Self-aggregates of deoxycholic acid-modified chitosan as a novel carrier of adriamycin

A novel and simple method for delivery of adriamycin (ADR) was developed using self-aggregates of deoxycholic acid-modified chitosan. Deoxycholic acid was covalently conjugated to chitosan via EDC-mediated reaction to generate self-aggregated chitosan nanoparticles. ADR was physically entrapped inside the self-aggregates and the characteristics of ADR-loaded chitosan self-aggregates were analyzed by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The maximum amount of entrapped ADR reached 16.5 wt% of chitosan self-aggregates, suggesting a loading efficiency of 49.6 wt%. The size of ADR-loaded self-aggregates increased with increasing the loading content of ADR. AFM images showed spherical shape of ADR-loaded self-aggregates, and ADR was slowly released from chitosan self-aggregates in PBS solution (pH 7.2). Received: 24 April 2000/Accepted: 11 July 2000     

Nanoparticle transport effect on magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection of electrically conductive nanofluids in micro-annuli with temperature-dependent thermophysical properties

This is a numerical investigation of nanoparticle transport effect on magnetohydrodynamic mixed convective heat transfer of electrically conductive nanofluids in micro-annuli with temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. The modified Buongiorno's non-homogeneous model is applied for the nanoparticle-fluid suspension to simulate the migration of nanoparticles into the base fluid, originating from the thermophoresis (nanoparticle migration because of temperature gradient) and Brownian motion (nanoparticle slip velocity because of concentration gradient). Due to surface roughness at the solid–fluid interface in micro-annuli, the wall surfaces are subjected to a linear slip condition to assess the non-equilibrium region near the interface. The fluid flow has been assumed to be fully developed, and the governing equations including continuity, momentum, energy, and nanoparticle transport equation are reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations, before they have been solved numerically. The results are presented with and without considering the dependency of thermophysical properties upon the temperature. It is indicated that ignoring the temperature dependency of thermophysical properties does not significantly affect the flow fields and heat transfer behavior of nanofluids, but it changes the relative magnitudes. Furthermore, in the presence of magnetic field, smaller nanoparticles are more appropriate than larger ones.     

The numerical investigation of heat transfer and pressure drop of turbulent flow in a triangular microchannel

In this presentation, the flow and heat transfer inside a microchannel with a triangular section, have been numerically simulated. In this three-dimensional simulation, the flow has been considered turbulent. In order to increase the heat transfer of the channel walls, the semi-truncated and semi-attached ribs have been placed inside the channel and the effect of forms and numbers of ribs has been studied. In this research, the base fluid is Water and the effect of volume fraction of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the amount of heat transfer and physics of flow have been investigated. The presented results are including of the distribution of Nusselt number in the channel, friction coefficient and Performance Evaluation Criterion of each different arrangement. The results indicate that, the ribs affect the physics of flow and their influence is absolutely related to Reynolds number of flow. Also, the investigation of the used semi-truncated and semi-attached ribs in Reynolds number indicates that, although heat transfer increases, but more pressure drop arises. Therefore, in this method, in order to improve the heat transfer from the walls of microchannel on the constant heat flux, using the pump is demanded.     

Integrative filtration research and sustainable nanotechnology

With the wide applications of nanomaterials in an array of industries,more concerns are being raised about the occupational health and safety of nanoparticles in the workplace,and implications of nanotechnology on the environment and living systems.Studies on environmental,health and safety(EHS) issues of nanomaterials play a significant role in public acceptance,and eventual sustainability,of nanotechnology. We present research results on three aspects of the EHS studies:characterization and measurement of nanoparticles,nanoparticle emission and exposure at workplaces,and control and abatement of nanoparticle release using filtration technology.Measurement of nanoparticle agglomerates using a newly developed instrument,the Universal Nanoparticle Analyzer,is discussed.Nanoparticle emission and exposure measurement results for carbon nanotubes in the manufacture of nanocomposites and for silicon nanoparticles in their production at a pilot scale facility are presented.Filtration of nanoparticles and nanoparticle agglomerates are also studied.     

不同银膜粒径对单壁碳纳米管SERS谱的影响

利用化学沉积法和溶胶法制备了粒径在20～100nm范围内不同的表面增强纳米结构活性银膜,系统地研究了单壁碳纳米管（SWCNT）的表面增强拉曼光谱（SERS）的G—band和D—band、比较玻璃和石英两种不同基片上的结果发现,单壁碳管的SERS谱随银膜粒径的变化有相同的变化趋势,G-band峰移对20～100nm范围内活性银膜粒径的差异不敏感,表明该波段所对应的碳管六元环本征振动比较稳定,与界面的化学相互作用较弱．D—band的峰形随基片和活性银膜粒径不同均有改变,且随着粒径变小,高频振动贡献有增大的趋势,表明无序碳与活性银膜间存在很强的相互作用。     

TiOx/SiO2复合载体上高分散Au催化剂的CO氧化性能

负载型Au催化剂中金与载体间存在相互作用,载体性质能够影响Au纳米颗粒分散度及稳定性.本文通过表面溶胶-凝胶(SSG)法制备了TiO_x/SiO₂复合载体,以期增加氧化物载体表面配位不饱和度从而使其具有较高的金属分散性,并利用低能离子散射(LEIS)谱、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)及N₂物理吸附(BET)等手段对载体及催化剂进行表征分析.实验表明TiO_x/SiO₂复合载体表面TiO_x分散性良好,没有形成明显的TiO₂晶相,且与SiO₂间形成Ti―O―Si键.与Au/TiO₂相比, Au/TiO_x/SiO₂催化剂中Au纳米颗粒的分散性更好,因而CO氧化活性显著提高. TiO_x/SiO₂复合载体上的TiO₂膜是Au的主要表面键合位,导致Au与载体间相互作用增强,从而使得Au纳米颗粒抗烧结能力提高,同时催化剂反应稳定性得到改善.     

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles ring templated by plasmid DNA

Silver nanoparticles ring was successfully fabricated by electrostatic assembling 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) capped silver nanoparticles on predefined extended circular plasmid pBR322 DNA. The silver nanoparticles ring which was about 1.5 μm in length, and about 2.2 nm in height can be obtained by adjusting the reaction time. The normal Raman scattering spectra reveal that the 4-ATP has contacted with the silver nanoparticles by forming a strong Ag-S bond. The AFM data show that the assembly of 4-ATP capped silver nanoparticles on DNA is ordered.     

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cells from nanoparticle precursors

A non-vacuum process for Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) thin film solar cells from nanoparticle precursors was described in this work. CIGS nanoparticle precursors was prepared by a low temperature colloidal route by reacting the starting materials (CuI, InI₃, GaI₃ and Na₂Se) in organic solvents, by which fine CIGS nanoparticles of about 15 nm in diameter were obtained. The nanoparticle precursors were then deposited onto Mo/glass substrate by the doctor blade technique. After heat treating the CIGS/Mo/glass layers in Se gas atmosphere, a complete solar cell structure was fabricated by depositing the other layers including CdS buffer layer, ZnO window layer and Al electrodes by conventional methods. The resultant solar cell showed a conversion efficiency of 0.5%.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell europium(III)-silica nanoparticles

Luminescent core-shell europium(III)-silica nanoparticles were prepared using europium(III) chelate core structure and polyvinylpyrrolidone synthesis strategy for silica shell. Europium(III):naphtoyltrifluoroacetone:trioctylphosphineoxide complex was spontaneously agglomerated from organic solvent to water. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was adsorbed onto the core structure and stable silica shell was synthesized using tetraethylorthosilicate. Nanosized particles with a diameter of 71 ± 5 nm and 11 nm shell thickness were obtained with fluorescence decay rate of 517 μs and excitation and emission wavelengths of 334 and 614 nm, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles: application to textiles as UV-absorbers

We report the synthesis and characterization of nanosized zinc oxide particles and their application on cotton and wool fabrics for UV shielding. The nanoparticles were produced in different conditions of temperature (90 or 150 °C) and reacting medium (water or 1,2-ethanediol). A high temperature was necessary to obtain small monodispersed particles. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize the nanoparticles composition, their shape, size and crystallinity. The specific surface area of the dry powders was also determined. ZnO nanoparticles were then applied to cotton and wool samples to impart sunscreen activity to the treated textiles. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed through UV–Vis spectrophotometry and the calculation of the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Physical tests (tensile strength and elongation) were performed on the fabrics before and after the treatment with ZnO nanoparticles.