International Journal of Nano Dimension
Volume:12 Issue: 1, Winter 2021

Seaweeds tend to have the property of acting as a biofertilizer for plants. Endophytes are organisms that are capable of mimicking and producing secondary metabolites similar to the host. In this report, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from a marine endophytic fungus, Fusarium equiseti which was isolated from marine seaweed and identified using ITS sequencing. The synthesized Fusarium equiseti nanoparticle (FeNp) was characterized using UV Visible Spectrophotometer and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Efficacies of these nanoparticles to act as plant growth promoters were tested in laboratory conditions. Two different methods of administrations are nanopriming (NAP) and hydropriming (HYP), which were carried out with varying concentration of the FeNp (1ppm, 2.5ppm, 5ppm and 10 ppm). After comparing both the results, HYP method showed better results by favouring positive effects on wet weight, shoot length, root length, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents even at very low concentration (5ppm).The current results suggested that there is scope for these nanoparticles to be made into a biofertilizer after performing further toxicity studies under field conditions.

The Cancer is one of the world’s most devastating diseases. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug; however, its toxicity is a significant limitation in therapy. Due to the severe side effects of chemotherapy drugs, scientists have tried to load these drugs in nanocomposites. This paper describes a facile and low cost approach for preparation polymeric biodegradable nanohybrid based on doxorubicin loaded onto chitosan/porous reduced graphene oxide (DOX/CS-prGO). Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope images (FE-SEM) revealed DOX onto CS-prGO nanocomposite. In addition, the study reported here evaluated the cytotoxicity effects of DOX/CS-prGO on MCF-7 breast cancer and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity tests showed significantly higher viability loss and toxicity of DOX/CS-prGO in comparison with CS-prGO against cancer cells especially for HT-29 colon cells (with cell viability of ~36%, ~29% and ~9% for 24, 48 and 72 h exposure, respectively). The viability loss of DOX/CS-prGO is comparable to that reported by free DOX. Thus, the development of nanohybrid based on polymer/carbon conjugated to DOX will remarkably enhance anticancer activity because of their unique physicochemical properties, high surface area and stronger inhibitory effect. These nanocomposites are an ideal candidate to deliver anticancer agents into cells.

A series of Graphene Oxide/ Polyacrylamide (GO/PAM) super-elastic nanocomposites with different amounts of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets (GONSs) (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt. %) were synthesized using an in-situ polymerization in an aqueous medium in this paper. To this end, we proposed a method for obtaining super-elastic nanocomposites with a high dispersion of GONSs in the PAM chains as well as in a rapid synthesis. Fine adaptability, powerful inner interaction between embedded GONSs into the PAM chains, and remarkable enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties of synthesized GO/PAM super-elastic nanocomposites can be considered as the unique characteristics of this synthesis method in a short time. In this study, GONSs were prepared by a modified Hummer's procedure at ambient temperature. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and DifferentialThermal Analysis (DTA) were employed to characterize the internal network structure of GONSs, PAM, and GO/PAM nanocomposites. XRD investigation indicated the increase of the interlayer spacing of GONSs. The exfoliation and dispersion of GONSs in the PAM matrix were studied by XRD and FESEM. The formation of oxygen-including groups on the surface of GONSs and hydrogen linking between GONSs and PAM was confirmed by FT-IR spectra and DTA. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to evaluate the thickness of the synthesized GONSs that was measured to be about 6.85 nm. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV/vis) spectroscopy illustrated the high percent of oxidation with more oxygen-including groups on the GONSs basal surface. Raman spectroscopy was also utilized to determine the induced disorder degree in the synthesized graphene oxide and distinguish the number of its layers. Thermal properties curves of GO/PAM nanocomposites represented an improvement trend in degradation temperature and a remaining amount up to GO-loaded (1.5 wt. %). The addition of GONSs also showed the significant improvement of viscoelastic behavior in PAM chains. The highest storage modulus (G'; 6.42 MPa) and loss modulus (G"; 0.98 MPa) are related to GO/PAM nanocomposite with 1.5 wt. % GO-loading. Based on the empirical result, the GONSs could remarkably enhance the thermal conductivity of PAM which was measured to be about 0.49 W.m-1.K-1. Thermal conductivity of GO1.5/PAM nanocomposite was about 0.9 W.m-1.K-1 that showed 84 % increase compared to the PAM.

PVC/NiFe2O4/Fe2O3 compositewas successfully synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the catalytic activity of PVC/NiFe2O4/Fe2O3 has been considered in the synthesis of two arylidene barbituric acid derivatives. The FT-IR and XRD results confirmed the synthesis of PVC/NiFe2O4/Fe2O3 composite. According to Scherre equation and the main peak at about 2θ = 41.72º, the average crystalline size of the nanoparticles determined at about 75 nm. Catalytic activity results show that the as-prepared composite is as an efficient catalyst. This study suggests that other PVC composites could be explored as a new catalyst for synthesis of other arylidene barbituric acids.

An efficient and mild synthesis of quinoxalines in cludingcyclo-condensation of 1, 2-phenylenediamine and 1, 2-diketonesin the presence of1mol% catalytic amount of SnO2 nanoparticles (1 mol%) in water at room temperature is established. On the whole, this study introduced at this point is substantial in terms of using water as solvent, low reaction time (5 to 10 minutes), high yields of products (85-88%), reusability of catalyst (three cycles), eco-friendliness, effortlessness of performance and it displays along the line of green chemistry.

Thanks to their outstanding advantages, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have recognized in various fields these days. One way to discover extra useful products against typical bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis) is NLCs loaded with essential oils. This paper aims to provide NLCs to encapsulate MA oil and characterize and survey the obtained MA oil-loaded NLCs on S. ep < /em> Thanks to their outstanding advantages, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have recognized in various fields these days. One way to discover extra useful products against typical bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis) is NLCs loaded with essential oils. This paper aims to provide NLCs to encapsulate MA oil, characterize, and survey the obtained MA oil-loaded NLCs on S. epidermidis. The combination has provided using the hot melt homogenization technique. Afterward, the particle size distribution (PSD) (particle size analyzer), morphology (SEM), zeta potential (surface charge of NLCs), and the stability (the effect of acidity) of the prepared NLCs were analyzed. This has followed by estimating the MIC of MA oil-loaded NLCs and comparing carriers and oil emulsion of MA against S. epidermidis. MA oil-loaded NLCs are spherical NPs with a mean size of 104.5 nm and narrow size distribution (PDI=0.22). The antibacterial evaluation results demonstrated that MA oil-loaded NLCs had a higher in vitro antimicrobial activity compared to the oil emulsion of MA. Consequently, NLCs could be a suitable carrier to enhance new antimicrobial agents. idermidis. The combination has provided using the hot melt homogenization technique. Afterward, the particle size distribution (PSD) (particle size analyzer), morphology (SEM), zeta potential (surface charge of NLCs), and the stability (the effect of acidity) of the prepared NLCs were analyzed. This has followed by estimating the MIC of MA oil-loaded NLCs and comparing carriers and oil emulsion of MA against S. epidermidis. MA oil-loaded NLCs are spherical NPs with a mean size of 104.5 nm and narrow size distribution (PDI=0.22). The antibacterial evaluation results demonstrated that MA oil-loaded NLCs had a higher in vitro antimicrobial activity compared to the oil emulsion of MA. Consequently, NLCs could be a suitable carrier to enhance new antimicrobial agents.

It was shown that the structure and particle size of zirconia nanoparticles has been controlled through the homogeneous precipitation process by using templates. Hexamine as the template led to ZrO2 nanoparticles with tetragonal structure, whereas coffee extract favored monoclinic structures. Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FeSEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements, Infrared and Raman analysis were used to view how the structure may possibly affect their spectrum characteristic.  Using these pure m- and t-ZrO2 phases as catalyst, were studied photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP). Higher degradation efficiency (50%) of the drug was observed at pH5.5 after 15 min using t-ZrO2 phase.

In this paper, MgAl2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the Sol-gel auto combustion method and were doped with different concentrations of Ni2+ (x= 0, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.03). By this method, a novel photocatalyst which had better decolorization percentages of Congo redcompared to MgAl2O4 was produced. The MgAl2O4 samples were calcinated at 1000 0C. The samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, FT-IR, EDX, and ICP-AES. The photocatalytic activity of MgAl2O4 samples were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) to confirm the performance rate of the photocatalyst. Also, the photocatalytic properties were investigated in the presence of UV light, certain amounts of photocatalysts, and Congo reddye. The best- obtained results of the photocatalytic activity among the prepared samples were Mg0.9Ni0.1Al2O4 because this photocatalyst had a removal conversion of 99.3 % of the dye after 90 min, which was better than other photocatalysts in similar conditions. Mg0.9Ni0.1Al2O4 was used as a photocatalyst five successfully times without any changes or loss of its high photocatalytic activity for this process. In this project, we used Ni2+ to dope MgAl2O4 nanoparticles. The results decolorization percentages of Congo redshowed that Mg0.9Ni0.1Al2O4 hadbetter efficiency compared to MgAl2O4, and other photocatalysts.

Tin oxide (SnO2)nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and the synthesized nanoparticles were annealed at different temperatures for characterization. The powders were investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The structural characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction which confirms the crystalline nature of the films with a tetragonal structure. SEM analysis of the powders enabled the conclusion that the prepared nanoparticles are spherical particles which are smaller in size composed of clustered and agglomerated nanoparticles.  From the absorption spectra the type of transition and band gap of the synthesized nanoparticles were estimated. The optical (UV-visible) spectrum exhibits a well defined absorption which in considerably blue shifted related to the peak absorption of bulk SnO2 indicating quantum size effect.

The design and optimization of nanostructure-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor is analyzed based on TiO2 sensing layer and modified electrode dimensions. The sensitivity of the gas sensor depends upon the type of sensing layer used and active surface area obtained by varying the aspect ratio. The performance of the sensor is observed from 0.1ppm to 100ppm concentration of hydrogen gas with respect to output displacement. The displacement of the sensor increases with the increase in concentration. The characteristic of the sensor is also studied by varying input and output inters digited transducers’ (IDT) height from 0.05µm to 0.5µm. The nanostructured TiO2 based sensor has shown increased total displacement and frequency shift of the device resulting enhanced sensitivity. At 0.05 µm IDT height the displacement is found to be a maximum. The operating frequency is considered to be 44 Mhz. Finite Element Modeling (FEM) is used for analysis of the sensor. Simulation is done in software named COMSOL Multiphysics to ensure the enhanced performance of the mechanically engineered surface-based (nanorod) SAW gas sensor.