Potentiometric urea biosensor based on poly(glycidylmethacrylate)-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles

Urease enzyme was covalently attached on the poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA)-grafted iron oxide nanoparticles on Au electrode for the fabrication of urea biosensor. The telomere of poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA) with a trimethoxysilyl terminal group was synthesized by telomerization of glycidylmethacrylate. Iron oxide nanoparticles were coated with telomere of poly(glycidylmethacrylate) in order to obtain good enzyme immobilization platform. The telomere and nanoparticles were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The biosensor’s potentiometric response was measured as a function of urea concentration in phosphate buffer solution (10 mM, pH 7.5) and showed a linear range of 0.25–5.0 mM urea. The produced biosensor exhibited a good response time of ～8 s and was stable for about two months. The basic features (optimum pH, optimum temperature, interference and storage stability) of the enzyme electrode were determined.     

Fabrication and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles filled polypyrrole nanocomposites

The effect of iron oxide nanoparticle addition on the physicochemical properties of the polypyrrole (PPy) was investigated. In the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles, PPy was observed in the form of discrete nanoparticles, not the usual network structure. PPy showed crystalline structure in the nanocomposites and pure PPy formed without iron oxide nanoparticles. PPy exhibited amorphous structure and nanoparticles were completely etched away in the nanocomposites formed with mechanical stirring over a 7-h reaction. The thermal stability of the PPy in the nanocomposites was enhanced under the thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increased greatly upon the initial addition (20 wt%) of iron oxide nanoparticles. However, a higher nanoparticle loading (50 wt%) decreased the conductivity as a result of the dominance of the insulating iron oxide nanoparticles. Standard four-probe measurements indicated a three-dimensional variable-range-hopping conductivity mechanism. The magnetic properties of the fabricated nanocomposites were dependent on the particle loading. Ultrasonic stirring was observed to have a favorable effect on the protection of iron oxide nanoparticles from dissolution in acid. A tight polymer structure surrounds the magnetic nanoparticles, as compared to a complete loss of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles during conventional mechanical stirring for the micron-sized iron oxide particles filled PPy composite fabrication.     

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-(3-thienylmethylmethacrylate))

Two novel glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme electrodes based on the copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate with 3-thienylmethyl methacrylate (poly(GMA-co-MTM)) with and without polypyrrole (PPyr) coating were prepared and employed in the amperometric determination of glucose levels. The effect of PPyr coating on the electrode properties was investigated in detail. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that electrical conductivity of electrode B with PPyr coating (poly(GMA-co-MTM)/GOx/PPyr) was substantially higher than that of electrode A (poly(GMA-co-MTM)/GOx). On the other hand, electrode A showed better results in terms of sensitivity (10 nA/mM), limit of detection (50.2 μM), and response time (5 s). Electrodes A and B gave linear responses to the glucose concentrations in the range of 2–20 and 2–14 mM, respectively. The ranges of linearity for both enzyme electrodes are sufficient for the determination of physiological glucose concentrations in human blood. Moreover, PPyr coating of electrode B did not result in further stabilization of the enzyme electrode.     

Size-dependent magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles

Uniform iron oxide nanoparticles in the size range from 10 to 24 nm and polydisperse 14 nm iron oxide particles were prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(III) carboxylates in the presence of oleic acid and co-precipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) chlorides by ammonium hydroxide followed by oxidation, respectively. While the first method produced hydrophobic oleic acid coated particles, the second one formed hydrophilic, but uncoated, nanoparticles. To make the iron oxide particles water dispersible and colloidally stable, their surface was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) and sucrose, respectively. Size and size distribution of the nanoparticles was determined by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and X-ray diffraction. Surface of the PEG-functionalized and sucrose-modified iron oxide particles was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Magnetic properties were measured by means of vibration sample magnetometry and specific absorption rate in alternating magnetic fields was determined calorimetrically. It was found, that larger ferrimagnetic particles showed higher heating performance than smaller superparamagnetic ones. In the transition range between superparamagnetism and ferrimagnetism, samples with a broader size distribution provided higher heating power than narrow size distributed particles of comparable mean size. Here presented particles showed promising properties for a possible application in magnetic hyperthermia.     

Study of iron oxide nanoparticles in soil for remediation of arsenic

There is a growing interest in the use of nanoparticles for environmental applications due to their unique physical and chemical properties. One possible application is the removal of contaminants from water. In this study, the use of iron oxide nanoparticles (19.3 nm magnetite and 37.0 nm hematite) were examined to remove arsenate and arsenite through column studies. The columns contained 1.5 or 15 wt% iron oxide nanoparticles and soil. Arsenic experiments were conducted with 1.5 wt% iron oxides at 1.5 and 6 mL/h with initial arsenate and arsenite concentrations of 100 μg/L. Arsenic release occurred after 400 PV, and 100% release was reached. A long-term study was conducted with 15 wt% magnetite nanoparticles in soil at 0.3 mL/h with an initial arsenate concentration of 100 μg/L. A negligible arsenate concentration occurred for 3559.6 pore volumes (PVs) (132.1 d). Eventually, the arsenate concentration reached about 20% after 9884.1 PV (207.9 d). A retardation factor of about 6742 was calculated indicating strong adsorption of arsenic to the magnetite nanoparticles in the column. Also, increased adsorption was observed after flow interruption. Other experiments showed that arsenic and 12 other metals (V, Cr, Co, Mn, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb, Sb, Tl, Th, U) could be simultaneously removed by the iron oxide nanoparticles in soil. Effluent concentrations were less than 10% for six out of the 12 metals. Desorption experiment showed partial irreversible sorption of arsenic to the iron oxide nanoparticle surface. Strong adsorption, large retardation factor, and resistant desorption suggest that magnetite and hematite nanoparticles have the potential to be used to remove arsenic in sandy soil possibly through in situ techniques.     

Synthesis and functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles with different amino-functional alkoxysilanes

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles show great promise for many biotechnological applications. This paper addresses the synthesis and characterization of SPIO nanoparticles grafted with three different alkoxysilanes: 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES), 3-aminopropyl-ethyl-diethoxysilane (APDES) and 3-aminopropyl-diethy-ethoxysilane (APES). SPIO nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 10 nm were prepared by chemical sonoprecipitation. As confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, silylation of these nanoparticles occurs through a two-step process. Decreasing the number of alkoxide groups reduced the concentration of free amino groups on the SPIO surface ([SPIO-NH₂]—APTES>APDES>APES). This phenomenon results from steric contributions and the formation of H-bonded amines provided by the ethyl groups present in the APDES and APES molecules. A simulation of SPIO nanoparticles in a saline physiologic solution shows that the ethyl groups impart larger steric stability onto the ferrofluids, which reduces aggregation. The magnetization (M) versus magnetic field (H) curves show that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles display superparamagnetic behavior. The zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) curves show that the changes in the blocking temperature depend on the alkoxysilane-functionalized particle surface.     

Amperometric thiol sensor based on Prussian blue-modified glassy carbon electrode

This paper describes the performance of an amperometric sensor for thiol detection. The sensor was designed based on a Prussian blue (PB) glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Prussian blue was chemically deposited onto the glassy carbon electrode by a dropletting method. Thiol compounds were detected at the PB-modified GC electrode by electrooxidation. A PB-modified glassy carbon electrode was applied to detect thiol at an applied potential of +0.25 V versus the Ag/AgCl electrode. This sensor showed an excellent electrochemical response for thiol compounds below μmol level with high sensitivity and selectivity and short response time. In the case of aminoethanethiol, the sensor showed a wide linearity range with RSDs <4% for the whole analyses, which reflected the highly reproducible sensor performance. The optimal conditions were investigated. By using the optimized conditions, the detection limit was found to 0.4 μM for aminoethanethiol (based on S/N = 3).     

Preparation and optical properties of ZnO@PPEGMA nanoparticles

The poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether monomethacrylate) (PPEGMA) grafted zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were successfully prepared via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) from the surfaces functionalized ZnO nanoparticles. The 2-bromoisobutyrate (BIB) was immobilized onto the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles through the reaction between 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BIBB) and the hydroxyl groups on nanoparticles, serving as the initiator to induce the ATRP of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA). Well-defined polymer chains were grown from the surfaces to yield hybrid nanoparticles comprised of ZnO cores and PPEGMA polymer shells having multifunctional end groups. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that the dispersion and near-band edge (NBE) emission of ZnO nanoparticles could be improved by the grafted PPEGMA polymer segments.     

A new tyrosinase biosensor based on covalent immobilization of enzyme on N-(3-aminopropyl) pyrrole polymer film

A conducting polymer film of N-amino substituted pyrrole monomer has been prepared for covalent immobilization of enzyme for biosensing applications, illustrated by tyrosinase (PPO). The tyrosinase enzyme retains its bioactivity when being immobilized on N-substituted pyrrole polymer film by covalent bonding. The enzyme electrode was characterized by UV–Vis and infrared spectroscopy. Phenolic compounds were quantitatively estimated by the direct electrochemical reduction of enzymatically liberated quinone species at −0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The results of amperometric response measurements conducted on enzyme electrode show sensitivity of 57.6, 71.4 and 45.8 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻² and a linear response range of 1.8–170.2, 1.3–110.1 and 2.1–168 μM for phenol, catechol and p-cresol, respectively. The biosensor exhibits a lowest detection limit of 0.9, 0.7 and 1.1 μM, for phenol, catechol and p-cresol, respectively and a period of stable sensitivity of 3 months at 4–5 °C.     

Low temperature synthesis of iron containing carbon nanoparticles in critical carbon dioxide

We develop a low temperature, organic solvent-free method of producing iron containing carbon (Fe@C) nanoparticles. We show that Fe@C nanoparticles are self-assembled by mixing ferrocene with sub-critical (25.0 °C), near-critical (31.0 °C) and super-critical (41.0 °C) carbon dioxide and irradiating the solutions with UV laser of 266-nm wavelength. The diameter of the iron particles varies from 1 to 100 nm, whereas that of Fe@C particles ranges from 200 nm to 1 μm. Bamboo-shaped structures are also formed by iron particles and carbon layers. There is no appreciable effect of the temperature on the quantity and diameter distributions of the particles produced. The Fe@C nanoparticles show soft ferromagnetic characteristics. Iron particles are crystallised, composed of bcc and fcc lattice structures, and the carbon shells are graphitised after irradiation of electron beams.     

Catalytic dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol by Ni/Fe nanoparticles prepared in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation

In this study, nickle/iron (Ni/Fe) nanoparticles were synthesized by liquid phase reductive method in the presence of 20 kHz ultrasonic irradiation to improve nanoparticles’ disparity and avoid agglomeration. The characterized results showed that this method has obviously modified most of the particles in term of sizes and specific surface areas. Meanwhile, the improved nanoscale Ni/Fe particles were employed for the reductive dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as a function of some influential factors (Ni content, Ni/Fe nanoparticles dosage, reaction temperature and initial pH values) and degradation path. Experimental results showed that 2,4-DCP was first adsorbed by Ni/Fe nanoparticles, then quickly reduced to o-chlorophenol (o-CP), p-chlorophenol (p-CP), and finally to phenol (P). The application of ultrasonic irradiation for Ni/Fe nanoparticles synthesis was found to significantly enhance the removal efficiency of 2,4-DCP. Consequently, the phenol production rates increased from 68% (in the absence of ultrasonic irradiation) to 87% (in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation) within 180 min. Nearly 96% of 2,4-DCP was removed after 300 min reaction with these optimized conditions: Ni content over Fe⁰ 3 wt%, initial 2,4-DCP concentration 20 mg L⁻¹, Ni/Fe dosage 3 g L⁻¹, initial pH value 3.0, and reaction temperature 25 °C. The degradation of 2,4-DCP followed pseudo-first-order kinetics reaction and the apparent pseudo-first-order kinetics constant was 0.0737 min⁻¹. This study suggested that the presence of ultrasonic irradiation in the synthesis of nanoscale Ni/Fe particles could be a promising technique to enhance nanoparticle’s disparity and avoid agglomeration.     

Controlled flame synthesis of αFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles: effect of flame configuration,flame temperature,and additive loading

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used in diverse applications, including optical magnetic recording, catalysts, gas sensors, targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, and hyperthermic malignant cell therapy. Combustion synthesis of nanoparticles has significant advantages, including improved nanoparticle property control and commercial production rate capability with minimal post-processing. In the current study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were produced by flame synthesis using a coflow flame. The effect of flame configuration (diffusion and inverse diffusion), flame temperature, and additive loading on the final iron oxide nanoparticle morphology, elemental composition, and particle size were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles were primarily composed of two well known forms of iron oxide, namely hematite αFe₂O₃ and magnetite Fe₃O₄. We found that the synthesized nanoparticles were smaller (6–12 nm) for an inverse diffusion flame as compared to a diffusion flame configuration (50–60 nm) when CH₄, O₂, Ar, and N₂ gas flow rates were kept constant. In order to investigate the effect of flame temperature, CH₄, O₂, Ar gas flow rates were kept constant, and N₂ gas was added as a coolant to the system. TEM analysis of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized using an inverse diffusion flame configuration with N₂ cooling demonstrated that particles no larger than 50–60 nm in diameter can be grown, indicating that nanoparticles did not coalesce in the cooler flame. Raman spectroscopy showed that these nanoparticles were primarily magnetite, as opposed to the primarily hematite nanoparticles produced in the hot flame configuration. In order to understand the effect of additive loading on iron oxide nanoparticle morphology, an Ar stream carrying titanium-tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) was flowed through the outer annulus along with the CH₄ in the inverse diffusion flame configuration. When particles were synthesized in the presence of the TTIP additive, larger monodispersed individual particles (50–90 nm) were synthesized as observed by TEM. In this article, we show that iron oxide nanoparticles of varied morphology, composition, and size can be synthesized and controlled by varying flame configuration, flame temperature, and additive loading.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanopowders

We have synthesized the iron oxide nanoparticles using the newly developed mechanical ultrasonication method with the FeSO₄ · 7H₂O. We have also investigated the crystallographic structural properties, morphology, and magnetic properties of the nanopowders. According to the high resolution X-ray diffraction result, the as-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were magnetite (Fe₃O₄). The particle size of the magnetite nanoparticles was about 6 nm confirmed by transmission electron microscopy image. The particle shape was almost a sphere confirmed by scanning electron microscopy image. The coercivity and saturation magnetization of the as-synthesized iron oxide nanopowders were 114 Oe, and 3.7 emu/g, respectively.     

Superparamagnetic nanocomposites based on poly(styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene)/cobalt ferrite compositions

Magnetic nanoparticles were created in or around the sulfonated (s) polystyrene domains in a phase separated poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene)] block copolymer (BCP) using an in situ inorganic precipitation procedure. The sBCP was neutralized with a mixed iron/cobalt chloride electrolyte and the doped samples were converted to their oxides by reaction with sodium hydroxide and further washing with water. Transmission electron microscopy indicated the presence of nanoparticles in the 5–25 nm size range. The metal oxide particle structures were studied using select area electron diffraction, which revealed that they are of the cobalt iron oxide composition (CoFe₂O₄). These nanocomposites were shown, using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer, to be superparamagnetic at 300 K and ferrimagnetic at 5 K. Nanocomposites consisting of smaller particles have a blocking temperature of 70 K, whereas it was 140 K for larger particles.     

Effect of flexibility of grafted polymer on the morphology and property of nanosilica/PVC composites

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted-nanosilica (PMMA-g-silica) and a copolymer of styrene (St), n-butyl acrylate (BA) and acrylic acid (AA)-grafted-nanosilica (PSBA-g-silica) hybrid nanoparticles were prepared by using a heterophase polymerization technique in an aqueous system. The grafted polymers made up approximately 50 wt.% of the resulted hybrid nanoparticles which showed a spherical and well-dispersed morphology. The silica hybrid nanoparticles were subsequently used as fillers in a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix to fabricate PVC nanocomposite. Morphology study of PVC nanocomposites revealed that both PMMA- and PSBA-grafted-silica had an adhesive interface between the silica and PVC. The tensile strength and elongation to break were found to be improved significantly in comparison with that of untreated nanosilica/PVC composites. Finally our results clearly demonstrated that the properties (e.g. chain flexibility, composition) of the grafted polymer in the hybrid nanoparticles could significantly affect the dispersion behavior of hybrid nanoparticles in PVC matrix, dynamic mechanical thermal properties and mechanical properties of the resulted PVC composites.     

EPR spectroscopy and imaging of TEMPO-labeled magnetite nanoparticles

The article presents results of a study of TEMPO-labeled polymer coated superparamagnetic iron(II,III) oxide nanoparticles using both Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance imaging technique (EPRI). The X-band (9.4 GHz) EPR spectroscopy was used to investigate the behavior of TEMPO-labeled polymer coated magnetite nanoparticles in different conditions (temperature and orientation in magnetic field). The broad line, which comes from the core of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, shows anisotropy. This signal broadens with decreasing temperature, its intensity increases with increasing temperature and the g factor decreases with increasing temperature. The shape of the signal from nitroxide radical strongly depends on temperature. When temperature is higher than 200 K, a narrow triplet appears, but when it is lower than 200 K the signal consists of broad asymmetric lines. Analysis of the signal allowed characterization of the motion of the spin label attached to nanoparticles. Values of anisotropy parameter ɛ and rotational correlation time τ_c were calculated for TEMPO in the fast rotation regime.The ability of TEMPO-labeled PEG coated magnetite nanoparticles to diffuse within the hydrogel medium was also investigated. The EPR imaging of nanoparticles diffusion in hydrogel was made at room temperature using an EPR L-band (1 GHz) spectrometer. EPRI has been proved effective for evaluation of changes in the spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the sample.     

Effect of solvent polarity on the Ultrasound Assisted extraction and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from habanero pepper leaves (Capsicum chinense) and its identification by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites involved in plant adaptation processes. The development of extraction procedures, quantification, and identification of this compounds in habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) leaves can provide information about their accumulation and possible biological function. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of the UAE method and the polarity of different extraction solvents on the recovery of phenolic compounds from C. chinense leaves. Quantification of the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) by ABTS⁺ and DPPH radical inhibition methods, and the relation between the dielectric constant (ε) as polarity parameter of the solvents and TPC using Weibull and Gaussian distribution models was analyzed. The major phenolic compounds in C. chinense leaves extracts were identified and quantified by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. The highest recovery of TPC (24.39 ± 2.41 mg GAE g⁻¹ dry wt) was obtained using MeOH (50%) by UAE method. Correlations between TPC and AA of 0.89 and 0.91 were found for both radical inhibition methods (ABTS⁺ and DPPH). The Weibull and Gaussian models showed high regression values (0.93 to 0.95) suggesting that the highest phenolic compounds recovery is obtained using solvents with “ε” values between 35 and 52 by UAE. The major compounds were identified as N-caffeoyl putrescine, apigenin, luteolin and diosmetin derivatives. The models presented are proposed as a useful tool to predict the appropriate solvent composition for the extraction of phenolic compounds from C. chinense leaves by UAE based on the “ε” of the solvents for future metabolomic studies.     

Temperature-dependent magnetic anomalies of CuO nanoparticles

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with an average size of 25 nm were prepared by a sol-gel method. A detailed study was made of the magnetization of CuO nanoparticles using a maximum field of 60 kOe for temperatures between 8 and 300 K. Antiferromagnetic CuO nanoparticles exhibit anomalous magnetic properties, such as enhanced coercivity and magnetic moments. Significantly, the magnitude of the hysteresis component tends to weaken upon increase in temperature (>8 K). In addition, a hysteresis loop shift and coercivity enhancement are observed at 8 K in the field-cooled (FC, at 50 kOe) case. It is thought that the change in hysteresis behavior is due to the uncompensated surface spins of the CuO nanoparticles. The susceptibility (χ) plot showed that χ varied substantially at temperatures below 12 K, and this transition is due to the exchange interactions between the neighboring atoms at the nanoscale.     

Electrochemical characteristics of the dimercaptan-poly(ethylene oxide) grafted polyaniline electrodes

The electrochemical and transport properties of the 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) grafted polyaniline electrodes and the DMcT/polyaniline electrode interfaced with the poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) based solid-polymer-electrolyte (SPE) containing lithium perchlorate and ethylene carbonate were studied. Compared with the electrochemical and transport properties of the DMcT/polyaniline electrode, the capacitance and voltammetric current density, obtained by cyclic voltammetry, were increased for the electrode with low grafted polyaniline (less than 3 mol. %), while decreased when the applied copolymers were highly grafted ones. The charge transfer resistance obtained from impedance measurements was much smaller in the DMcT/PEO grafted polyaniline electrode than that in the DMcT/polyaniline electrode, and more pronounced reduction of charge transfer resistance was observed for the electrode with low grafted polyaniline. The diffusion coefficient of lithium cation in the electrode was increased when the PEO grafted polyaniline was used as an electrode material, however, the increase of the diffusion coefficient was less significant at higher graft degrees. All these changes in electrochemical and transport characteristics by the employment of PEO chains upon polyaniline backbones were attributed to the enhancement of lithium ion solvation and enlarged free volume in the electrode.     

Spatial characterization of the laser-induced plasma plumes generated by IR CO2 pulsed laser on carbon targets

We have used ferrocene and paraffin wax as novel precursor and solvent for the growth of iron oxide nanoparticles. The proposed method of growth has several advantages over existing methods of growth using iron pentacarbonyl a precursor. Highly crystalline and monodispersed particles are obtained which assemble in two- and three-dimensional hexagonal closed packed superlattices. Growth kinetics has been studied by varying concentration of the precursor and time of growth. A phenomenological model has been proposed to explain the growth kinetics.