Precision control of drying using rhythmic dancing of sessile nanoparticle laden droplets

This work analyses the unique spatio-temporal alteration of the deposition pattern of evaporating nanoparticle laden droplets resting on a hydrophobic surface through targeted low frequency substrate vibrations. External excitation near the lowest resonant mode (n = 2) of the droplet initially de-pins and then subsequently re-pins the droplet edge creating pseudo-hydrophilicity (low contact angle). Vibration subsequently induces droplet shape oscillations (cyclic elongation and flattening) resulting in strong flow recirculation. This strong radially outward liquid flow augments nanoparticle transport, vaporization, and agglomeration near the pinned edge resulting in much reduced drying time under certain characteristic frequency of oscillations. The resultant deposit exhibits a much flatter structure with sharp, defined peripheral wedge topology as compared to natural drying. Such controlled manipulation of transport enables tailoring of structural and topological morphology of the deposits and offers possible routes towards controlling the formation and drying timescales which are crucial for applications ranging from pharmaceutics to surface patterning. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Confinement enhances dispersion in nanoparticle-polymer blend films

Polymer nanocomposites constitute an important class of materials whose properties depend on the state of dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Here we report the first observations of confinement-induced enhancement of dispersion in nanoparticle-polymer blend films. Systematic variation in the dispersion of nanoparticles with confinement for various compositions and matrix polymer chain dimensions has been observed. For fixed composition, strong reduction in glass transition temperature, T-g, is observed with decreasing blend-film thickness. The enhanced dispersion occurs without altering the polymer-particle interactions and seems to be driven by enhanced matrix-chain orientation propensity and a tendency to minimize the density gradients within the matrix. This implies the existence of two different mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites, which determines their state of dispersion and glass transition.

Effect of Reflux Time on Nanoparticle Shape

In the present work, Pt nanoparticles were produced from a reaction mixture containing a trace amount of cobalt carbonyl salt acting as a shape inducer. Nanoparticle shape evolution during reaction mixture reflux was monitored by characterizing particles extracted from the reaction mixture at different times. It was observed that 5 min of reflux produced spherical nanoparticles, 30 min of reflux produced cube shaped nanoparticles, and 60 min of reflux produced truncated octahedron morphology nanoparticles. It is illustrated that during nanoparticle synthesis the reflux process can provide energy needed for shape transformation from a metastable cube morphology to a truncated octahedron morphology which is thermodynamically the most stable geometry for fcc crystals. An optimization of the reaction reflux is thus needed for isolating metastable shapes.

Fabrication and characterization of gold coated hollow silicon microneedle array for drug delivery

In this paper, we present the fabrication and characterization of Ti and Au coated hollow silicon microneedles for transdermal drug delivery applications. The hollow silicon microneedles are fabricated using isotropic etching followed by anisotropic etching to obtain a tapered tip. Silicon microneedle of 300 mu m in height, with 130 mu m outer diameter and 110 mu m inner diameter at the tip followed by 80 mu m inner diameter and 160 mu m outer diameter at the base have been fabricated. In order to improve the biocompatibility of microneedles, the fabricated microneedles were coated with Ti (500 nm) by sputtering technique followed by gold coating using electroplating. A breaking force of 225 N was obtained for the fabricated microneedles, which is 10 times higher than the skin resistive force. Hence, fabricated microneedles can easily be inserted inside the skin without breakage. The fluid flow through the microneedles was studied for different inlet pressures. A minimum inlet pressure of 0.66 kPa was required to achieve a flow rate of 50 mu l in 2 s with de-ionized water as a fluid medium. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Semiconductor-like Sensitivity in Metallic Ultrathin Gold Nanowire-Based Sensors

Due to the ease of modification of electronic structure upon analyte adsorption, semiconductors have been the preferred materials as chemical sensors. At reduced dimension, however, the sensitivity of semiconductor-based sensors deteriorates significantly due to passivation, and often by increased band gap caused by quantum confinement. Using first-principles density functional theory combined with Boltzmann transport calculations, we demonstrate semiconductor-like sensitivity toward chemical species in ultrathin gold nanowires (AuNWs). The sensing mechanism is governed by the modification of the electronic structure of the AuNW as well as scattering of the charge carriers by analyte adsorption. Most importantly, the sensitivity exhibits a linear relationship with the electron affinities of the respective analytes. Based on this relationship, we propose an empirical parameter, which can predict an analyte-specific sensitivity of a AuNW, rendering them as effective sensors for a wide range of chemical an alytes.

Long range emission enhancement and anisotropy in coupled quantum dots induced by aligned gold nanoantenna

Quantum dot arrays have been projected as the material of choice for next generation displays and photodetectors. Extensive ongoing research aims at improving optical and electrical efficiencies of such devices. We report experimental results on non-local long range emission intensity enhancement and anisotropy in quantum dot assemblies induced by isolated and partially aligned gold nanoantennas. Spatially resolved photoluminescence clearly demonstrate that the effect is maximum, when the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of the nanoantenna is resonant with the emission maxima of the quantum dots. We estimated the decay length of this enhancement to be similar to 2.6 mu m, which is considerably larger than the range of near field interaction of metal nanoantenna. Numerical simulations qualitatively capture the near field behavior of the nanorods but fail to match the experimentally observed non-local effects. We have suggested how strong interactions of quantum dots in the close packed assemblies, mediated by the nanoantennas, could lead to such observed behavior. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

High Value of Proton Relaxivity Achieved by Graphene Oxide-Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticle Composite: A Potential Contrast Agent in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This work investigates the potential of graphene oxide-cobalt ferrite nanoparticle (GO-CoFe2O4) composite as image contrast enhancing material in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In the preset work, GO-CoFe2O4 composites were produced by a two-step synthesis process. In the first step, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized, and in the second step CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized in a reaction mixture containing GO to yield graphene GO-CoFe2O4 composite. Proton relaxivity value obtained from the composite was 361 mM(-1)s(-1). This value of proton relaxivity is higher than a majority of reported relaxivity values obtained using several ferrite based contrast agents.

Development, in vitro and in vivo characterization of zoledronic acid functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticle based formulation for treatment of osteoporosis in animal model

We investigated the potential of using novel zoledronic acid (ZOL)-hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticle based drug formulation in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. By a classical adsorption method, nanoparticles of HA loaded with ZOL (HNLZ) drug formulation with a size range of 100-130 nm were prepared. 56 female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated at 3 months of age. Twelve weeks post surgery, rats were randomized into seven groups and treated with various doses of HNLZ (100, 50 and 25 mu g/kg, intravenous single dose), ZOL (100 mu g/kg, intravenous single dose) and HA nanoparticle (100 mu g/kg, intravenous single dose). Untreated OVX and sham OVX served as controls. After three months treatment period, we evaluated the mechanical properties of the lumbar vertebra and femoral mid-shaft. Femurs were also tested for trabecular microarchitecture. Sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation and bone resorption in serum were also determined. With respect to improvement in the mechanical strength of the lumbar spine and the femoral mid-shaft, the therapy with HNLZ drug formulation was more effective than ZOL therapy in OVX rats. Moreover, HNLZ drug therapy preserved the trabecular microarchitecture better than ZOL therapy in OVX rats. Furthermore, the HNLZ drug formulation corrected increase in serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen better than ZOL therapy in OVX rats. The results strongly suggest that HNLZ novel drug formulation appears to be more effective approach for treating severe osteoporosis in humans. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gold Catalyzed Plasma Assisted Growth of Germanium Nanoneedles

A systematic study of Gold catalyzed growth of Ge nanoneedles by PECVD at low temperatures (<400 degrees C) is presented. Morphology, growth rate and aspect ratio of the needles are studied as a function of power, gas flow rate and chamber pressure. Nanoneedles were grown at pre-defined positions with catalytic particles obtained by e-Beam Lithography and lift off. This opens up the possibility of using Ge Nano needles in photovoltaic, nanoelectronics and nanosensor device applications.

A Gold Sensors Array for Imaging The Real Tissue Phantom in Electrical Impedance Tomography

Surface electrodes in Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) phantoms usually reduce the SNR of the boundary potential data due to their design and development errors. A novel gold sensors array with high geometric precision is developed for EIT phantoms to improve the resistivity image quality. Gold thin films are deposited on a flexible FR4 sheet using electro-deposition process to make a sixteen electrode array with electrodes of identical geometry. A real tissue gold electrode phantom is developed with chicken tissue paste and the fat cylinders as the inhomogeneity. Boundary data are collected using a USB based high speed data acquisition system in a LabVIEW platform for different inhomogeneity positions. Resistivity images are reconstructed using EIDORS and compared with identical stainless steel electrode systems. Image contrast parameters are calculated from the resistivity matrix and the reconstructed images are evaluated for both the phantoms. Image contrast and image resolution of resistivity images are improved with gold electrode array.

Graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite with high transverse proton relaxivity value for magnetic resonance imaging

The potential of graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle (GO-Fe3O4) composite as an image contrast enhancing material in magnetic resonance imaging has been investigated. Proton relaxivity values were obtained in three different homogeneous dispersions of GO-Fe3O4 composites synthesized by precipitating Fe3O4 nanoparticles in three different reaction mixtures containing 0.01 g, 0.1 g, and 0.2 g of graphene oxide. A noticeable difference in proton relaxivity values was observed between the three cases. A comprehensive structural and magnetic characterization revealed discrete differences in the extent of reduction of the graphene oxide and spacing between the graphene oxide sheets in the three composites. The GO-Fe3O4 composite framework that contained graphene oxide with least extent of reduction of the carboxyl groups and largest spacing between the graphene oxide sheets provided the optimum structure for yielding a very high transverse proton relaxivity value. It was found that the GO-Fe3O4 composites possessed good biocompatibility with normal cell lines, whereas they exhibited considerable toxicity towards breast cancer cells. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Synthesis and electrochemical behaviour of NiFeCr nanoparticle coatings

NiFeCr nanoparticles with a Ni-rich composition were synthesized using a wet chemical synthesis technique. As-synthesized nanoparticles were crystalline with an average size of 6.8 +/- 2.5 nm. For electrochemical analysis, as-synthesized nanoparticles were mixed with epoxy and coated over a mild steel substrate. Electrochemical measurements exhibited a very high polarization resistance and very low corrosion current for the nanoparticle-epoxy coated sample illustrating high resistance of the NiFeCr nanoparticle-epoxy coating towards highly corrosive media.

Theoretical Insights to Niobium-Doped Monolayer MoS2-Gold Contact

We report a first principles study of the electronic properties for a contact formed between Nb-doped monolayer MoS2 and gold for different doping concentrations. We first focus on the shift of energy levels in band structure and the density of states with respect to the Fermi level for a geometrically optimized 5 x 5 MoS2 supercell for both pristine and Nb-doped structures. The doping is achieved by substituting Mo atoms with Nb atoms at random positions. It is observed that for an experimentally reported sheet hole doping concentration of (rho(2D)) 1.8 x 10(14) cm(-2), the pristine MoS2 converts to degenerate p-type semiconductor. Next, we interface this supercell with six layers of < 111 > cleaved surface of gold to investigate the contact nature of MoS2-Au system. By careful examination of projected band structure, projected density of states, effective potential and charge density difference, we demonstrate that the Schottky barrier nature observed for pure MoS2-Au contact can be converted from n-type to p-type by efficient Nb doping.

Engineering nanostructured polymer blends with controlled nanoparticle location for excellent microwave absorption: a compartmentalized approach

In order to obtain better materials, control over the precise location of nanoparticles is indispensable. It is shown here that ordered arrangements of nanoparticles, possessing different characteristics (electrical/ magnetic dipoles), in the blend structure can result in excellent microwave absorption. This is manifested from a high reflection loss of ca. -67 dB for the best blend structure designed here. To attenuate electromagnetic radiation, the key parameters of high electrical conductivity and large dielectric/magnetic loss are targeted here by including a conductive material multiwall carbon nanotubes, MWNTs], ferroelectric nanostructured material with associated relaxations in the GHz frequency barium titanate, BT] and lossy ferromagnetic nanoparticles nickel ferrite, NF]. In this study, bi-continuous structures were designed using 50/50 (by wt) blends of polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The MWNTs were modified using an electron acceptor molecule, a derivative of perylenediimide, which facilitates p-p stacking with the nanotubes and stimulates efficient charge transport in the blends. The nanoscopic materials have specific affinity towards the PVDF phase. Hence, by introducing surface-active groups, an ordered arrangement can be tailored. To accomplish this, both BT and NF were first hydroxylated followed by the introduction of amine-terminal groups on the surface. The latter facilitated nucleophilic substitution reactions with PC and resulted in their precise location. In this study, we have shown for the first time that by a compartmentalized approach, superior EM attenuation can be achieved. For instance, when the nanoparticles were localized exclusively in the PVDF phase or in both the phases, the minimum reflection losses were ca. -18 dB (for the MWNT/BT mixture) and -29 dB (for the MWNT/NF mixture), and the shielding occurred primarily through reflection. Interestingly, by adopting the compartmentalized approach wherein the lossy materials were in the PC phase and the conductive materials (MWNT) were in the PVDF phase, outstanding reflection losses of ca. -57 dB (for the BT and MWNT combination) and -67 dB (for the NF and MWNT combination) were noted and the shielding occurred primarily through absorption. Thus, the approach demonstrates that nanoscopic structuring in the blends can be achieved under macroscopic processing conditions and this strategy can further be explored to design microwave absorbers.