Applied Nanoscience最新文献

This study explains the potential role of non-functionalized graphene produced using flash joule heating technology on Drosophila melanogaster. Several characterizations of the produced graphene were conducted via field emission-scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies. After being characterized, the graphene powder was orally administered to flies at doses ranging from 0.02 to 0.5%, establishing its non-toxic properties as a prerequisite for potential therapeutic applications. Experiments such as Trypan blue and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) revealed that graphene causes no harm to the larval gut’s plasma membrane and nucleus. Behavioral assays such as crawling and climbing assays on larvae and adults demonstrated the non-neurotoxic nature of graphene. The high sucrose diet-induced diabetic Drosophila melanogaster model was used to study antidiabetic properties. In contrast, Gram + ve bacteria B. subtilis and Gram − ve P. aeruginosa were used to study the antibacterial properties of graphene. A better metabolic profile was evidenced after graphene treatment, including a 36% decrease in hemolymph-free glucose levels and significantly reduced lipid droplets at the highest concentration. In addition, the highest concentration of graphene treatment resulted in a 57% reduced fluorescent intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by diabetic flies. Considering all these evidence, this study concludes that graphene’s non-toxic and antidiabetic properties can be used to mitigate the symptoms associated with Type II diabetes and obesity.

The extraordinary physical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are yet to be fully realised in polyamide-6 (PA6) nanocomposites, due to difficulty in dispersion of MWCNTs within PA6 matrix, owing to high toughness of PA6 and agglomerating properties of MWCNTs. In this study, MWCNTs of high aspect ratio prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method are melt-mixed with 0.1–0.5 parts-per-hundred ratios (phr) into PA6 matrix by twin-screw extrusion. The high shearing force of co-rotating twin-screws and intermixing of the components along the back-flow channel of extruder assured uniformly dispersed MWCNTs within PA6 system. A 30.2% rise in yield strength and an 82.6% rise in Young’s modulus were noticed for 0.1 phr MWCNTs/PA6 tensile specimens over neat PA6 specimens during tensile testing. A strain hardening behaviour was shown by neat PA6, which was persistent in all its composites containing MWCNTs. A distinct trend in storage and loss behaviour, as well as 14 °C and 11 °C rise in glass transition temperatures (T_g) in loss modulus and loss factor curves, respectively, were observed for 0.5 phr MWCNTs’ reinforcement in dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), which indicated an effective PA6–MWCNTs interaction. The improvements in crystallization and melting temperatures, as well as crystallinity values in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated nucleating effects of MWCNTs towards stable crystallization of PA6 molecules. The shifting and rise in intensity peaks in XRD and Raman spectroscopy curves supported the reinforcing effect of MWCNTs within PA6 matrix. These nanocomposites are beneficial for fabricating high mechanical and thermal stability-required components in automobiles, aerospace, and biomedicals.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs) are believed can enhance crop yield by accelerating the photosynthetic rate, infection control management, and competent catalyst for the decomposition of organic pollutants. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs) on L. sativa, lettuce growth in a hydroponic system using two different media: sponge and cocopeat. Hydroponic systems with optimum treatment factors, such as air temperature, humidity, light, pH of nutrient solution, and electrical conductivity (EC), were applied in this study to attain elevated yields within a short period of time. The results show that L. sativa without ({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs treatment produces an optimum growth pattern in terms of biomass, including fresh weight, dry weight, and height, with p < 0.05, especially when using cocopeat medium. Detailed observation found that ({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs treatment showed no significant difference between the leaf count and diameter on L. sativa. This study found that ({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs could act as an efficient organic catalyst for maintaining hydroponic nutrient quality. However, further findings indicate that ({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs could interfere with the nutrient absorption process from the roots, which might lead to off-color foliage, and plant stress. Further research is recommended to study the implication of ({text{TiO}}_{2})-NPs on growth, nutrient absorption, and organic catalyst potential that is beneficial for plant growth.