Journal of Nanoparticle Research最新文献

To handle the ill-posed inverse problem in the measurement of particle size distribution (PSD) of polydisperse particle system using dynamic light scattering (DLS), a hybrid method named as CONTINfit-GRNN is proposed in this paper. The CONTINfit-GRNN is constructed by taking advantages of the constrained regularization method (CONTIN), the nonlinear least squares fitting strategy and a general regression neural network (GRNN). Simulation data for the electric field autocorrelation function (ACF) and fitted data for CONTIN are used to generate the training set, and the optimal smoothing parameter, which adjusts the generalization ability of GRNN, is determined by minimizing the deviation of the distribution. To validate the capability of this method, CONTINfit-GRNN is used to estimate both the unimodal and bimodal PSDs. Simulation results show that CONTINfit-GRNN achieves higher accuracy than fitting data of CONTIN in both narrow and broad distributions, and also shows high stability in the inversion of PSD as the noise level increases.

This manuscript presents a comprehensive study of the magnetic and thermal properties of iron boride (Fe₂B) nanoparticles (NPs), which were synthesized using an arc melting method followed by ball milling. These NPs possess significant promise for use in self-regulating magnetic hyperthermia. The ball-milling method played a crucial role in decreasing the crystallite size, thereby modulating the fundamental magnetic properties, such as coercivity and saturation magnetization (({M}_{s})), both of which are strongly size-dependent. The measured Curie temperatures (({T}_{C})) of the nanoparticles were within the range of 315 K to 320 K ideal for therapeutic hyperthermia applications- making it possible to utilize such materials in the field of hyperthermia and cancer treatment. The specific absorption rate (SAR) peaked at 10.2 W/g for Fe₂B NPs, having an average crystallite size of approximately 14 nm, indicating that these nanoparticles exhibit enhanced thermal performance compared to most standard magnetic nanomaterials. The biocompatibility of Fe₂B NPs was confirmed through hemolysis tests, along with WST-8 colorimetric method-based assays. These nanoparticles were encapsulated in liposomes, which further decrease their toxicity. This renders Fe₂B nanoparticles more compatible with the body and more promising for future medical applications, such as magnetic hyperthermia.

The possibility of using magnetite nanoparticles as a sorbent in the isolation of nucleic acids from cells was investigated in this study. Nanoparticles were synthesized by polyol method in ethylene glycol with addition of polyethylene glycol. Then, the nanoparticles were coated with silicon oxide by Stöber method. Particles characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, vibrational magnetometry, and ferromagnetic resonance. The study of the IR spectra showed the presence of bands characteristic of polyethylene glycol related to hydroxide and ether groups. The magnetization curves in the region of approaching magnetization to saturation were investigated and the saturation magnetization, magnetic anisotropy constant, and average size of nanoparticles were determined. The fitting of the temperature dependences of the linewidth and resonance field of the ferromagnetic resonance also allowed us to determine the magnetic characteristics of the nanoparticles. Three different methods used to determine the anisotropy constant (from the line width and resonance field of the ferromagnetic resonance and from the field dependence of the magnetization) showed good agreement with each other. The determined anisotropy constant was approximately 1–2·10⁵ erg/cm³, which is close to the anisotropy constant of bulk magnetite. It is shown that 0.5 mg of the developed particles allows obtaining 2.88 (2.67–3.08) μg μg of nucleic acids. Gel electrophoresis has demonstrated a high degree of purity and integrity of the isolated molecules. The results of evaluating the expression of the ACTB and GAPDH housekeeping genes using particle-isolated RNAs were similar to those using a commercial nucleic acid isolation kit.

Multiple cycles of transarterial embolization chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can easily cause the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), leading to multidrug resistance (MDR) of HCC. Herein, we linked PLA (polylactic acid) with doxorubicin (DOX) through acid-sensitive hydrazone bonds to prepare PLA-ADH/DOX. Then, PLA-ADH/DOX and disulfiram (DSF) were physically encapsulated into PLGA-PEG (polylactic-co-glycolic acid-polyethylene glycol) as the backbone to fabricate a drug delivery system (DOX/DSF NPs) by nanoprecipitation and emulsion solvent evaporation method. The data of physicochemical characterization showed that DOX/DSF NPs enabled excellent stability at room temperature and pH sensitivity in an acidic environment. More importantly, DOX/DSF NPs could avoid P-gp-mediated efflux through endocytosis pathways and inhibit the function of P-gp by DSF, which increases cellular uptake of DOX in HepG2/DOX cells (hepatocellular DOX-resistant cancer cell line) and promotes DOX to enter the nucleus of HepG2/DOX cells for exerting the therapeutic effect in vitro. In addition, DOX/DSF NPs could increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reduce intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, thereby further inhibiting the function of P-gp, increasing intracellular concentration of drugs, and ultimately overcoming MDR in HCC. Hence, the combination of DOX and DSF delivered by DOX/DSF NPs with pH-sensitive and sequentially controlled drug release may provide a new way for MDR of HCC.

Currently, based on the unique spatial structure and properties of three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials, the photocatalytic performance of composites can be effectively enhanced by loading semiconductors with photocatalytic activity on the surface and designing and constructing heterostructures. In this study, polystyrene (PS) microspheres were prepared using the self-assembly technology. In₂S₃@3DOM NiTiO₃-TiO₂ composite was then fabricated via a vacuum impregnation and constant-temperature water bath method, of which the crystal phase and microstructure analysis revealed that In₂S₃@3DOM NiTiO₃-TiO₂ exhibited a well-defined crystal structure and 3DOM morphology. This 3DOM structure provided more reactive sites with a substantial mass transfer capacity, and its slow photon effect could enhance the light absorption. Photoluminescence and photoelectrochemical tests demonstrated that the heterojunction interfaces among In₂S₃, NiTiO₃, and TiO₂ in In₂S₃@3DOM NiTiO₃-TiO₂ effectively promoted the separation of electron–hole pairs and significantly extended the carrier lifetime. Under simulated sunlight conditions, the removal rate of crystal violet (CV) as the target pollutant by In₂S₃@3DOM NiTiO₃-TiO₂ achieved 99.98%. Moreover, with Pt as the cocatalyst, its photocatalytic hydrogen production performance was 12 times higher than of commercial TiO₂. Through active species capture experiments, Mott–Schottky tests, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance tests, the photocatalytic reaction mechanism of the double Z-scheme heterostructure among In₂S₃, NiTiO₃, and TiO₂ was speculated, and the possible photocatalytic degradation pathways were analyzed. The double Z-scheme heterostructure regulated the charge transfer path. It enhanced the separation efficiency of electrons and holes, and the 3DOM slow photon effect strengthened the light capture ability of the composite material, further significantly improving its photocatalytic performance.

Nanoecotoxicology is essential for understanding the environmental impact of nanomaterials. This study evaluated the impact of Bi₂S₃-PVP nanorods on two model aquatic organisms with contrasting biology: Daphnia magna and Pomacea sp. The physicochemical properties of the nanorods were characterized. Nanorods presented a uniform hydrodynamic size (217.9 + / − 25.8 nm), Z-potential of − 5.24 + / − 0.76 mV, and thermal stability up to 500 °C. Daphnia incorporated Bi₂S₃-PVP nanorods in the digestive tract, but no evidence of immobilization/mortality (in presence or absence of xanthan gum as stabilizer) was observed up to 100 mg L⁻¹. Snail’s growth rate and ingestion rate were not affected by Bi₂S₃-PVP at concentrations of T1 = 1 and T10 = 10 mg L⁻¹ in the evaluated timeframe. Oxygen consumption increased significantly in both treatments T1 and T10, with respect to the control after 18 and 28 days of exposure. Bismuth concentrations were detected and quantified in snail muscle in both treatments (T1 = 13.66 ± 20 mg kg⁻¹ and T10 = 94.74 ± 144 mg kg⁻¹), and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was positive (BAF = 13.96 ± 20.99) and equal for both treatments. Bi₂S₃-PVP nanorods interact with both aquatic organisms and were ingested by both organisms, highlighting their bioavailability across different trophic levels. We report for the first time the bioaccumulation of these NPs in the tissues of a freshwater snail and in the gut content of Daphnia. These results contribute to the knowledge of nanomaterials’ ecological risks, requiring the understanding of their dynamics and the development of regulatory frameworks for assessing emerging technologies.

In 1930, the Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman won the Nobel Prize of Physics for his work in understanding the light-matter interaction, known as Raman scattering. After this discovery, the advancement of the Raman spectroscopy technique has increased during the years. In this context, seeking the amplification of the Raman spectroscopy signal, the use of nanoparticles to promote the Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect appeared as an excellent alternative. Thus, the development of different SERS substrates with various nanostructures has been constantly happening by research groups around the world. Substrate modifications, nanoparticles with complex structures, new analysis configurations and different devices setups have gone beyond scientific publications and several researchers and companies have sought intellectual protection for their productions. In this sense, patents related to SERS, in general applications, have been filed over the years. This article brings a systematic review of patents involving the SERS effect (substrates, devices, and preparation methods) in the twenty-first century showing the main patenting trends for those who want to understand the evolution of SERS patents, as well as showing the future perspectives, thus bringing a fundamental vision for researchers in this area. For this purpose, a search was carried out in the Espacenet database, which offers access to over 150 million patent documents. The search strategy involved advanced queries for "Surface-enhanced Raman scattering" or "SERS" in patents published from January 1, 2001, to June 1, 2024, resulting in 3,436 patent documents. The findings reveal a significant increase in SERS patent publications over the years. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that universities and research institutes are the primary contributors, responsible for 70.20% of SERS patent applications. When evaluating the location of the patent application, the USA, Japan, and South Korea stand out as the three countries that fill out the most patent applications. For this reason, Asia and America emerge as the continents that most produce this type of patent with 43.41 and 42.96%, respectively. Thus, this review article gives an overview of the progress of the SERS patents in twenty-first century.

In view of the urgent need for efficient and low-cost treatment of organic pollutants in printing and dyeing wastewater, magnetic porous adsorbents have attracted significant attention owing to their high efficiency and reusability. Herein, magnetic bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate framework (mZIFs) nanoparticles with Fe₃O₄ cores were synthesized as the initial precursor. Subsequently, the novel hollow mZIFs core–shell nanocomposites (defined as mNCs) were prepared through a mild tannic acid etching method, designed for efficient removal of organic pollutants from wastewater. The mNCs displayed remarkable adsorption potential, reaching up to 879.49 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) and 262.50 mg/g for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) at 303 K, with adsorption following the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and fitting well to the Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption of MB and TC by mNCs proceeds spontaneously through an endothermic process, and the mNCs retained over 80% of their MB removal efficiency even after five adsorption–desorption cycles. These results highlight the potential of mNCs as an efficient and reusable adsorbent for eliminating organic contaminants in wastewater treatment.

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In the upsurge of emergent semiconductor materials as photocatalytic agents, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have shown their promise extensively. However, the implication of shape-controlled ZnO is still lacking. In this study, we construct two distinct shapes of ZnO spheres (ZnO-s) and needle-like ZnO (ZnO-n) that are grown by sol–gel and hydrothermal methods for hydrogen production photocatalysts. The hydrogen production of ZnO-s and ZnO-n is 19.78 and 12.25 µmol.g⁻¹, respectively, after 4 h of irradiation. Both shapes of ZnO exhibit a greater quantity in comparison to commercial ZnO (ZnO-c) for hydrogen production (5.3 µmol.g⁻¹). Various characterizations including X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have been carried out. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy indicated that both ZnO-s and ZnO-n exhibit a reduced PL intensity relative to ZnO-c. This finding demonstrates that the electron recombination in both ZnO-s and ZnO-n was suppressed. Furthermore, the UV–Vis DRS validated that both zinc oxide nanostructures have band gaps within the visible-light spectrum.

Growing environmental concerns and the persistence of organic pollutants underscore the urgent need for effective wastewater treatment. Among the various strategies developed to address this challenge, photocatalysis has emerged as a promising approach due to its potential for sustainable and efficient degradation of pollutants. In this study, we investigate the simultaneous incorporation of transition metal cations (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe³⁺) into the crystalline structure of titanate nanotubes (H₂Ti₃O₇, TiNT) via a straightforward ion-exchange method. This modification promotes the formation of a p-n heterostructure between TiNT and the corresponding metal oxides (CuO, NiO, CoO, and Fe₂O₃). Remarkably, metal cation incorporation leads to a substantial reduction in the band gap, from 3.3 eV to 1.5 eV, and induces a new absorption feature associated with the formation of p-n heterojunctions. These modifications effectively extend the light absorption of the materials into the visible region. Furthermore, the formation of the p-n heterojunction increased charge carrier density compared to that obtained in pristine TiNT. The photocatalytic activity of the resulting metal-doped TiNT (M-TiNT) semiconductors was evaluated for the degradation of ibuprofen and indigo carmine under both UV and visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to improved light harvesting and increased availability of charge carriers, facilitating the generation of reactive redox species. The importance of the hydroxyl radical as a reactive species was confirmed using a hydroxyl radical scavenger, which led to a significant reduction in photocatalytic activity compared to the control experiment without the scavenger. Notably, Cu–TiNT remained stable after the reuse cycles, retaining 90% of its initial photoactivity. These findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of nanostructured photocatalysts and underscore the potential of metal-doped TiNTs for efficient environmental remediation.