Dispersion characterization of Mechanochemically Synthesized nanoparticles using UV/Vis Spectroscopy

Dispersion characterization of nanoparticles was carried out using UV/Vis spectroscopy. ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles of sizes ranging 10 - 250 nm were investigated for slurries having various concentrations. The particles were synthesized by mechanochemical processing, which allows the formation of agglomeration-free nanoparticles. It was found that the UV/Vis spectra were highly sensitive to mean particle sizes and agglomeration states. The results showed that UV/Vis spectroscopy is a highly promising technique for studying nanoparticle dispersions having a wide range of concentrations in various media.

Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles and titanium oxide nanofibers : toward multifibrous nanocomposites

A new method was investigated to produce new multiscale fibrous nanocomposites comprised of titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanofibers and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). The process involved electrospinning TiO₂ precursor solution containing colloidal solution of Ag NPs, and organic solvent (dimethyl-n′n-formamide) to fabricate a porous, nonwoven, free-standing nanofiber mesh. Postprocess heating of the electrospun nanofibers entailed calcination in air environment at 500°C for 3 h. Microemulsion processing was used to generate NPs of Ag in a monodispersed distribution throughout the colloidal solution. X-ray diffraction data were consistent with the anatase phase of TiO2, while transmission electron microscopy and hydrogen desorption measurements revealed a very porous microstructure. It was demonstrated that NP colloidal stability is solvent dependent. It is anticipated that incorporation of metal particles in nanofibers will lead to enhanced photocurrent generation, when used in functional devices.

Formulation of vanillin cross-linked chitosan nanoparticles and its characterization.

Chitosan nanoparticles were successfully prepared by chemical cross-linking with vanillin. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape with smooth surface, and the average particle size of chitosan nanoparticles was 141 nm. The formulation of chitosan nanoparticles is based on Shiff reaction between aldehyde group of vanillin and amino group of chitosan. Chitosan nanoparticles prepared by crosslinking with vanillin are promising vehicle for the drug delivery of various anticancer drugs in the chemotherapy of cancers.

Preparation of nanoparticles by crosslinking folate conjugated chitosan with vanillin and its characterization

Functionalized chitosan (CS) were widely used as drug delivery system in the chemotherapy of various disease. In this work, folate (FA) was conjugated into chitosan molecular as targeting ligand based on Schiff reaction between –NH₂ group of CS and –COOH group of FA. And nanoparticles were made by emulsion method with vanillin novel cross-linking agent. The FA modified CS and its nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Zeta potential. SEM results confirmed the nanoparticles made from FA-CS conjugate were spherical in shape and were about 100 nm in size. Zeta potential analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were negatively charged with charge density of -7.73mV.

Preparation and characterization of a PAN nanofibre containing Ag nanoparticles via electrospinning

A polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber containing Ag nanoparticles was prepared by an electrospinning technology. To prevent the nanoparticles from coagulating in polymer solutions, an approach of in-situ preparing nanoparticles in PAN solution was used. Diameters of the nanoparticles and nanofiber as well as distribution of the former in the latter were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy. Crystal structure of the nanoparticles was given by X-ray diffraction. Absorption spectrum of the nanocomposites was measured by UV-Vis. Conductivity of the nanocomposites was compared with the pure PAN nanofiber.

Synthesis and characterization of surface-enhanced Raman-scattered gold nanoparticles

In this paper, we report a simple, rapid, and robust method to synthesize surface-enhanced Raman-scattered gold nanoparticles (GNPs) based on green chemistry. Vitis vinifera L. extract was used to synthesize noncytotoxic Raman-active GNPs. These GNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light-scattering, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The characteristic surface plasmon-resonance band at ~528 nm is indicative of spherical particles, and this was confirmed by TEM. The N–H and C–O stretches in FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of protein molecules. The predominant XRD plane at (111) and (200) indicated the crystalline nature and purity of GNPs. GNPs were stable in the buffers used for biological studies, and exhibited no cytotoxicity in noncancerous MIO-M1 (Müller glial) and MDA-MB-453 (breast cancer) cell lines. The GNPs exhibited Raman spectral peaks at 570, 788, and 1,102 cm-1. These new GNPs have potential applications in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and ultrasensitive biomarker detection.

GaN and Gax In1-x N nanoparticles with tunable indium content: synthesis and characterization

Semiconducting GaN and Gax In1-x N nanoparticles (4-10 nm in diameter, depending on the metal ratio) with tunable indium content are prepared through a chemical synthesis (the urea-glass route). The bandgap of the ternary system depends on its composition, and therefore, the color of the final material can be turned from bright yellow (the color of pure GaN) to blue (the color of pure InN). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM and HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirm the nanoparticle character and homogeneity of the as-prepared samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction (EDX), elemental mapping, and UV/Vis, IR, and Raman spectroscopy investigations are used to confirm the incorporation of indium into the crystal structure of GaN. These nanoparticles, possessing adjusted optical properties, are expected to have potential applications in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices.

Frontispiece: GaN and Gax In1-x N nanoparticles with tunable indium content: synthesis and characterization

Optoelectronic Devices A captivating peculiarity of GaInN alloys is a tunable band gap, depending on the Ga/In ratio, where the pure nitrides are bright yellow (GaN) or dark blue (InN). Gax In1-x N nanoparticles were prepared by a bottom-up approach (the urea glass route). The incorporation of an increasing amount of indium in the GaN structure is indicated by different colors (i.e., different band gaps), and the alloys are further investigated by TEM and optical microscopy. More information can be found in the Full Paper by C. Giordano et al. on page 18976 ff.

Polypyrrole nanoparticles and dye absorption properties

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles were prepared by using microemulsion polymerization processes at 3 °C. Particle characterization was performed by using FTIR, elementary analysis, UV–vis spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The size of the nanoparticles varied from about 50 to 100 to 100 to 200 nm with the change in concentration of surfactant from 0.8 to 0.44 M. Polypyrrole nanoparticles were dedoped by a 10% NaOH solution, followed by a redoping process using a nuclear fast red kernechtrot dye, which has a sulfonate group. Dedoping changed the optical absorption properties of the nanoparticles.

Self-assembled natural rubber/silica nanocomposites : its preparation and characterization

A novel natural rubber/silica (NR/SiO2) nanocomposite is developed by combining self-assembly and latex-compounding techniques. The results show that the SiO2 nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout NR matrix as nano-clusters with an average size ranged from 60 to 150 nm when the SiO2 loading is less than 6.5 wt%. At low SiO2 contents (less-than-or-equals, slant4.0 wt%), the NR latex (NRL) and SiO2 particles are assembled as a core-shell structure by employing poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as an inter-medium, and only primary aggregations of SiO2 are observed. When more SiO2 is loaded, secondary aggregations of SiO2 nanoparticles are gradually generated, and the size of SiO2 cluster dramatically increases. The thermal/thermooxidative resistance and mechanical properties of NR/SiO2 nanocomposites are compared to the NR host. The nanocomposites, particularly when the SiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed, possess significantly enhanced thermal resistance and mechanical properties, which are strongly depended on the morphology of nanocomposites. The NR/SiO2 has great potential to manufacture medical protective products with high performances.

Simultaneous incorporation of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin into chitosan nanoparticle as drug carrier and its characterization

A combined drug loaded system containing two most common anti-cancer drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) was designed and prepared by ion crosslinking technology. The resulted nanoparticles are spherical in shape, and the particle size becomes larger when drug combination are loaded. Efficient drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading (LC) are obtained due to the strong interaction between drugs and polymer. The combined drugs are distributed in the particles in amorpholous state which are demonstrated by the XRD results.

Coloration of cotton fibers with anisotropic silver nanoparticles

Anisotropic silver nanoparticles were assembled on cotton fibers to realize the coloration of cotton. The assembly of silver nanoparticles on fibers was achieved by linking of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) at room temperature. The silver nanoparticle treated cotton showed different colors because of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property of silver nanoparticles. The coloration was completed through electrostatic interaction between the PDDA treated cotton surface and the anisotropic silver nanoparticles in the reaction system. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization demonstrated that the morphologies of silver nanoparticles remained unchanged during the coloration process, so the treated cotton inherited the LSPR optical features of silver nanoparticles. Moreover, the cotton colorated with silver nanoparticles showed reasonably good color fastness to washing, which will facilitate the practical application of this coloration process.

Preparation and characterization of natural rubber/silica nanocomposites using rule of similarity in latex

Rule of similarity and latex compounding techniques were combined for the first time to prepare natural rubber/nanosilica (NR/SiO2) nanocomposite with core-shell nanosilica-poly (methyl methacrylate) (SiO 2-PMMA) particles and PMMA-modified natural rubber matrix (NR-PMMA). The microstructure of SiO2 and nanocomposites with different SiO 2 contents was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); the morphology of nanocomposites was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the tensile strength was characterized by tensile testing machine and the thermal stability of composites was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Results showed that PMMA chains have successfully grafted onto the surface of SiO2, and the core-shell SiO 2-PMMA nanoparticles and NR-PMMA latex have been perfectly incorporated. SiO2-PMMA nanoparticles are evenly distributed over the NR matrix with an average size in the range of 60-100 nm at the low content (SiO2? 3 wt%), while aggregations are apparently observed when 5 wt% SiO2 is loaded. In addition, NR/SiO2 composities possess a considerable improvement in ageing resistance compared with the pure NR. The tensile strength of composite increases from 6.99 to 12.72 MPa, reaching the highest value at a 0.5 wt% SiO2 loading, and then the figure decreases gradually because of the aggregation of SiO2 nanoparticles. It is anticipated that the reported process is to provide a simple and economic way for preparing NR composites.