Quantification of nanoparticles in aqueous food matrices using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission

Nanoparticles (NPs) of SiO(2) (15 nm) or Ag (20 - 40 nm) were dispersed in water, coffee and milk at several aqueous dilutions. The NPs dispersions concentrations were quantified with an ion beam technique: Particle-Induced X-ray Emission. Additional measurements in relation to the state of the NPs dispersions were done: particle size distribution by centrifuge liquid sedimentation and the extreme surface composition by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The particle size distribution of SiO(2) and Ag NPs dispersions in water and Ag NPs in coffee remained mostly as primary particles with hydrodynamic diameters close to the reported pristine NPs diameter. SiO(2) NPs agglomerated in coffee. In milk, both NPs presented an adsorption with milk lipids. Extreme surface composition corroborated adsorption in milk and showed that SiO(2) agglomerates adsorb some coffee components. A linear tendency in the measurement of the concentration dilutions of all dispersions was measured, and a lack of media influence in the slope of each curve was found. Limits of detection with the current setup were estimated at 0.5 and 0.3 mg/ml for SiO(2) and Ag NPs, respectively.     

Photochemical incorporation of silver quantum dots in monodisperse silica colloids for photonic crystal applications.

We developed a novel method to fabricate nanocomposite monodisperse SiO2 spheres (approximately 100 nm) containing homogeneously dispersed Ag quantum dots (approximately 2 to 5 nm). The inclusion morphology is controlled through the timing of the photochemical reduction of silver ions during hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in a microemulsion. Depending on the timing, Ag quantum dots can be directed to different annuli within the SiO2 spheres, as well as onto the SiO2 sphere surfaces. The embedded Ag quantum dots show a plasmon resonance absorption band at 438 nm. These Ag@SiO2 particles have significant surface charge and readily self-assemble into crystalline colloidal array (CCA) photonic crystals which Bragg-diffract light in the visible region. The magnitude of the plasmon resonance absorption depends on the CCA Bragg diffraction condition. The negative dielectric constant of the silver nanoparticles may be decreasing the silica-silver nanodot composite refractive index below that of the water medium. We may be observing an analogue of the Borrmann effect previously observed in X-ray scattering, where the incident and diffracted electric field standing wave becomes localized in regions of small CCA crystal absorption.     

Synthesis and antibacterial property of hollow SiO2/Ag nanocomposite spheres

This paper presents a novel and facile method to fabricate hollow silica/sliver (SiO(2)/Ag) nanocomposite spheres. In this approach, the monodisperse hollow SiO(2) colloids bearing quantenary ammonium groups were prepared by dispersion polymerization combined sol-gel process and used as templates. The Ag(+) ions were first adsorbed onto the surfaces of the hollow SiO(2) beads via electrostatic interaction and then in situ reduced by the deprotonated silanol groups of the hollow SiO(2) beads, no extra reducing agents or catalysts were added during the reduction process. TEM, SEM and EDX analyses indicated that Ag nanoparticles were successfully deposited onto the surfaces of hollow SiO(2) beads. Some influencing parameters, such as the amount of quantenary ammonium groups in the inner wall of hollow SiO(2) colloids, Ag(+) ions concentration and reaction temperature, on the deposition of Ag nanoparticles onto SiO(2) colloids were investigated. Preliminary antibacterial tests indicated that these hollow nanocomposite spheres showed excellent antibacterial ability.     

Nanocomposites of genipin-crosslinked chitosan/silver nanoparticles--structural reinforcement and antimicrobial properties

This study investigates the feasibility of a novel nanocomposite (GC/Ag) of a genipin-crosslinked chitosan (GC) film in which was embedded various amounts of Ag nanoparticles for wound-dressing applications. In situ UV-vis results revealed that adding chitosan solution did not affect the characteristics of Ag nanoparticles. The water uptake ratios and surface hydrophilicity of the GC/Ag nanocomposite were better and the degradation rates slightly lower than those of the pure GC film. The presence of Ag nanoparticles enhanced L929 cell attachment and growth. Its function as an anti-microbial agent in a GC/Ag nanocomposite was assessed for Ag contents of over 100 ppm. In conclusion, silver ions had dual functions--structural reinforcement and provision of antimicrobial properties to a biocompatible polymer.     

Preparation and characterization of the antibacterial Cu nanoparticle formed on the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles

Cu deposition on the surface of spherical SiO2 nanoparticles was studied to achieve the hybrid structure of Cu-SiO2 nanocomposite. SiO2 nanoparticles served as seeds for continuous Cu metal deposition. The chemical structure and morphology were studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The antibacterial properties of the Cu-SiO2 nanocomposite were examined with disk diffusion assays. The homogeneously formed Cu nanoparticles on the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles without aggregation of Cu nanoparticles showed excellent antibacterial ability.     

Silica Gels and Gel Glasses Containing Silver and Platinum Metal Particles

Silica gels containing between 0.05 and 20.0 mol% Ag2O and between 0.1 and 1.0 mol% PtO2 have been synthesized using TEOS, C2H5OH, H2O, HNO3, HCl, AgNO3 and PtCl4 as precursors. The gels obtained with Ag2O are colorless, while the gels containing PtO2 are yellow. The gels have been heat treated in the 25–1000°C temperature range. The processes of structural evolution of gels have been studied by means of IR-spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and transmission electron microdiffraction (TEMD). It has been established that the temperature of gel to gel-glass transition decreases when the Ag2O content of the gels increases. The same tendency was established for the gel to gel-glass transition in the SiO2-PtO2 system.Special attention was paid to the formation of silver and platinum metallic particles in amorphous materials. The microstructure of the gels has been observed and the sizes of the metal particles were determined to be from 3 to 25 nm.The crystallization processes in the gels heat treated at 1000–1200°C have been examined and besides the silver and platinum particles -cristobalite was formed.It has been shown that nanocomposite materials containing ultrafine silver and platinum particles in SiO2 amorphous or polycrystalline matrixes can be obtained.     

One-step synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid asymmetric dimer particles via miniemulsion polymerization and functionalization with silver

Organic-inorganic polystyrene (PSt)-silica (SiO2) hybrid asymmetric particles were prepared in one step by a miniemulsion polymerization technique. The organic and inorganic reagents were confined in miniemulsion microreactor droplets. After the formation of PSt and SiO2, internal phase separation inside the droplets was accelerated owing to the hydrophobicity of PSt and the hydrophilicity of SiO2. Therefore, PSt-SiO2 hybrid asymmetric particles could be synthesized in one step. Between each pair of asymmetric particles, silane couplers act as bridges connecting the PSt and SiO2 particles. The size of PSt particles in these asymmetric particles was easily tuned either by changing the weight ratio of St/TEOS or by varying the sonication power during the miniemulsion preparation. After functionalization of the as-prepared asymmetric dimers by surface decoration with Ag particles, enhanced surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties were observed due to electromagnetic enhancement of the added Ag colloids.     

Preparation and Application of a Nanocomposite (MPNS/SMA) in Leather Making

Environmental pollution is one of headache problems in leather tanning industry.Traditionally chrome tanning was the predominant technique used in leather making.However,chrome tanning is being substituted due to its pollution and scarcity of resource.The study of non-chrome tanning in leather shows more interests with the development of nanomaterial and nanotechnology.J.Z.Ma et al.have reported that organic–montmorillonite nanocomposite can raise the shrinkage temperature of pickled pigskin…     

Impact of PS/SiO2 morphologies on the SERS activity of PS/SiO2/Ag nanocomposite particles

To understand the relationship between the morphology of carboxyl-functionalized polystyrene/silica (PS/SiO₂) nanocomposite microspheres and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance of PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite particles, core-shell and raspberry-like PS/SiO₂ composite microspheres were used as templates to prepare PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite particles. The core-shell and raspberry-like structured PS/SiO₂ templates were prepared via in situ sol-gel reaction by hydrolysis tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in alkali solution. Silver nanoparticles (10–50 nm) were loaded on the PS/SiO₂ templates’ surface by chemical reduction. The morphology and structure of the PS/SiO₂/Ag particles were characterized by TEM, SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was selected as a model chemical to study the enhancement performance of substrate constructed by PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite. Results indicated that the PS/SiO₂/Ag nanocomposite prepared based on the core-shell templates showed higher SERS activity. The beneficial effect was associated with a lower specific area of core-shell structure and the larger average diameter of nanosilvers than that of the raspberry-like templates.     

Silver nanoparticles immobilized on thin film composite polyamide membrane: characterization,nanofiltration, antifouling properties

Microbial biofouling is one of the major obstacles for reaching the ultimate goal of realizing a high permeability over a prolonged period of nanofiltration operation. In this study, the hybrid nanocomposite membranes consisting of silver (Ag) nanoparticles with antibiofouling capability on microorganism and polyamide (PA) were prepared by in situ interfacial polymerization and characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The hybrid membranes were shown to possess the dramatic antibiofouling effect on Pseudomonas. In addition, Ag nanocomposite membranes had little influence on the performances of the membrane such as on water flux and salt rejection. SEM analysis results showed that all Pseudomonas were dead on the PA/Ag nanocomposite membrane, indicating the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles. This investigation offers a strong potential for possible use as a new type of antibiofouling membrane. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ATRP法在纳米SiO2表面接枝PBA及其对POM的改性

本论文研究了原子转移自由基聚合法(ATRP)在纳米二氧化硅(SiO2)表面接枝聚丙烯酸丁酯(PBA)以及其对聚甲醛（POM）进行改性。红外光谱（FTIR）、透射电镜(TEM)及凝胶渗透色谱（GPC）等测试表明：采用ATRP法可制备均匀分散的SiO2-g-PBA纳米复合粒子。力学性能、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）及透射电子显微镜（TEM）等测试表明：纳米SiO2在POM中团聚明显,而SiO2-g-PBA纳米复合粒子POM中分散均匀,导致POM/SiO2-g-PBA纳米复合材料的缺口冲击强度明显高于POM及POM/SiO复合材料,当SiO2-g-PBA纳米复合粒子的质量分数为2%时,POM/SiO2-g-PBA复合材料的冲击强度是POM的8倍多,同时拉伸强度有一定的增加。     

Silica-coated nanocomposites of magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots

Quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MPs) are of interest for biological imaging, drug targeting, and bioconjugation because of their unique optoelectronic and magnetic properties, respectively. To provide for water solubility and biocompatibility, QDs and MPs were encapsulated within a silica shell using a reverse microemulsion synthesis. The resulting SiO2/MP-QD nanocomposite particles present a unique combination of magnetic and optical properties. Their nonporous silica shell allows them to be surface modified for bioconjugation in various biomedical applications.     

Preparation and morphology of SiO2/PMMA nanohybrids by microemulsion polymerization

Polymethylmethacrylate/SiO2 nanocomposite particles were prepared through microemulsion polymerization by using the silica particles coated with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MSMA) in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Core-shell and other interesting morphology nanocomposite particles were obtained depending on the pH of the microemulsion, the amount of silanol, and the coupling agent concentration employed. Then, by combining a modified microemulsion polymerization process, i.e., an additional monomer-adding process, the solid contents of the polymer/inorganic nanocomposite microemulsion could greatly increase. Thus, by adjusting these parameters and polymerization process, it was possible to control the morphology and size of the nanocomposites.     

纳米Ag/CNTs复合材料的制备、表征及对环三亚甲基三硝胺热分解的影响

采用银镜法和水热法制备了两种纳米Ag/CNTs(碳纳米管)复合材料, 利用傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱、粉末X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、扫描电子显微镜及能量散射光谱仪(SEM-EDS)对复合物的物相、组成、形貌和结构进行分析表征, 并运用差示扫描量热法(DSC)研究了纳米Ag/CNTs 复合材料对环三亚甲基三硝胺(RDX)热分解特性的影响. 结果表明: 纳米Ag 以10-80 nm的不规则球形“粘附”于纳米CNTs 表面,分散较均匀, 水热法制得的复合物表面纳米Ag较大、且负载的Ag粒子较多; 纳米Ag/CNTs 复合材料的加入改变了RDX的热分解过程, 使原有占主导的液相分解变为二次的气相反应加剧, RDX主分解峰形发生了明显的改变; 纳米Ag/CNTs 复合材料对RDX热分解的催化主要表现为分解温度的降低.     

Effect of ZnO on the performance of Ag/SiO2 catalyst for the vapor-phase synthesis of 3-methylindole

The vapor-phase synthesis of 3-methylindole over Ag/SiO2 doped with ZnO was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, H2- TPR, NH3-TPD and TG techniques. The results indicated that ZnO promoter greatly enhanced the initial activity of the catalyst but disfavored its stability. H2-TPR and XRD results showed that the reduction peak of Ag2O shifted to higher temperature and the intensity of silver diffraction peaks was much weaker after the addition of ZnO promoter to Ag/SiO2. This indicated that there existed the interaction between Ag2O and SiO2-ZnO which promoted the silver particles dispersing on the support and inhibited the sintering of silver during the reaction. NH3-TPD and TG results revealed that the acid amounts of the catalyst and coking increased after adding ZnO to Ag/SiO2, which resulted in the deactivation of Ag/SiO2-ZnO catalyst rapidly.     

Preparation of Antibacterial Waterborne Polyurethane/silver Nanocomposite

Stable aqueous dispersions of silver (Ag) nanoparticles were prepared by reducing silver nitrate solutions with sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in the presence of waterborne polyurethane as a stabilizing agent. WPU/Ag nanocomposites were obtained after evaporating water. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) shows nanoscale Ag particles are well dispersed in WPU matrix at a lower concentration, while particles exhibit a little aggregation at a higher concentration. UV‐visible spectra, X‐ray powder diffraction, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) confirm the existence of Ag particle in WPU matrix. The WPU/Ag composite films show good antibiotic ability.     

多重射流燃烧反应制备的TiO2/ SiO2纳米复合颗粒的形态和结构

TiO₂-SiO₂ nanocomposite particles were prepared in premixed H₂ / Air flame, and the morphology and structure of these nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM and HRTEM. The morphology of SiO₂ / TiO₂ nanocomposites was different from that of pure TiO₂ or SiO₂ nanoparticles, and the chemical bond of Ti-O-Si was found in the nanocomposites indicating that the TiO₂ / SiO₂ nanocomposites were not merely a physical mixture of TiO₂ and SiO₂. TiO₂ nanocrystalline grains with sizes of 1～2 nm were homogeneously dispersed in the amorphous SiO₂ matrix when TiCl₄ and SiCl₄ were mixed at molecular level in the flame. The particle size and rutile content decreased with increasing of SiO₂ molar ratio.     

Preparation and properties of magnetic alumina microspheres with a γ-Fe_2O_3/SiO_2 core and Al_2O_3 shell

Magnetic alumina composite microspheres with γ-Fe 2 O 3 core/Al 2 O 3 shell structure were prepared by the oil column method. A dense silica layer was deposited on the surface of γ-Fe 2 O 3 particles (denoted as γ-Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ) with a desired thickness to protect the iron oxide core against acidic or high temperature conditions. γ-Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 particles with about 85 wt% Al 2 O 3 were obtained and showed to be suitable for practical applications as a magnetic catalyst or catalyst support due to their magnetic properties and pore structure. The products were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The specific surface area and pore volume of the γ-Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 composite microspheres calcined at 500 ? C were 200 m 2 /g and 0.77 cm 3 /g, respectively.     

Facile synthesis and kinetic mechanism of Ag-doped TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles for phenol degradation under visible light irradiation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Ternary Ag–TiO2–SiO2 nanocomposite photocatalysts were synthesized via a facile sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction,...     

Synthesis and self-assembly of monodisperse silver-nanocrystal-doped silica particles

A simple method based on the St?ber reaction was developed to prepare silver-nanocrystal-doped silica composite particles. The silane coupling agent N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)dropyl]ethylene diamine (TSD) incorporated Ag+ into a siloxane framework and a further chemical reducer reduced Ag+ to silver nanoparticles. TEM images showed that, in the presence of TSD, silver nanocrystals (fcc) of 2-8 nm were homogeneously doped in the silica particles, which showed a typical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak. The as-prepared Ag/SiO2 composite particles can be self-assembled into long-range ordered lattices (or photonic crystals) over large areas.