Biomimetic synthesis of HgS nanoparticles in the bovine serum albumin solution

HgS nanocrystals conjugated with protein were synthesized in aqueous solution of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) at room temperature. The obtained HgS nanoparticles with average diameter about 20–40 nm were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The quantum-confined effect of the HgS nanoparticles is confirmed by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The rescults indicate that the BSA not only induce the nucleation, but inhibit the further growth of HgS nanoparticles. The effect of Hg²⁺ on BSA and the change of BSA conformation were studied through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The possible mechanism of HgS nanoparticles growth in the BSA solution was also discussed.     

Study of interfacial charge transfer in nanosemiconductor–molecule composites

Interaction of sol–gel synthesized Ce–Ag‐codoped ZnO (CSZO) nanocrystals with (E)‐1‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐2‐styryl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole has been analysed. The synthesized nanocrystals and their composites with naphthyl styryl phenanthrimidazole have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) lifetime and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. XPS shows doped silver and cerium in Ag⁰ and Ce⁴⁺ states, respectively_. SEM and TEM images of CSZO nanoparticles show that they appear to be 3D trapezoid and cocoon‐like shape. The selected area electron diffraction pattern supports the nanocrystalline character of the synthesized material. The percentages of doping of cerium and silver in CSZO are 0.54 (at.) and 0.34 (at.), respectively. From the energy levels of the materials used in the imidazole–CSZO composite, the dominant CT direction has been analysed. Theoretical investigation shows that the binding energy and energy gap of the imidazole composites are highly dependent on the nature of the silver oxide cluster and that charge transfer in the imidazole–Ag₄O₄ composite is faster than the same in other composites. Molecular docking technique has also been carried out to understand the imidazole–DNA interactions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Layer by layer growth of silver chloride nanoparticle within the pore channels of SBA-15/SO3H mesoporous silica (AgClNP/SBA-15/SO3K): Synthesis,characterization and antibacterial properties

The growth of silver chloride nanoparticles within the pore channels of functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous was achieved by sequential dipping steps in alternating bath of potassium chloride and silver nitrate under ultrasound irradiation at pH=9. The effects of sequential dipping steps in growth of the AgCl nanoparticles have been studied. The growth and formation of AgCl nanoparticles inside the sulfonated SBA-15 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antibacterial activity of the synthesized materials was investigated against Escherichia coli (E.coli) using the conventional diffusion-disc method. The materials showed high antibacterial activity.     

A novel precursor for synthesis of metallic copper nanocrystals by thermal decomposition approach

[Bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydato)copper(II)] complex, as a novel precursor, was employed in thermal decomposition process to synthesize metallic copper nanoparticles using oleylamine (C₁₈H₃₇N) as capping agent. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The synthesized copper nanoparticles have a fcc structure with average size 20-35 nm.     

Large-scale synthesis of Ag<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>16</Subscript> nanorods and their electrochemical lithium-storage properties

Ag_1.8Mn₈O₁₆ nanorods have been synthesized on a large scale by a facile hydrothermal route. The effects of experimental conditions including reaction time and reactant concentration on the phase and morphology of the final products were investigated systematically. The products were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Electrochemical lithium-storage capabilities of the as-formed nanostructured Ag_1.8Mn₈O₁₆ were also evaluated. Interestingly, the as-formed Ag_1.8Mn₈O₁₆ nanorods possess the unique one-dimensional structure and in situ silver loading, which are beneficial features for electrochemical lithium-storage applications. The results suggest their potential use as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.     

Novel Pd-Cu/bacterial cellulose nanofibers: Preparation and excellent performance in catalytic denitrification

In this work, we describe a novel facile method to prepare long one-dimensional hybrid nanofibers by using hydrated bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BCF) as template. Palladium-copper nanoparticles were prepared in BCF by immersing BCF in a mixture solution of PdCl₂ and CuCl₂ in water and followed reduction of absorbed metallic ion inside of BCF to the metallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles using potassium borohydride. The bare BCF and the composites were characterized by a range of analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results reveal that the Pd-Cu nanoparticles were homogeneously precipitated on the BCF surface. The Pd-Cu/BCF was used as a catalyst for water denitrification, which showed that it has high catalytic activity.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and optical property of CdMoO4 nanoparticles

Microwave-assisted synthesis is a novel method used to synthesize CdMoO₄ nanoparticles in propylene glycol. The effects of reaction time and microwave power on phase, morphologies, and optical properties of CdMoO₄ nanoparticles were studied, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy. The present analyses proved that these crystalline powders were scheelite-type tetragonal structured CdMoO₄, with the crystallite size of 14-20 nm, and 4.51-4.73 eV band gaps, controlled by the synthetic conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite containing silver nanoparticles for the biomedical applications

Bovine femur bone hydroxyapatite (HA) containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles was synthesized by thermal decomposition method and subsequent reduction of silver nitrate with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of poly(vinylacetate) (PVAc). The structural, morphological, and chemical properties of the HA–Ag nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM images showed that the Ag nanoparticles with size ranging from 8 to 20 nm and were arranged at the periphery of HA crystals. Bactericidal activity of HA–Ag with different concentration of Ag nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of HA was investigated against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, non-MRSA), Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the disc diffusion susceptibility test. The HA–Ag nanoparticles showed that broad spectrum activity against non-MRSA, MRSA, and E. coli bacterial strains.     

Biomimetic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle Using Leaf Extract of Mangifera Indica and Their Antibacterial Efficacy

The aim of this study to focused on bioinspired synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a viable alternative to eradicate the existing physicochemical processes. In this context, the bioinspired AgNPs were synthesized using leaf extract of M. indica. Optimization of the experimental conditions for the rapid and high yield of AgNPs in minimum investment of time and expense have been carried out along with their antibacterial efficacy evaluated. For this reason, the variation of parameters like the concentration of the silver precursors, reducing agent, time, pH, and temperature of synthesis were realized. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. UV-Visible spectra gave surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 440 nm for AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were further confirmed the synthesis and crystalline nature of AgNPs respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observed spherical shapes of synthesized AgNPs within range 5～20 nm. The results of the current study indicate that optimization process play a pivotal role in the AgNPs synthesis and biogenic synthesized AgNPs might be used against bacterial pathogens.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cr doped CdS nanoparticles stabilized with polyvinylpyrrolidone

Undoped and Cr (2 and 4 at.%) doped CdS nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous solution by simple chemical co-precipitation method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as stabilizer. The prepared nanoparticles were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD pattern of the nanoparticles showed cubic zincblende phase with the particle size of the order of 3-4 nm, which was in good agreement with the results obtained from TEM studies. The EDAX analysis confirmed that Cd, Cr and S elements were present in the samples and the variations between the target and actual compositions were microscopic. UV-vis DRS spectra of the samples exhibited decrease in the band gap which further attests the incorporation of Cr into CdS nanoparticles. FTIR studies revealed that the undoped as well as Cr doped CdS nanoparticles were capped by polyvinylpyrrolidone.     

Synthesis and characterization of the SnS nanowires via chemical vapor deposition

Single-crystal SnS nanowires have been successfully synthesized by catalysis-assistant chemical vapor deposition. Applying Au nanoparticles which were applied on the ITO surface as the catalysator, using SnS powder and S powder as precursors and the Ar+H₂ mixed atmosphere as the shielding and carrier gas, the SnS nanowires were obtained. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were employed to characterize the as-synthesized SnS nanostructures. The room-temperature photoluminescence properties of these as-prepared SnS nanowires were presented.     

Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue with laser-induced Ag/ZnO nanoparticles

The preparation of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles conducted through the method of laser-induction is presented in this work. The Ag/ZnO nanoparticles attained from various weight percentages of added AgNO₃ relative to ZnO were applied under visible-light irradiation for evaluating the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradations of methylene blue (MB) solutions. It was shown that the catalytic behavior of Ag/ZnO nanoparticles in the visible-light range is notably improved through the Ag deposition onto ZnO nanoparticles by the method of laser-induction with a maximum effectiveness of 92% degradation. The properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by the employments of UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED).     

Nanoparticles of nickel oxide: growth and organization on zinc-substituted anionic clay matrix by one-pot route at room temperature

A room temperature nanocarving strategy is developed for the fabrication of nanoparticles of nickel oxide on zinc-substituted anionic clay matrix (Ni/ZnLDH). It is based on the growth and organization of nanoparticles of nickel oxide which occur during the structural reconstruction of the layered structure of the anionic clay in NiSO₄ aqueous solution. No organic compounds are used during the fabrication. The described material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results show that the nickel-clay nanoarchitecture consists of small nanoparticles of nickel oxide (average size 7 nm) deposited on the larger nanoparticles (average size 90 nm) of zinc-substituted clay. The optical properties of the new nickel-zinc formulation are studied by UV–Vis.     

Optical properties of monodispersed silver nanoparticles produced via reverse micelle microemulsion

Silver nanoparticles produced by the sodium borohydride reduction of silver nitrate were stabilized by means of 1-dodecanethiol providing sulfur atom. (n-Dodecyl) trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), which was used as a phase transfer agent in two-phase system involving water and toluene, played a significant role in the formation of monolayer-protected silver nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis), FT-IR spectra and fluorescence. The results indicate that the system is monodispersed and leads to the self-assembly of silver nanoparticles into 0-D quanta-dot arrays.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanophased silver tungstate

Silver tungstate (Ag₂WO₄) nanoparticles in two different morphologies are prepared by controlling the reaction kinetics of aqueous precipitation. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the silver tungstate nanoparticles are in the α-phase. SEM images show the rod-like and fiber-like morphologies of the nanoparticles with high aspect ratios. The TGA and DTA studies show the high thermal stability of the nanorods. The average crystallite sizes (20–30 nm) of the rod-like silver tungstate estimated from TEM is consistent with the XRD results     

Sensitivity of styrene oxidation reaction to the catalyst structure of silver nanoparticles

This study shows how different morphologies of silver nanoparticles affect the selective oxidation of styrene in the gas phase using oxygen as oxidant. Silver nanoparticles (nanowires and nanopolyhedra), prepared using the polyol process, were supported on α-Al₂O₃. For comparison, a conventional catalyst obtained by wet impregnation was also prepared. Phenylacetaldehyde (Phe) and styrene oxide (SO) were the main products for nanoparticles catalysts. The promotion effect on the catalytic activity of potassium and cesium on the silver nanowires catalysts was also studied. At 573 K, the styrene conversion and selectivity to styrene oxide with the silver nanowires catalyst were 57.6 and 42.5%, respectively. Silver nanopolyhedra catalyst showed 57.5% conversion and 30.8% selectivity to styrene oxide. The promotion by cesium played an important role in improving the epoxidation of styrene. The samples were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) were applied to characterize the oxygen species detected (O_β, O_γ) on the silver surface.     

Structural and spectroscopic studies of thin film of silver nanoparticles

We report the deposition of thin film of silver (Ag) nanoparticles by wet chemical method. The as-synthesized Ag nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) respectively. FESEM image indicates that the silver film prepared on the quartz substrate is smooth and dense. XRD pattern reveals the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure of silver nanoparticles. EDS spectrum indicates that samples are nearly stoichiometric. From TEM analysis, it is found that the size of high purity Ag nanoparticles is ranging from 10 to 20 nm with slight agglomeration. Absorption in UV-vis region by these nanoparticles is characterized by the features reported in the literature, namely, a possible Plasmon peak at ∼403 nm. Optical absorbance spectra analysis reveals that the Ag film has an indirect band structure with bandgap energy 3.88 eV. TGA/DTA studies revealed that a considerable weight loss occurs between 175 and 275 °C; and the reaction is exothermic.     

Compare the photocatalytic properties of nanocomposites with tandem n (AgBr)-n (Ag2CO3) and p (AgCl)-n (Ag2CO3) heterojunctions

In this work, Ag₂CO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) (as a n-type semiconductor) incorporated in mordenite zeolite (MOR) by a facile precipitation method. Silver halides, AgCl (as a p-type semiconductor) and AgBr (as a n-type semiconductor), with different weight percentage (20%, 40% and 50%) were coupled into Ag₂CO₃-MOR nanocomposite (NC) and producing a series of novel AgCl/Ag₂CO₃ (p-n heterojunction)-MOR and AgBr/Ag₂CO₃ (n-n heterojunction)-MOR NCs. The effects of silver halides on the Ag₂CO₃–MOR catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue (MB) under visible light irradiation have been investigated. The structure, composition and optical properties of NCs were investigated by UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The prepared AgX/Ag₂CO₃-MOR NCs with the optimal content of AgX (50 wt%) indicated higher photocatalytic activity than that of the Ag₂CO₃-MOR and Ag₂CO₃. The cycle experiments on the heterojuctions NCs indicated that photocatalytic stability of AgBr/Ag₂CO₃-MOR NC was more than AgCl/Ag₂CO₃-MOR NC in all cycles. On the basis of the experimental results, a possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity and photoinduced stability of silver compounds was proposed.     

Structural, optical and electrical characterization of antimony-substituted tin oxide nanoparticles

Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanostructures were prepared using chemical precipitation technique starting from SnCl₂, SbCl₃ as precursor compounds. The antimony composition was varied from 5 to 20 wt%. The lower resistance was observed at composition of Sn:95 and Sb:05, when compared with undoped and higher doping concentration of antimony. The average crystalline size of undoped and doped tin oxide was calculated from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and found to be in the range of 30-11 nm and it was further confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the nanoparticles agglomerates forming spherical-shaped particles of few hundreds nanometers. The samples were further analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrical resistance measurements.     

Synthesis of dendritic silver nanostructures by means of ultrasonic irradiation

In this paper, a simple and effective route for the synthesis of silver dendritic nanostructures by means of ultrasonic irradiation has been developed. Well-defined silver dendritic nanostructures were obtained by sonicating the aqueous solution of 0.04 mol/L silver nitrate with 4.0 mol/L isopropanol as reducing agent and 0.01 mol/L PEG400 as disperser for 2 h. The effects of the irradiation time, the concentration of Ag⁺ and the molar ratio of PEG to AgNO₃ on the morphology of silver nanostructures were discussed. The structures of the obtained samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and the chemical composition of the dendrites was examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS).