Journal of Nanoparticle Research最新文献

The rapidly developing field of nanomedicine presents new challenges for researchers. Existing, clinically used preparations based on metal nanoparticles still have their limitations. Consequently, scientific attention is shifting from well-studied monometallic to bimetallic nanoparticles, which combine a synergistic combination of different metals in their composition. This review examines promising gold-containing bimetallic nanoparticles for use in biomedicine. Gold (Au) is the most popular initial choice in bimetallic nanoparticle (BNPs) composition due to its biocompatibility. As two metals combine in one particle, it becomes possible to reduce systemic toxicity and significantly increase the therapeutic effect. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the advantages and limitations of bimetallic nanoparticles and discuss potential solutions to the problems that have hindered their development.

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One of the ways to create plasmonic nanoparticles is through a physical method of synthesizing by thermal evaporation in a vacuum, which was chosen for analysis through computer simulation. Experimental data on the initial and annealed silver nanoparticles obtained in this manner were studied. It was found that small Ag nanoparticles (D < 3.5 nm) exhibited nearly ideal FCC structure, while larger nanoparticles unexpectedly showed predominantly icosahedral or decahedral modifications. To assess the mechanisms behind these experimental results, a study on the stability of Ag nanocluster structures with diameters D = 2.0–10.0 nm was conducted using molecular dynamics. Based on computer analysis of synthesis processes, subsequent cooling of Ag nanoparticles, and their thermal annealing, it was demonstrated that the theoretical discrepancy in the structure of experimentally obtained nanoparticles could only be explained by significant deformation of small Ag nanoparticles occurring during their deposition on a substrate in a liquid state. Possible ways to control the structure of Ag nanoparticles were identified. The regularities identified through computer simulation can be utilized in the preparation of Ag nanoparticles using physical synthesis methods.

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were obtained via a hydrothermal method, while graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were produced via Hummers’ method. Reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (RGO@TiO₂) nanocomposites were synthesized via a hydrothermal technique. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of TiO₂, RGO@TiO₂, and perovskite nanoparticles were characterized via powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the functional groups in the samples. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were also used to investigate how samples undergo structural and phase changes throughout a thermal process. This study investigated the enhancement of cell efficiency with lightening. In this work, FTO/Ag/TiO₂/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag, FTO/Ag/RGO@TiO₂/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag, and FTO/Ag/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag structured solar cell devices were fabricated and subjected to two different light treatments, ultraviolet (UV) and LED lamps, to determine how cell efficiency is affected by light. After lighting with a 7-W LED lamp, the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with the structure of FTO/Ag/RGO@TiO₂/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag showed a higher efficiency of 17.01% compared with that of the other materials, FTO/Ag/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag 8.61%, and FTO/Ag/TiO₂/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag 15.62%. It can be concluded that using the RGO@TiO₂ nanocomposite material in the fabrication of PSCs enhanced the cell efficiency.

Regarded as an essential transition metal, gold holds significant research value in the academic realm. In this work, gold nanoparticles were prepared by a combination of magnetron sputtering and liquid-phase exfoliation. The nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles had been systematically investigated by utilizing the open aperture Z-scan method with both nanosecond and picosecond laser sources, which were rarely involved in previous studies. Based on the saturation absorption properties of gold nanoparticles, we prepared a gold saturable absorber and successfully applied it in generating passively Q-switched pulses in Pr:YLF crystal laser and Nd:YAG crystal laser, respectively. And we also analyzed its optical limiting applications. Our systematic study confirms that gold nanoparticles are suitable as candidates for saturable absorbers and optical limiting materials.

In this study, we examine the adsorption of sulfur-containing pollutant gases, specifically H₂S, SO₂, and CS₂, on a pentagonal BCP nanosheet (referred to as penta-BCP) using periodic density functional theory. The findings demonstrate that the presence of adsorbed H₂S, SO₂, and CS₂ gases on a penta-BCP sheet leads to a decrease in the band gap by 24.39, 26.79, and 33.98% respectively. The adsorption energy values for the most stable complexes of H₂S/penta-BCP, SO₂/penta-BCP, and CS₂/penta-BCP are − 0.722, − 1.073, and − 0.619 eV respectively. Additionally, the calculated recovery time at 300 K for the relevant complexes without radiation is 1.42 s for H₂S/penta-BCP and 0.026 s for CS₂/penta-BCP. Furthermore, the impact of sulfur-containing gases on the transmission characteristics of the penta-BCP nanosheet has been investigated through current–voltage analyses. These analyses provide conclusive evidence supporting the potential use of penta-BCP nanosheet as a substrate for adsorbing and sensing sulfur-containing gases.

Malachite green dye, widely used in various industries, poses significant threats to aquatic life and human health when present in water bodies. Traditional dye removal methods have limitations, prompting the need for innovative and sustainable solutions. This study investigates the potential of nano-ceramic clays, nano-silica clay, nano-kaolinite, nano-montmorillonite, and nano-titanium dioxide for removing malachite green dye (MGD) from water and wastewater. These clays exhibit exceptional properties, including high surface areas, specific structural characteristics, and enhanced reactivity, making them highly effective adsorbents. Various characterization techniques, such as UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR analysis, XRD, SEM, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and BET analysis, were employed to analyse the properties of the raw and activated nano-ceramic clays. Continuous flow column experiments investigated the impact of various factors on the adsorption process. Characterization revealed critical insights into the structure, morphology, and surface properties of the nano-ceramic clays. Adsorption experiments demonstrated their effectiveness, with nano-silica clay achieving an efficient adsorption capacity under optimal conditions (pH 5, particle size 50 nm, temperature 35 °C, bed height 15 cm, dye concentration 50 mg/L, flow rate 5 mL/min, and duration 14 h), leading to 99.9% dye removal. Mathematical modelling predicted breakthrough curves for designing full-scale adsorption systems and in kinetics obeys Clark’s model and Sips isotherm model indicated that factors beyond diffusion influence the adsorption rate and type IV isotherm is obtained by the BET analysis. Regeneration studies with a 98.5% removal efficiency at the first regeneration validated the nano-ceramic clay as an effective agent dye removal, offering significant environmental benefits. Future research should focus on developing more economical synthesis methods to enhance the practical and sustainable application of nano-ceramic clays in water and wastewater treatment, thereby mitigating dye pollution effectively.

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This study employs spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) to explore the structural and electronic properties of ZnO-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (ZnO-SWCNT) before and after SO₂ and SO₂F₂ adsorption. In ZnO-SWCNT, the ZnO molecule shifts to the hollow part of the CNT after relaxation, and the nanotube’s band gap is about 0.37 eV. However, SO₂ chemisorption could convert the electronic property to metallic. The SO₂ molecules adsorb to the Zn atom of the modified nanotube with a high adsorption energy of − 0.93 eV and 0.23 electron transfer from the nanotube to SO₂. SO₂F₂ adsorption energy to ZnO-SWCNT is about − 0.7 eV. This adsorption slightly increases the band gap and does not lead to a considerable charge transfer which can be interpreted as physical adsorption of SO₂F₂ to SWCNT. These computational insights provide an accurate understanding of the structural and electronic properties of ZnO-SWCNT which can potentially guide the rational design of ZnO-SWCNT as a sensor for adsorption of SF₆ decomposed gases.

A series of Ag-TiO₂ nanotube catalysts were prepared by electrochemical deposition. Doping of Ag nanoparticles was regulated by adjusting the deposition voltage, which altered the photocatalytic performance of the sample. The electrochemical properties of the Ag-TiO₂ nanotubes were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflection spectroscopy. PL and UV–vis spectroscopy showed that the Ag-TiO₂ nanotubes had a higher visible-light absorption activity and a lower photogenerated electron–hole pair recombination rate. SEM analysis showed that the highly ordered tubular structure of the TiO₂ nanotubes was not disrupted after electrochemical deposition, and the size and quantity of the Ag nanoparticles deposited on the TiO₂ nanotubes increased with increasing deposition voltage. The Ag-TiO₂ nanotubes prepared at a deposition voltage of 1 V exhibited the highest hydrogen evolution efficiency, with a theoretical hydrogen production rate of 12.59 µmol∙cm⁻²∙h⁻¹ under UV irradiation. This was 2.1-fold higher than that of pure TiO₂ nanotubes and was attributable to the local surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles, which enhanced the visible light absorption by the TiO₂ nanotubes.

The development of activatable nanoplatforms to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic performance while minimizing side effects is of great significance in treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Here, we report a novel nanomaterial composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), onto which our newly synthesized compound 1 is loaded, forming 5-ALA/g-C₃N₄@1. This nanomaterial is highly pH-sensitive and can rapidly degrade in mildly acidic environments, enabling the release of its loaded photosensitizer and compound 1, exhibiting characteristics such as fluorescence recovery and increased singlet oxygen generation. We evaluated the bioactivity of this novel composite material and explored its mechanisms of action. The effect of 5-ALA/g-C₃N₄@1 on the levels of HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg was evaluated by treatment of HepG2.2.15 cells with the system. Our results suggest that the system can effectively inhibit HBV replication for the treatment of CHB. This work presents a novel photosensitive carrier with excellent biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy, offering new insights into CHB research.

Borophene, as a 2D rising eulogizing star, is garnering increasing attention and recognition due to its venerated properties including anisotropic plasmonics, exemplary in-plane elasticity, superconductivity, massless Dirac fermions, high electron mobility, exceptional flexibility, exquisite tunability, and metallic properties across the majority of its structural models. These characteristics make borophene a promising material with diverse implementations like quantum electronics, high-speed low-dissipation devices, gas sensors, and energy storage. Following the landmark synthesis of borophene in 2015, a multitude of scientific endeavors have explored diverse synthesis approaches for producing borophene on a range of substrates. Within, this comprehensive review, we endeavor to present a succinct yet thorough examination of the myriad synthesis approaches employed for borophene fabrication on various substrates. In tandem, we meticulously delineate the merits and demerits inherent to each of these elucidated synthesis techniques. Furthermore, the review encompasses a summary of applications of borophene. Simultaneously, we proffer suggestions, address existing challenges, and discern novel prospects, thus extending an invitation for future exploration in this promising domain of scientific inquiry.

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