Synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals stabilized by polyoxometalates

A novel and facile chemical synthesis of highly faceted multiply twinned gold nanocrystals is reported. The gold nanocrystals are hexagonal in transmission electron microscopy and icosahedral in scanning electron microscopy. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA), which was previously reduced, serves as a reductant and stabilizer for the synthesis of gold nanocrystals. The PTA-gold nanocomposites are quite stable in aqueous solutions, and electrochemically active towards the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Synthesis and characterization of stable Co and Cd doped nickel hydroxide nanoparticles for electrochemical applications

The present paper describes the physical-chemical characterization and electrochemical behavior of a new nanomaterial formed by the addition of cadmium and cobalt atoms into the structure of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles, these ones synthesized by an easy sonochemical method. Particles of about 5 nm diameter were obtained and characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Different nickel hydroxide nanoparticles were immobilized onto transparent conducting substrates by using electrostatic layer-by-layer providing thin films at the nanoscale and the electrochemical behavior was investigated. The formation of a mixed hydroxide was corroborated by observation of very interesting properties as redox potential shifting to less positive potentials and high stability when submitted to long electrochemical cycling or high times of ultrasonic synthesis, suggesting practical applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultrasound promoted greener synthesis of 2-(3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-phenylthiazoles

A rapid and cleaner procedure for the synthesis of a series of 2-(3,5-diaryl-45-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-phenylthiazoles under ultrasonic irradiation in ethanol is described. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A novel route to the synthesis of mesoporous Titania with full anatase nanocrystalline domains

A porous, high surface area TiO2 with anatase or rutile crystalline domains is advantageous for high efficiency photonic devices. Here, we report a new route to the synthesis of mesoporous titania with full anatase crystalline domains. This route involves the preparation of anatase nanocrystalline seed suspensions as the titania precursor and a block copolymer surfactant, Pluronic P123 as the template for the hydrothermal self-assembly process. A large pore (7 - 8 nm) mesoporous titania with a high surface area of 106 - 150 m(2)/g after calcination at 400degreesC for 4 h in air is achieved. Increasing the hydrothermal temperature decreases the surface area and creates larger pores. Characteristics of the seed precursors as well as the resultant mesoporous titania powder were studied using XRD analysis, N-2-adsorption/desorption analysis, and TEM. We believe these materials will be especially useful for photoelectrochemical solar cell and photocatalysis applications.

Biofunctionalized surface-modified silver nanoparticles for gene delivery

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) find use in different biomedical applications including wound healing and cancer. We propose that the efficacy of the nanoparticles can be further augmented by using these particles for gene delivery applications. The objective of this work was to engineer biofunctionalized stable AgNPs with good DNA binding ability for efficient transfection and minimal toxicity. Herein, we report on the one-pot facile green synthesis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) stabilized chitosan-g-polyacrylamide modified AgNPs. The size of the PEG stabilized AgNPs was 38 +/- 4 nm with a tighter size distribution compared to the unstabilized nanoparticles which showed bimodal distribution of particle sizes of 68 +/- 5 nm and 7 +/- 4 nm. To enhance the efficiency of gene transfection, the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptide was immobilized on the silver nanoparticles. The transfection efficiency of AgNPs increased significantly after immobilization of the RGDS peptide reaching up to 42 +/- 4% and 30 +/- 3% in HeLa and A549 cells, respectively, and significantly higher than 34 +/- 3% and 23 +/- 2%, respectively, with the use of polyethyleneimine (25 kDa). These nanoparticles were found to induce minimal cellular toxicity. Differences in cellular uptake mechanisms with RGDS immobilization resulting in improved efficiency are elucidated. This study presents biofunctionalized AgNPs for potential use as efficient nonviral carriers for gene delivery with minimal cytotoxicity toward augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of AgNPs used in different biomedical products.

超声化学法合成稀土纳米材料

稀土纳米材料因其独特的光、电、磁和催化等性能，在纳米器件和功能材料等诸多领域具有重要的应用价值。大量研究表明，纳米材料的物理和化学性质与其尺寸、成分、形貌和晶型密切相关。稀土纳米材料的合成方法有许多，然而，要真正实现这类材料的简单可控合成仍然是个艰难的课题。超声化学法由于具有操作简单、合成周期短、反应温度低、成本低廉并且产物均匀、粒径分布窄和纯度高等突出优点，已经在无机纳米材料制备领域中显示出独特的魅力。因此，本论文的工作是运用超声化学法合成有广泛应用前景的稀土纳米材料，对产物的形貌和粒径进行有效的调控，研究和分析其形成机理，并进一步考察其形貌、结构与性能之间的相互关系。 在本论文中，我们研究的体系集中在稀土磷酸盐、稀土氟化物和稀土钒酸盐三类纳米材料。 采用超声化学法得到的CePO4:Tb和CePO4:Tb/LaPO4(核/壳)纳米棒结晶完好，具有CePO4体材料的六方相结构。CePO4:Tb纳米棒直径为10-30 nm，长度为200 nm，CePO4:Tb/LaPO4(核/壳)纳米棒的LaPO4壳的厚度为2-10 nm。CePO4:Tb和CePO4:Tb/LaPO4(核/壳)纳米棒均具有Ce3+ (5d - 4f)和Tb3+ 5D4-7FJ(J = 6-3)的特征发射。与CePO4:Tb纳米棒核相比，CePO4:Tb/LaPO4(核/壳)纳米棒的光谱强度及荧光寿命均有较大的提高，这是由于形成核/壳结构后发光中心镧系金属离子与表面淬灭中心的距离增大，减少了能量传递过程中非辐射复合的路径，使能量淬灭受到抑制。 采用简单、快速、无模板辅助的超声化学法合成了稀土氟化物，并对产物的形貌和粒径进行了有效的调控。通过应用不同氟源(KBF4、NaF和NH4F)选择性合成了具有不同形貌的CeF3纳米材料，如片状、棒状和颗粒状。对具有不同形貌的CeF3样品进行了UV-Vis吸收光谱和荧光光谱测试和比较。研究结果表明不同形貌的样品，它们的光学性质存在很大差异，这说明纳米材料的光学性质与其形貌、粒径、晶体结构等因素有密切的关系。得到的EuF3单晶纳米材料具有三维花状形貌。这些纳米花的外形为球状，平均直径为0.9 μm-1.0 μm，每个花瓣的厚度约为0.14 μm。在其他实验条件不变的情况下，采用搅拌法而不经过超声辐射的对比实验只能得到二维纳米片，这表明超声辐射对花状EuF3的形成起到了至关重要的作用。基于不同反应时间的实验结果，我们提出了这种三维花状EuF3纳米材料可能的形成机理。 采用超声化学法选择性地合成了介孔及棒状CeVO4和纺锤状的YVO4:Eu3+ 纳米材料。CeVO4纳米棒的平均直径为5 nm，长度为150 nm。介孔CeVO4材料的比表面积较高(122 m2•g-1)，孔径分布窄，其催化性能有望得到提高。纺锤状的YVO4:Eu3+ 纳米粒子具有四方相锆石结构，其直径为90-150 nm，长度为250-300 nm。超声辐射对样品的形貌起着关键作用，在其他反应条件不变，未采用超声辐射的情况下只能得到团聚严重的纳米颗粒。荧光测试表明，纺锤状YVO4:Eu样品表现为Eu3+ 5D0-7FJ(J = 1- 4)的特征跃迁，以5D0-7F2电偶极跃迁(614nm)为最强峰，属于红光发射。

Morphological control and luminescent properties of CeF3 nanocrystals

The nanocrystals of CeF3 with the hexagonal structure and different morphologies such as the disk, the rod, and the dot have been successfully synthesized via a mild ultrasound assisted route from an aqueous solution of cerium nitrate and different fluorine sources (KBF4, NaF, NH4F). The use of different fluorine sources has a remarkable effect on the morphology of the final product. The luminescence and UV-vis absorption properties of CeF3 nanocrystals with different morphologies have been investigated. Compared with other shape nanocrystals, the luminescence intensity of the disklike nanocrystals is obviously enhanced. It is suggested that the function-improved materials could be obtained by tailoring the shape of the CeF3 nanocrystals.

Processamento sonoquímico de materiais mesoestruturados de óxido de zinco dopados com terras-raras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Synthesis of highly efficient and recyclable visible-light responsive mesoporous g-C3N4 photocatalyst via facile template-free sonochemical route

Herein we demonstrate a facile template-free sonochemical strategy to synthesize mesoporous g-C3N4 with a high surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The TEM and nitrogen adsorption–desorption studies confirm mesoporous structure in g-C3N4 body. The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous g-C3N4 is almost 5.5 times higher than that of bulk g-C3N4 under visible-light irradiation. The high photocatalytic performance of the mesoporous g-C3N4 was attributed to the much higher specific surface area, efficient adsorption ability and the unique interfacial mesoporous structure which can favour the absorption of light and separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs more effectively. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was discussed by the radicals and holes trapping experiments. Interestingly, the synthesized mesoporous g-C3N4 possesses high reusability. Hence the mesoporous g-C3N4 can be a promising photocatalytic material for practical applications in water splitting as well as environmental remediation.

Facile synthesis of Lithium Niobate squares by a combustion route

A combustion synthesis of lithium niobate (LN) squares from activated niobium oxide (Nb2 O5.nH2O) and Li2CO3 was studied to understand all the chemical reactions involved, and the nucleation and square-growth mechanisms. It was found that first the lithium ions react with the fuel (urea), then niobium ions of Nb2 O5.nH2O begin a continuous reaction with the fuel to form metal-organic complexes. LN nuclei are formed by the solid-state reaction of Li- and Nb-organic complexes at 430 degrees celcius. Lithium niobate squares are obtained in the crystallization stasge at 700 degrees celcius, which go on the grow into larger squares at 850 degrees celcius because of the agglomeration effect.

Amide catalysed facile isomerization of 5,6-dihydroisoquinolines: synthesis of stable 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines

Stable 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines have been synthesized by an amide catalysed novel isomerization reaction of 5,6-dihydroisoquinolines.

Facile Synthesis of beta-Amino Disulfides, Cystines, and Their Direct Incorporation into Peptides

Herein, we report a simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of beta-amino disulfides by regioselective ring opening of sulfamidates with benzyltriethylammonium tetrathiomolybdate [BnNEt3](2)MoS4. Stability and reactivity of different protecting groups under the reaction conditions have been discussed. This methodology has also been extended to serine and threonine derived sulfamidates to furnish cystine and 3,3'-dimethyl cystine derivatives.

Facile synthesis, ex-vivo and in vitro screening of 3-sulfonamide derivative of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid piperidin-1-ylamide (SR141716) a potent CB1 receptor antagonist

Facile synthesis of biaryl pyrazole sulfonamide derivative of 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid piperidin-1-ylamide (SR141716, 1) and an investigation of the effect of replacement of the –CO group in the compound 1 by the –SO2 group in the aminopiperidine region is reported. Primary ex-vivo pharmacological testing and in vitro screening of sulfonamide derivative 2 showed the loss of CB1 receptor antagonism.

Sonochemical Acceleration of Conversion of 2-Alkoxytetrahydrofurans to y-Butyrolactones Synthesis of (±)-Quercus Lactone-A

Effect of sonochemical irradiation on the conversion of 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans to γ-butyro-1actores by Jones reagent, and its extension to the highly stereoselective synthesis of quercus lactone a, is reported.

Facile one-pot synthesis of thio and selenourea derivatives: A new class of potent urease inhibitors

A facile, one-pot synthesis of thio and selenourea derivatives from amines using tetrathiomolybdate 1 and tetraseleno-tungstate 2 as sulfur and selenium transfer reagents, respectively, is reported. The compounds were tested for their activity as urease inhibitors and some of the compounds showed potent activity in the nanomolar range towards jack bean urease. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.