Highly size- and shape-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles via a templated Tollens reaction

A mild, facile one-step synthetic strategy for the preparation of size- and shape-controlled silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is presented. The high degree of size- and shape-control of these AgNPs is achieved by the use of triazole sugar ligands scaffolded by a central resorcinol ether core. Both the triazoles and the resorcinol ether core mediate the nucleation, growth, and passivation phases of the preparation of AgNP in the presence of the Tollens reagent as the silver source. Kinetic and (1)H NMR titration data is presented describing the nature of the interactions between the Tollens reagent and these ligands.     

Kinetic sorption study of Cerium (IV) on magnetite nanoparticles

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) and humic acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/HA) were prepared by co-precipitation method for cerium ions removal from aqueous solution. The success of preparation in nanoscale was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM image shows that the size of Fe₃O₄ is around 15 nm and the presence of humic acid reduces the magnetite aggregation and stabilizes the magnetite suspension. Adsorption studies with respect to various process variables such as contact time, pH, and temperature were investigated by batch technique. The sorption kinetics and isotherms of Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/HA for Ce (IV) ions show that the sorption kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm models for both sorbents. The maximum capacities (Q_max) of Ce (IV) onto Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/HA were found to be 160 and 280 mg/g, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG^o, ΔH^o and ΔS^o) were calculated, and the results revealed that the sorption process of Ce (IV) ions on both Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄/HA are spontaneous, endothermic for Fe₃O₄ and exothermic for Fe₃O₄/HA.     

Localized surface plasmon resonance optical characteristics for hydrogen peroxide using polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silver nanoparticles

In this study, monitoring of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) optical characteristics and dispersion condition change for hydrogen peroxide using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silver nanoparticles (NPs) was described. PVP-coated silver NPs exhibit the specific light absorption in visible region. Hence, using LSPR optical characteristics, several applications such as optoelectronics, food control and life science can be realized. In addition, by introducing hydrogen peroxide solution into the PVP-coated silver NP dispersion, LSPR optical characteristics were drastically changed. From these LSPR optical characteristic changes of PVP-coated silver NPs for hydrogen peroxide, in this study, observation of dispersion kinetics of PVP-coated silver NPs was carried out. As a result, aggregation which is attributed by the radical polymerization of PVP layer could be observed by introduction of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, silver cluster structure which is included in the PVP layer was stably contained in the aggregated PVP layer. From these optical characteristic change and dispersion kinetics, this PVP-coated silver NPs have great potential for application to biosensing applications as a color indicator.     

Layer-by-layer deposition of green synthesised silver nanoparticles on polyester air filters and its antimicrobial activity

Silver nanoparticles stabilised with anionic polymeric polyelectrolytes were successfully synthesised by high-energy UV reduction. Three types of polyelectrolytes were used including poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(4-styrenesulphonic acid-co-maleic acid) (CoPSS). The formation of the prepared solutions exhibited surface plasmon resonance at the wavelength of 475, 730 and 408 nm by using PMA, PAA and CoPSS as the stabilising agents. UV–visible spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and zeta potential analyser were employed to characterise the formation of the prepared solutions. The silver nanoparticles stabilised with anionic polyelectrolytes were immobilised on polyester air filters using a layer-by-layer technique. This is the sequential dipping of polyester air filters in a dilute solution of cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and anionic polymeric polyelectrolytes capped silver. The surface topography of the polyester air filters were measured by field emission scanning electron microscope. Results showed that silver nanoparticles had the highest surface coverage on the polyester air filters probably because it is a good bonding candidate and insures strong film growth. The multilayers polyester air filters coated silver nanoparticles were tested against the gram positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. The deposition of silver nanoparticles onto the polyester air filters resulted in 92.18%, 84.32% and 71.19% of bacteria removal using PMA, PAA and CoPSS as the stabilising agent.     

Optical and morphological characterisation of a silver nanoparticle/fluorescent poly(phenylenethynylene) composite for optical biosensors

Thiol silver nanoparticles prepared by the phase transfer method have been mixed with a fluorescent poly(phenylenethynylene) sequenced with dithioester-diethylsulfide moieties in order to develop a nanocomposite for its possible application in optical biosensors for the detection and attack of fungi such as Paecilomyces variotii. Films have been prepared by dipping technique and characterized by AFM, XPS, UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Optical Absorption properties of the nanocomposite are similar to those of the polymer with an absorption tail in the visible which supports the presence of silver nanoparticles. Despite the lack of fluorescence of the nanoparticles, the composite emits in the yellow green region and the intensity of the fluorescence of the nanocomposite film decreases after the immersion in the culture thus permitting the detection of the fungus by this technique. The fungus can be deposited on films of both the polymer and nanocomposite, nevertheless only in the latter case, an attack on mycelium is observed revealing the fungicidal effect of silver nanoparticles in the nanocomposite.     

Interaction of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) with bacterial extracellular proteins (ECPs) and its adsorption isotherms and kinetics

Indiscriminate and increased use of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in consumer products leads to the release of it into the environment. The fate and transport of SNPs in environment remains unknown. We have studied the interaction of SNPs with extracellular protein (ECP) produced by two environmental bacterial species and the adsorption behavior in aqueous solutions. The effect of pH and salt concentrations on the adsorption was also investigated. The adsorption process was found to be dependent on surface charge (zeta potential). The capping of SNPs by ECP was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption of ECP on SNPs was analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich models, suggesting that the equilibrium adsorption data fitted well with Freundlich model. The equilibrium adsorption data were modeled using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations. The results indicated that pseudo-second-order kinetic equation would better describe the adsorption kinetics. The capping was stable at environmental pH and salt concentration. The destabilization of nanoparticles was observed at alkaline pH. The study suggests that the stabilization of nanoparticles in the environment might lead to the accumulation and transport of nanomaterials in the environment, and ultimately destabilizes the functioning of the ecosystem.     

Rapid biologically one-step synthesis of stable bioactive silver nanoparticles using Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) leaf extract and their antimicrobial activities

Synthesis of nanoparticles by using natural products as reducing and stabilizing agents have been widely used in various fields especially medicine, primarily because of its lower cost, simplicity, and less toxic byproducts. In the present work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were rapidly synthesized from silver nitrate in a green one-step synthesis by the aqueous extracts of Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) leaf as a reducing and stabilizing agent simultaneously. The effects of pH, extract quantity, and silver salt concentration were investigated to determine the optimum conditions of green synthesis of Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized by different techniques including UV–Visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The Ag NPs showed surface plasmon resonance centered at 415?nm. The XRD pattern and TEM analysis revealed spherical, stable, and uniform Ag NPs with the average particle size of about 12?nm. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed that mainly hydroxyl functional groups, as both the reducing and stabilizing agent are responsible for silver nanoparticles synthesis. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized Ag NPs showed a significant microbicidal effect on all clinical isolates especially, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. These results suggest that such stable and uniform Ag NPs can be synthesized rapidly and simply for clinical as well as pharmaceutical applications.     

Annealing of polymer films with embedded silver nanoparticles: Effect on optical properties

The influence of annealing time and of the silver over polymer ratio on the optical properties of the silver nanoparticles embedded in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix has been analyzed by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the visible/near-infrared spectral domains. The complex refractive index shows a localized absorption near 420 nm which can be attributed to localized surface plasmons. An atomic force microscopy topographic analysis shows that the particles were nearly spherical with an average size less than 20 nm, as confirmed by optical transmission measurements with polarized light. The size of the particles and their number respectively decreased and increased as the annealing time of the film increased, yielding a plasmon absorption band whose intensity is correlated to the silver nanoparticles density, estimated from their nearest-neighbour distance.     

Incorporation of silver nanoparticles coated with mercaptosuccinic acid/poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer into epoxy for enhancement of dielectric properties

A novel route to the synthesis of polymer-coated silver nanoparticles (NPs) was developed on the basis of the reduction of Tollens' reagent using mercaptosuccinic acid/poly(ethylene glycol) (MSA/PEG) copolymer as reducing agent and stabilizer simultaneously. The average size of the polymer-coated silver NPs could be controlled in a wide range from 10 to 120 nm by changing the MSA/PEG molar ratio. These surface-coated silver NPs can be uniformly dispersed in polar solvent and a homogeneous silver NPs/acetone dispersion has been prepared. Silver–epoxy nanocomposites have been developed by incorporating these silver NPs into epoxy. The nanocomposites with silver volume content of 25% showed a more than 3000% increase in dielectric constant as compared to neat matrix and a relatively low dielectric loss below 0.05, which meets the main requirement for embedded decoupling capacitors. Moreover, thermal properties of the silver–epoxy nanocomposites were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The initial decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature were elevated with the increase of silver content, which exhibit great thermal stability and facilitate electrical applications requiring higher heat-resistance.     

Determination of cyanide in wastewaters using modified glassy carbon electrode with immobilized silver hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles on multiwall carbon nanotube

The sensitive determination of cyanide in wastewaters using modified GC electrode with silver hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (SHFNPs) immobilized on multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was reported. The immobilization of SHFNPs on MWCNT was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM image showed that the SHFNPs retained the spherical morphology after immobilized on MWCNT. The size of SHFNPs was examined around 27 nm. The GC/MWCNT-SHFNPs was used for the determination of cyanide in borax buffer (BB) solution (pH 8.0). Using square wave voltammetry, the current response of cyanide increases linearly while increasing its concentration from 40.0 nM to 150.0 μM and a detection limit was found to be 8.3 nM (S/N=3). The present modified electrode was also successfully used for the determination of 5.0 μM cyanide in the presence of common contaminants at levels presenting in industrial wastewaters. The practical application of the present modified electrode was demonstrated by measuring the concentration of cyanide in industrial wastewater samples. Moreover, the studied sensor exhibited high sensitivity, good reproducibility and long-term stability.     

Thermal conductivity and heat capacity of solid silver bromide (AgBr) under pressure

The thermal conductivity, , and the heat capacity per unit volume, c _p , have been measured for solid silver bromide (AgBr) using the transient hot-wire method. Measurements were made at temperatures in the range 100–400 K and at pressures up to 2 GPa. c _p was found to be independent of temperature and pressure over these ranges. of AgBr was found to be similar to that of AgCl, which was measured previously. For AgBr, only acoustic phonons needed to be taken into account up to 340 K, but optic phonons probably carried some heat at higher temperatures. The Leibfried-Schlömann (LS) formula could describe the ratio (AgCl)/(AgBr), but not the ratio (1 GPa)/(0) for either substance. An empirical modification of the LS formula could describe the latter ratios but not the former. Further theoretical developments are required for understanding of (P) for even such relatively simple substances as AgCl and AgBr.     

Removal of Cu(II) ions by activated poplar sawdust (Samsun clone) from aqueous solutions

In this work, adsorption of Cu(II) ions on sawdust (SD) and activated sawdust (ASD) has been studied by using batch adsorption techniques. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined to be a function of the pH, initial Cu(II) concentration, and adsorbent dosage. The equilibrium nature of Cu(II) adsorption has been described by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model both sawdust and activated sawdust. The equilibrium capacity of sawdust and activated sawdust were 5.432 and 13.495 mg copper per g adsorbent, respectively at room temperature and natural pH. The maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at the maximum zeta potential value that -74.5 mV (pH 5) for activated sawdust and at -48.4 mV (pH 4) for sawdust. It was observed that activated sawdust was a suitable adsorbent than sawdust for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions.     

Poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) nanoparticles prepared by electrospraying technique for docetaxel delivery in ovarian cancer induced mice

Objective: Ovarian cancer is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Docetaxel (DTX) is one of the most notable cytotoxic agents for treatment of ovarian cancer. However, its side effects proposed considerable problems to the patients.

Significance: Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (Ecoflex^®), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, were prepared for the first time by the upgradeable electrospraying technique.

Methods: The formulation and procedure variables were optimized using Design Expert software, and effect of each variable on particle size, particle size distribution, drug entrapment efficiency, and drug release of the NPs were evaluated. Then, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, X-ray diffraction pattern, and morphological characteristics of the optimized NPs were evaluated. Finally, in vivo efficacy of the DTX-loaded NPs was evaluated on tumor bearing nude mice.

Results: The optimum condition for production of NPs included voltage of 20?kV, 12?cm distance between electrodes, feeding rate of 1?mL/hr, polymer to drug ratio of 3:1, 1 w/v% of Pluronic-F127 and dichloromethane to dimethyl formamide ratio of 2.7:1. Fluorescent microscopy test showed the NPs were successfully up-taken by ovarian cancer cells. In vitro cytotoxicity test confirmed no cytotoxic effect caused by blank NPs, while cell viability of the DTX loaded NPs was significantly lower than the free DTX (p?p?Conclusion: The Ecoflex^® NPs could potentially provide a suitable alternative for currently available formulations of DTX.     

纳米SiO2对聚偏氟乙烯超滤膜的影响研究

聚偏氟乙烯铸膜液中可以加入纳米无机粒子———SiO2,制成纳米无机-有机复合膜.复合膜较纯聚偏氟乙烯超滤膜的性能有一些改善,如果纳米SiO2量合适,膜的水通量增加而截留率不变.纳米SiO2可以大大增加铸膜液的黏度,使成膜更容易.同时纳米SiO2对成膜过程也有影响,从相图看,改变了双节点的位置,对非溶剂的容纳能力降低;从DSC测试曲线得知复合膜中PVDF的结晶度增加,所以说纳米SiO2对成膜产生了延时作用.     

Preparation of CuS nanoparticles embedded in poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibre via electrospinning

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/CuS composite nanofibres were successfully prepared by electrospinning technique and gas-solid reaction. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that the average diameter of PVA/CuS fibres was about 150–200 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proved that a majority of CuS nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 15–25 nm are incorporated in the PVA fibres. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and electron diffraction pattern also revealed the forming of CuS crystal structure in the PVA fibres.     

Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions using titanate nanotubes prepared via hydrothermal method

Titanate nanotubes (TNs) with specific surface areas of 272.31 m(2)g(-1) and pore volumes of 1.264 cm(3)g(-1) were synthesized by alkaline hydrothermal method. The TNs were investigated as adsorbents for the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. The FT-IR analysis indicated that Pb(II) and Cd(II) adsorption were mainly ascribed to the hydroxyl groups in the TNs. Batch experiments were conducted by varying contact time, pH and adsorbent dosage. It was shown that the initial uptake of each metal ion was very fast in the first 5 min, and adsorption equilibrium was reached after 180 min. The adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) were found to be maximum at pH in the range of 5.0-6.0. The adsorption kinetics of both metal ions followed the pseudo-second-order model. Equilibrium data were best fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Pb(II) and Cd(II) were determined to be 520.83 and 238.61 mg g(-1), respectively. Moreover, more than 80% of Pb(II) and 85% of Cd(II) adsorbed onto TNs can be desorbed with 0.1M HCl after 3h. Thus, TNs were considered to be effective and promising materials for the removal of both Pb(II) and Cd(II) from wastewater.     

Poly(amidoamine)-G5 dendrimers/noble metal gold hybrid nanoparticles prepared by γ-ray irradiation

In the absence of a chemical reductant and other protective reagents, noble metal gold hybrid nanoparticles are successfully prepared by ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation using fifth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer with surface amine-terminated group as polymeric template. The zerovalent gold is of spherical structure and the particle size is on nanometer scale range of 3-12 nm. The size distribution of gold nanoparticles displays multidispersity. The results of FTIR show that interactions between dendrimer template and gold nanoparticle exist in intra-molecule and inter-molecule of fifth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer.     

One-step preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)-protected Pt nanoparticles through a heat-treatment method

A heat-treatment method for the preparation of well-stable, polymer-protected Pt nanoparticles in the range of 2-7 nm in diameter is demonstrated. The formation of Pt nanoparticles occurs in a single step process, carried out by heating an aqueous solution containing a poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and H₂PtCl₆, with the use of PVA to serve as both a reducing reagent and a protective reagent. The Pt nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and the Pt nanoparticle formation process was further investigated by in situ UV-vis experiment.     

Influence of electrolyte and poloxamer 188 on the aggregation kinetics of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have attracted increasing attention as colloidal drug carriers due to theirs advantages including low toxicity, drug targeting and modified release. However, undesired particle aggregation in aqueous dispersions would limit the applicability of SLNs for drug delivery. The purpose of the present article is to investigate the aggregation behavior of the SLNs and quantitatively evaluate how the concentration of NaCl and F68 affect the stability of the SLNs. The early stage aggregation kinetics of the SLNs was investigated over a wide range of NaCl concentrations by employing dynamic light scattering (DLS). In the presence of the NaCl, aggregation kinetics of the SLNs exhibited reaction-limited (slow) and diffusion-limited (fast) regimes. These results indicated that the aggregation behavior of these new nanoparticles can be well explained by the classical Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of SLNs containing 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 2.0%, and 4.0% of Poloxamer 188 (F68) was 416, 328, 519, 607, and 602?mM, respectively, suggesting that the F68 influences the aggregation behavior of the SLNs. F68 made the SLNs more sensitive to the electrolyte when its concentration is low (0.1%), the bush of the polymer F68 has a bridging effect that accelerated the aggregation process of the SLNs. However, at the high concentration, F68 can provide the steric repulsion to the nanoparticles, which effectively stabilized the SLNs dispersions.