Solvothermal Preparation of Mn3O4 Nanoparticles and Effect of Temperature on Particle Size

Hausmannite Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully prepared via a facile one-step solvothermal route with Mn(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O as manganese source in the mixed solvent of acetone and water. Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) were used to characterize Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles. It was found that the particle size could be tailored by varying the synthesis temperature. On the whole, the particle size becomes larger with the rising of solvothermal reaction temperature. But there is no linear relation between them. According to the different temperatures(60-140℃), the average particle size is from about 9 nm to 15 nm. Magnetic properties of Mn₃O₄ samples prepared at 60, 100 and 140℃ were studied via a superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID), respectively.     

钯纳米颗粒形貌控制合成及其SPR／SERS性质

在水溶液中分别以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（CTAB）和CTAB／柠檬酸钠混合剂为包覆剂合成钯纳米颗粒,并研究其形貌演变．钯纳米颗粒在成核阶段会形成具有不同孪晶结构的晶核,在生长阶段又会选择性的放大某一组晶面,这两个因素导致了钯纳米颗粒形貌的多样性．在合成中CTAB既会影响钯纳米颗粒的成核,也会影响颗粒晶面的选择性生长．通过改变CTAB和还原剂的量可以调控钯纳米颗粒的形貌．溶液中CTAB和还原剂浓度的改变,非常明显地影响合成产物中不同形貌钯纳米颗粒的产率．通过向溶液中引入柠檬酸离子调控纳米颗粒的成核与生长过程,首次合成出了星状钯二十面体和截面为五角星形的钯纳米棒．这些不同形貌的钯纳米颗粒有着不同的表面等离子体共振和表面增强拉曼散射性质．     

Green chemistry-mediated synthesis of nanostructures of afterglow phosphor

Various nanostructures of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (SAC) afterglow phosphor were prepared in a single-step reaction using a green chemistry-mediated modified combustion process. The evolution of hazardous NxOx gases during the customary combustion reaction was completely eliminated by employing an innovative complex formation route. Another fascinating feature of the process was that, a slight change in the processing conditions ensured the synthesis of either nanoparticles or nanowires. The photoluminescence spectrum of nanophosphor showed a slight blue shift in emission (∼511 nm) as compared to the bulk phosphor (∼520 nm). The afterglow (decay) profiles of SAC nanoparticles, nanowires and bulk phosphor were compared. The chemistry underlying the nanostructure synthesis and the probable afterglow mechanism were discussed.     

Synthesis of Ca-P nanoparticles and fabrication of Ca-P/PHBV nanocomposite microspheres for bone tissue engineering applications

As the first step in producing totally bioresorbable osteoconductive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering using the selective laser sintering technology, bioresorbable nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) similar in composition to β-tricalcium phosphate were synthesized and Ca-P nanoparticle filled poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microspheres were fabricated. The pH of the chemical reaction for Ca-P particle synthesis was found to have significant effects on the morphology and chemical composition of Ca-P precipitated. Ca-P particles produced at the pH of 10.0-11.0 were amorphous, had a Ca:P molar ratio of about 1.5, were spherical in shape and had sizes in the range of 10-30 nm. The Ca-P particles were used to form Ca-P nanocomposite microspheres through a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation process. Ca-P nanoparticles were mostly encapsulated inside the microspheres and some Ca-P nanoparticles were superficially embedded on the microspheres. The Ca-P/PHBV microspheres had an average diameter of about 48 μm which is suitable for selective laser sintering for constructing osteoconductive composite scaffolds.     

Preparation and antibacterial effect of silver-hydroxyapatite/titania nanocomposite thin film on titanium

The composite which contains Ag⁺ and nanosized hydroxyapatite with TiO₂ was deposited onto titanium by dipping method. The morphology, chemical components and structures of the thin film were characterized by XRD, scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were utilized to test the antibacterial effect. XRD results demonstrated that the films have characteristic diffraction peaks of pure HA. EDX results showed that the deposited films consisted of Ca, P, Ti, O and Ag, all of which distribute uniformly. With regard to the antibacterial effect, 98% of S. aureus and more than 99% of E. coli were killed after 24 h incubation and pictures of SEM showed obviously fewer cells on the surface with coating.     

Magnetic and relaxometric properties of polyethylenimine-coated superparamagnetic MRI contrast agents

Novel systems to be employed as superparamagnetic contrast agents (CA) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been synthesized. These compounds are composed of an iron oxide magnetic core coated by polyethylenimine (PEI) or carboxylated polyethylenimine (PEI-COOH). The aim of the present work was to prepare and study new nanostructured systems (with better or at least comparable relaxivities, R₁ and R₂, with respect to the commercial ones) with controlled, almost monodisperse average dimensions and shape, as candidates for molecular targeting. By means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements we determined the average diameter, of the order of 200 nm, and the shape of the particles. The superparamagnetic behavior was assessed by SQUID measurements. From X-ray data the estimated average diameters of the magnetic cores were found to be 5.8 nm for PEI-COOH60 and 20 nm for the compound named PEI25. By NMR-dispersion (NMRD), we found that PEI-COOH60 presents R₁ and R₂ relaxivities slightly lower than Endorem^®. The experimental results suggest that these novel compounds can be used as MRI CA.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron-based alloy nanoparticles for magnetorheological fluids

The borohydride reduction method was used to synthesize the Fe-based alloy nanoparticles in an aqueous medium for MR fluids. The effect of ethanol content in the reaction medium on the synthesis of Fe–Co–B nanoparticles was studied first. With increasing the ethanol content from 0 to 40 vol%, the average diameters of Fe–Co–B nanoparticles were decreased from 170 to 35 nm. The possible mechanism for the effect of ethanol has been proposed. Among the four types of Fe-based alloys particles synthesized in this work, Fe–B had the highest magnetization saturation M_s, while M_s decreased in an order of Fe–B>Fe–Co–B>Fe–Cr–B>Fe–Ni–B. A magnetic field of 3000 Oe was able to increase M_s by about 5–6% for each type of iron-based alloy. Under a magnetic field, chain structures of nanoparticles were always formed. When a strong magnetic field such as 3000 Oe was applied, the particles were “squeezed” into chains.     

Characterization of gold]PMMA hybrid nanomaterials synthesized by hard X-ray synchrotron radiation

In this study, new types of hybrid gold poly（methyl methacrylate） （PMMA） nanomaterials are synthesized. Both PMMA spheres coated with gold nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles coated with PMMA can be synthesized using different ratios of HAuCl4 and MMA precursors, by exposing the mixtures to hard X-ray synchrotron radiation without the use of a reducing agent. According to the photochemical mechanism, gold nanoparticles will precipitate from a solution of HAuCl4 on exposure to synchrotron radiation, followed by the synthesis of PMMA by the polymerization of MMA monomers. These reactions can result in the formation of two different types of new hybrid nanomaterials. When a 1：1 volume ratio of HAuCI4 to MMA is used, we obtain PMMA spheres coated with gold nanoparticles. When a 10：1 ratio of HAuCl4 and MMA is used, we obtain gold nanoparticles coated with PMMA. The hybrid gold/PMMA nanostructures are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, dynamic-light scattering analysis, gel permeation chromatography and Raman spectroscopy. The hybrid nanomaterials have potential application in the fields of biosensors and drug delivery.     

Interplay between amphiphilic peptides and nanoparticles for selective membrane destabilization and antimicrobial effects

As a result of an increasing number of bacteria developing resistance against antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attracting significant interest, particularly in relation to identification of peptides displaying potent but selective effects. Much less focus has been placed on delivery systems for AMPs, despite AMPs suffering from delivery challenges related to their size, cationicity, and amphiphilicity. Inorganic nanoparticles may provide opportunities for controlling peptide release, reducing infection-related AMP degradation, or increasing bioavailability. Numerous such nanomaterials display potent and triggerable antimicrobial effects on their own. When combined with AMPs, combinatorial and synergistic effects in relation to the behavior of such mixed systems as antimicrobials have been observed. The mechanistic origin of these effects are poorly understood that at present, however, precluding rational design of mixed nanoparticle antimicrobials/AMPs and nanoparticulate delivery systems for AMPs. Here, the area of membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects of inorganic nanomaterials are briefly outlined, in combination with AMPs.     

Mixed-phase Mesoporous TiO2 Film for High Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells

Mesoporous scaffold structures have played great roles in halide perovskite solar cells(PSCs),due to the excellent photovoltaic performance and commercial perspective of mesoporous PSCs.Here,we reported a mixed-phase TiO2 mesoporous film as an efficient electron transport layer(ETL)for mesoporous perovskite solar cells.Due to the improved crystal phase,fihn thickness and nanopartMe size of TiO2 layer,which were controlled by varying the one-step hydrothermal reaction time and annealing time,the PSCs exhibited an outstanding short circuit photocurrent density of 25.27 mA/cm^2,and a maximum power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 19.87%.It is found that the ultra-high Jsc attributes to the excellent film quality,light capturing and excellent electron transport ability of mixed-phase TiO2 mesoporous film.The results indicate that mix-phase mesoporous metal oxide fihns could be a promising candidate for producing effective ETLs and high efficiency PSCs.