x)O(y) shows important differences in the charge distribution, the magnitude of the dopant induced strain in the oxide lattice, and a superior behavior in the case of the Ce(1-x)Tb(x)O(y) systems. The Tb-containing oxides combine stability at high temperature against phase segregation and a reasonable concentration of O vacancies, making them attractive for chemical and catalytic applications.     

Redox-Active Hybrid Polyoxometalate-Stabilised Gold Nanoparticles

We report the design and preparation of multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials through the stabilization of gold nanoparticles with thiol-functionalised hybrid organic–inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs). The covalent attachment of the hybrid POM forms new nanocomposites that are stable at temperatures and pH values which destroy analogous electrostatically functionalised nanocomposites. Photoelectrochemical analysis revealed the unique photochemical and redox properties of these systems.     

Redox‐Active Hybrid Polyoxometalate‐Stabilised Gold Nanoparticles

We report the design and preparation of multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials through the stabilization of gold nanoparticles with thiol‐functionalised hybrid organic–inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs). The covalent attachment of the hybrid POM forms new nanocomposites that are stable at temperatures and pH values which destroy analogous electrostatically functionalised nanocomposites. Photoelectrochemical analysis revealed the unique photochemical and redox properties of these systems.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of Zn-Cu-Cr-La ferrite and its nanocomposites with polyaniline

Nanosized Zn(0.6)Cu(0.4)Cr(0.5)Fe(1.5-x)La(x)O(4) (x=0 - 0.06) ferrites doped with La are synthesized by a rheological phase reaction method. Polyaniline (PANI)/ferrite nanocomposites are prepared by in situ polymerization method. The structure, morphology and ferromagnetic property of ferrite powders and nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results indicate that the PANI and nanosized ferrite powders can be combined effectively. The polymers can reduce the agglomeration of nanosized ferrite particles to some extent, which is good for the dispersedness and stabilization of nanoparticles. The PANI/ferrite nanocomposites under applied magnetic field exhibit the hysteretic loops of the ferromagnetic nature. The magnetic properties of nanocomposites are tailored by controlling the ferrite content.     

Energy/Hole Transfer Phenomena in Hybrid α‐Sexithiophene (α‐STH) Nanoparticle–CdTe Quantum‐Dot Nanocomposites

Considerable attention has been paid to hybrid organic–inorganic nanocomposites for designing new optical materials. Herein, we demonstrate the energy and hole transfer of hybrid hole‐transporting α‐sexithiophene (α‐STH) nanoparticle–CdTe quantum dot (QD) nanocomposites using steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopy. Absorption and photoluminescence studies confirm the loss of planarity of the α‐sexithiophene molecule due to the formation of polymer nanoparticles. Upon photoexcitation at 370 nm, a nonradiative energy transfer (73 %) occurs from the hole‐transporting α‐STH nanoparticles to the CdTe nanoparticles with a rate of energy transfer of 6.13×10⁹ s^?1. However, photoluminescence quenching of the CdTe QDs in the presence of the hole‐transporting α‐STH nanoparticles is observed at 490 nm excitation, which is due to both static‐quenching and hole‐transfer‐based dynamic‐quenching phenomena. The calculated hole‐transporting rate is 7.13×10⁷ s^?1 in the presence of 42×10^?8 M α‐STH nanoparticles. Our findings suggest that the interest in α‐sexithiophene (α‐STH) nanoparticle–CdTe QD hybrid nanocomposites might grow in the coming years because of various potential applications, such as solar cells, optoelectronic devices, and so on.     

Luminescent and magnetic Fe3O4/Py/PAM nanocomposites for the chromium(VI) determination

A novel luminescent and magnetic Fe(3)O(4)/pyrene/polyacrylamide (Fe(3)O(4)/Py/PAM) nanocomposite has been prepared under ultrasonic radiation. This magnetic nanocomposite combined with pyrene would lead to a special functional magnetic luminescent composite that enjoys both the advantages of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe(3)O(4) and fluorescence nanoparticles of pyrene. Taking advantage of the magnetic property of Fe(3)O(4) nanocomposites, we can separate Fe(3)O(4)/Py/PAM nanocomposites from solution easily just by using a permanent magnet. Based on the fluorescence quenching of Fe(3)O(4)/Py/PAM nanocomposites by Cr(VI), a method for the selective determination of Cr(VI), without separation of Cr(III) in water, was developed. Under optimal experimental conditions, a limit of detection of 0.01 microg mL(-1) was achieved. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-14.0 microg mL(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.9975. The proposed method has been applied to the selective quantification of Cr(VI) in synthetic samples and wastewater samples with the satisfactory results.