Journal of Nano Structures
Volume:12 Issue: 2, Spring 2022

Green Synthesis of nanoparticles enables for medical and Food package applications. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are having antimicrobial and anti-viral properties that provides the cushion in drug delivery applications. Green Synthesis of copper nanoparticle from Capparis zeylanica plant and solution casting it with Polyethylene Glycol/Polyvinyl Alcohol can be utilized for food packaging, drug delivery and cancer therapy, etc. Capparis zeylanica plant extract act as both reducing and stabilizing agent on the outermost layer of copper nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposite were characterized and found to be of 65 nm of particle size using scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows the presence of various bio-active materials that were responsible for the stabilization of CuNPs. Differential Scanning Calorimentric studies on the composites shows that there a significant increment in the glass transition and melting temperature of the composites of +10 oC with that of the polymer blend. Moisture absorption and Anti-microbial analysis were carried out to understand the stability of the nanocomposites. Polyethylene Glycol/Polyvinyl Alcohol + Copper nanoparticles nanocomposite shows an excellent characteristic in most aspect that able to fit for bio-medical and food packaging applications.

In this study, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) were used as a nanocatalyst for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as an integral part of composite solid propellants (CSPs). Modification of MWCNTs was performed via acid treatment with concentrated aqueous solution of nitric acid, i.e. 7 M. FE-SEM and FT-IR analyses clearly revealed that nitric acid-treated materials under reflux conditions suffered the highest degree of modification and putting carboxylic acid functional groups on the top or even surface. Raman spectra displayed three types of defects in MWCNTs, i.e. D-band: sp3-hybridization of carbons, G-band: sp2-hybridization of carbons and D’-band: impurity on the surface. A composite was prepared by AP and MWCNT-COOH (3% wt.) via solvent-anti-solvent method and catalytic effects of these multi-walled carbon nanotubes were studied on the thermal decomposition behavior of AP by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results showed that MWCNT-COOH lowered high temperature decomposition by 89°C and this reaction occurred in one step which was complete decomposition.

In the present work, polypyrrole (PPy)-manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanocomposite based microwave absorber for studying the effect of the radiation on the modification of the patient’s functional state is reported. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images are used to characterize the prepared nanocomposites. Recently, new microwave-based imaging and hyperthermia applications have emerged in the field of diagnostics and therapy. This technology involves the application of low power microwaves, utilising contrast between the relative permittivity of tissues to identify pathologies. This contrast can be further enhanced through the implementation of nanomaterials. For therapy, this technology can be applied in tissues either through hyperthermia. Nanomaterials can absorb electromagnetic radiation and can enhance the microwave hyperthermic effect. Microwave generators of super-low intensity in the centimeter wavelength range at a power level not exceeding 1 μW/cm2 have been successfully used in experimental and clinical medicine. In the present work, we have implemented a project aimed at the development of a modular-type technical system designed to generate microwave radiation with specified properties. This article presented the electrophysiological efficiency of super-low intensity radiation in the centimeter range of wavelengths modulated by low-frequency signals similar to the EEG rhythm with cyclical variability of the duty cycle.

The current study aims to reveal the therapeutic effect of Xerogel nanocomposite prepared and diagnosed on liver and kidney tissues and the level of rheumatoid factor(RF) concentration in rats induced by Complete Freund Adjuvant(CFA)  with rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Twenty male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, each group containing 5 rats treated for 40 days: group 1 the negative control group, group 2 in which rheumatoid arthritis(RA) was induced by( CAF) by injecting 0.5 ml of the substance into the sole of the foot. Right was a positive control group, group 3: rats dosed with methotrexate (MTX) 125 mg/250g, group 4: rats dosed Xerogle/MTX 0.125mg/250 mg, liver and kidney parts were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the immune cytokines of rheumatoid factor(RF) immunoglobulin protein IgG were measured. The results of the current study showed that the induction of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) by CAF led to changes in the tissues of the liver and kidneys through necrosis and hemorrhage in their tissues, as well as an increase in the level of rheumatoid factor (G2) concentration, and that treatment with (MTX) 125 mg / 250 g (G3) led to restoration The damages that occurred after the induction of rheumatoid arthritis and reduced this rise significantly. Also, treatment with the nanocomposite Xerogel/ MTX 0.125 mg / 250 g (G4) also led to a significant reduction in the level of IgG concentration in albino rats by reducing damage and inflammation in liver and kidney cells. The study indicated that treatment with Xerogel nanocomposite loaded with MTX increases the protective effect against the harmful effect of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in liver and kidney tissue and lowers the immune parameters represented by rheumatoid factor(RF) IgG.

In this paper, nano magnetized composite of sea shell (SS) and walnut shell-waste based activated carbon (WAC), (SS/WAC/Fe3O4), was synthesized and used for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and UV-Vis were used to characterize the SS/WAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite. The SS/WAC/Fe3O4 nanocomposite proved to be an effective adsorbent in the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) in the optimized effective parameters. Effective parameters such as pH, adsorption time (min), adsorbent dosage (g/L) and initial dye concentration were optimized with Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Optimal adsorption conditions including pH=6.5, dye concentration of 4.0 mg L-1, adsorbent amount of 0.232 g L-1 and contact time of 40 min were obtained. Fitting the experimental equilibrium data to various isotherm models such as Langmuir and Freundlich models show the suitability and applicability of the Langmuir model. The maximum monolayer sorption capacity was 37.2 mg g-1. More than 93% removal efficiency for MB dye showed that this adsorbent is an effective natural compound and also inexpensive for treatment processes. Therefore, using this method and process to remove dye pollutants from aqueous media is recommended.

Nanotechnology can offer advantages to pesticides, like reducing toxicity, improving the shelf-life, and increasing the solubility of poorly water-soluble pesticides, all of which could have positive environmental impacts. Vicia faba L. is a high-protein forage and vegetable crop with a high productivity potential limited by pathogenic mycoflora. Fusariomycoses are dominant in the bean mycoses complex. Fusariosis are widely known phytomycoses globally with a wide range of mycotoxins, and beans are used for food, including in dietetics, and livestock feed, all over the world. This work aimed to select vegetable and forage beans with different degrees of resistance to Fusarium seedlings. For several years (1999-2020) in the soil and climatic conditions of the city of Belgorod (south of the central black earth region of Russia) on the territory of the National Research University “BelGU”, a collection of beans for fodder and vegetable use was studied against a natural infectious background. Fusariosis appeared annually at all stages of the growing season of broad beans. Severe damage to the seeds led to the death of seedlings. In some years, the prevalence of fusarium disease reached 72%, and the loss of grain yield - 68%. Fusarium sporotrichioides and Fusarium oxysporum were isolated and identified from the affected seedlings. Moreover, the former predominated on seedlings, the latter - on adult plants. Most of the tested varieties of beans (69%) were characterized by low resistance. No immune and fusarium-resistant bean varieties have been identified.

Flexible electronic printing devices have drawn significant attention due to the economic approach. Cotton fabric’s porosity and high surface roughness avoid electrically conductive printed patterns on the fabrics. In this study, the cotton fabric was pretreated with carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex (XSBL) with the pad-dry-cure process for in situ solution deposition of silver free particles inkjet ink. The pretreating process did not have an adverse effect on thermal behavior and colorimetric properties and improved the fabric’s crease recovery angle and hydrophobicity. The pretreated and untreated fabrics were printed through the HP Deskjet inkjet printer with one, five, and ten printing layers of formulated water-based silver free-particles ink for comparison. XRD analysis illustrated the crystal structure of silver nanoparticles on the printed pretreated cotton fabric. FE-SEM and EDS analysis indicated that the presence of silver nanoparticles increased by increasing the number of printing runs. Repetition printing sequences increased average particle size, growing grain size (52 nm to 90 nm). It was determined that the presence of XSBL on the fabric surface provides a suitable structure, with resistance (25 ohms) and antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria for use in multi-purpose inkjet printing cotton fabric. The printed pretreated fabrics exhibited appropriate washing fastness properties due to the cross-linked structure between free carboxylic groups of XSBL resin and hydroxyl groups of cellulose. It is the first time using an economical polymer layer on cotton fabrics to provide robust, flexible electronic inkjet printed fabric with great potential for commercial mass production.

The study presents the efficient synthesis of hexagonal wurtzite zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and a stable nano colloid by a one-pot thermolysis synthesis method. In this investigation, the average particle size for the synthesized ZnO was about 60 nm, condensed and adhesive zinc oxide thin films were productively sprayed onto fluorine doped tin oxide glass at room temperatures using a controllable electrostatic spray deposition method. This technique is useful method to deposit a facile, non-vacuum, and inexpensive layer. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and purity and surface morphology of thin film was confirmed by scanning electron microscope. Thermogravimetric analysis of the ZnO nanoparticles showed that weight loss continued until 450 ˚C. Results revealed optimized deposition conditions at the voltage of 26 kV, the flow rate of 3 μl/min, and nozzle to substrate distance of 8 cm. In the wavelength ranging between 300-900 nm, the optical absorbance and transmittance measurements were recorded and the UV–Visible spectrum of the ZnO thin film showed maximum absorbance at around 350 nm.

Hierarchical Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) thin films with high-surface area were deposited on a glass substrate using a hydrothermal technique at various deposition periods' durations for the first time. As-deposited CdS films have been investigated structural, optical, morphological, and photocatalytic properties. The results demonstrate that the deposition period has a substantial impact on the physical and chemical characteristics of these films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the structural characteristics of all samples are hexagonal and cubic phases. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals the development of hierarchical nanoflowers with tiny gaps at lower deposition times; nevertheless, the density of the nanoflakes rises as the deposition time increases. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images of the films indicate morphological alterations and an increase in surface roughness from 4.58 nm to 7.26 nm. In conjunction with different time deposition, the photoluminescence (PL) behavior of the samples is outstanding, with acceptable transmittance spectra in the visible range. The optical band gap is directly connected to the deposition conditions, according to the transmittance data analysis; a direct bandgap ranging from 2.34 to 2.17 e V was calculated. The nanoflowers cadmium sulfide films exhibited unprecedented photocatalytic activities for the decomposition of methyl blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) dyes, because high surface area, low energy gap, and efficient charge separation properties for prepared films.

In this paper, using the chemical bath deposition method and employing the suitable deposition temperature, internal doping of Cu2+ ions into nanocrystalline ZnS thin films is reported. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was used to evaluate the structure of the films, which consists of sub-7 nm crystallites of the cubic ZnS. FE-SEM images indicated that the surface morphology of the Cu-doped ZnS films is strongly dependent on dopant level. The influence of the Cu2+ ions concentration on optical and specially photoluminescence properties of the Cu:ZnS thin films have been investigated and discussed. Defect-free emission spectra at low deposition temperatures and the appearance of the dopant-related emission peak at higher temperatures demonstrate that this method is an effective strategy for chemical deposition of the Cu-doped ZnS nanocrystals on glass substrates. Furthermore, the concentration quenching effect on photoluminescence intensity has been observed which can be related to non-radiative transitions between electronic energy levels of the neighboring Cu2+ ions in the ZnS host lattice.

To develop a personalized approach to the use of ethoxidol in patients with CHD based on the definition of criteria for predicting the cytoprotective properties of this drug when tested in vitro. With the introduction of ethoxidol into a sample with a leukocyte suspension, a significant increase in VIcells by 21% (from 41% to 62%, p <0.001) was observed, which indicates the presence of a cytoprotective property in this drug. A more detailed analysis of the dynamics of the VIcells index showed two variants of changes in cell viability: in 80% of patients VIcells was increased, on average, by 28% (from 36% to 64%, p <0.001) and in 20% of patients VI cells was decreased, on average, by 10% (from 68% to 58%, p <0.05). A number of conditions for the initial state of a patient with CHD were identified for the manifestation of cytoprotective properties in ethoxidol: a proatherogenic cholesterol profile (with a serum cholesterol level above 6.6 mmol/l and a high-density lipoprotein level below 1.6 mmol /l), impaired antioxidant status ( low level of serum catalase activity - less than 5 μcatal/l), signs of mitochondrial dysfunction (increased serum urea levels above 8.3 mmol/l, decreased total blood protein levels below 76 g/l), depletion of the adaptation system function (a decrease in the level of lymphocytes in the blood less than 35% and an increase in the level of neutrophils more than 52%), the normal state of thrombopoiesis (the number of immature platelets is not more than 7%).

NiO/WO3 nanocomposites has been successfully synthesized by a precipitation deposition method with different mole ratios were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared Spectra (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques.Absorption range and band gap energy, which are responsible for the observed photocatalyst behavior, were investigated by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS). The formation of cubic structured NiO and orthorhombic structured WO3 was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The photocatalytic activity was tested for the degradation of Crystal Violet (CV) under visible-light irradiation. It was found that 0.5-0.5 mole NiO-WO3 displayed excellent photocatalytic activity than that of 0.6-0.4 mole NiO-WO3, 0.4-0.6 mole NiO-WO3. The effect of operation parameters such as initial dye concentration, pH and catalyst concentration has been investigated in detail.The mechanisms of the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite photocatalyst will be discussed by the p-n heterojunction principle and the valence band theory.The pure nanocomposite systems have been also reported for a comparative purpose.

This study presents the preparation of a nanocomposite compound from multi-walled carbon tubes with graphene in a ratio (1:1) and adding it to (TiO2) and then preparing the resulting compound as photoanode for the DSSC cell after treating it with (WS2QD) by hydrothermal method and comparing it with the DSSC cell. Based on (TiO2) as photoanode, the crystal structure of the basic materials and the prepared nanocompositeWS2QD/TiO2-NC have been studied using X-ray diffraction XRD, as well as the SEM and TEM examination. The physical and chemical properties have proved that the nanocomposite (WS2QD/TiO2-NC) has been produced within a nanoscale. The regular and pure WS2QD particles are successfully installed on the nanocomposite TiO2-NC and exhibit a high surface area and pore size (10µm) when compared to pure WS2QD. The nanocomposite WS2QD/TiO2-NC compound exhibits a PCE conversion efficiency (9.45%), which is relatively high if compared to Pure TiO2 (8.147%). The reason for improving the PCE of (WS2QD/TiO2-NC) is that the presence of MWCNTs and Graphen in the compound reduces the time to reconnect the electron-hole pair and efficiently stabilizes the WS2QD assembly to expose the entire active edges. On the other hand,  giving an increase in electrical conductivity facilitates electron transfer inside the compound.  Also, the presence of TiO2 improves the ability of the compound to absorb the photon and thus increases the photoelectric stimulation.

With the increasing use of electronics in everyday life, safe and effective energy storage devices have become a necessity. Methods to implement maximum possible charge storage along with compact size, economic feasibility, faster charging and discharging rates are few goals currently being chased by the research community. Supercapacitors can be a revolutionary technology in this regard and contribute to sustainable development in the energy sector. Novel methods of electrode material covering synthesis and design that are economically feasible, environmentally friendly and exhibit better charge storage capabilities, are needed for developing next generation supercapacitors. The journey of graphene-based supercapacitors from 2006 has been quite interesting. However, with graphene and other carbon-based materials, new developments are required to meet the high-power density requirements. This paper discusses the design of future supercapacitor electrodes based on ordered mesoporous carbon structures. The ordered nature of mesoporous networks would ensure better electrode- electrolyte interaction and faster charge movement resulting in better charging rates. Such supercapacitors are expected to outperform even the best contemporary supercapacitors of today.

The increasing rate of antibiotic resistance is a major threat for healthcare systems that elevate the necessity of exploring new materials to combat infectious diseases. Zinc oxide-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates to minimize drug resistance due to their potential antibacterial properties and also as cargo to deliver antibiotics for sustained release. Here, we engineer zinc oxide-based colloidal hybrid system comprised of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and amphiphilic poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizing agent for controlled drug release. Ciprofloxacin (CF) and metronidazole (MZ) with different polarities are encapsulated in PVP-PEG@ZnO nanohybrid as model antibiotics against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The present study investigates the effects of the CF/MZ: ZnO nanohybrid composition ratio on encapsulation efficiency, drug release, and antimicrobial activity. For the comparison, we also synthesized PEG@ZnO incorporated enrofloxacin (EFX) (model hydrophobic drug) by a sol-gel procedure. We report that our in vitro drug release kinetics are well aligned with Ritger-Peppas and Sahlin-Peppas equations. The binding efficacy of drugs and PVP-PEG@ZnO nanohybrid was investigated using molecular dynamic simulations and DFT methods. Free energy calculations and root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) were applied to analyze binding interactions. This research will provides an insight into the engineering of ZnO-based nanomaterials for dual-drug delivery to improve infection treatment.

This article, thin films of cadmium sulfide nanocrystals (CdS)”were prepared by “Spin Coating” technology deposited on the glass substrates with various concentrations of Cd and S (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25) M. The structural characteristics of the prepared film were characterized using the X-ray diffraction “XRD”, The Scanning electron microscope with field emission (FE-SEM)”, the atomic force microscope (AFM), and the optical properties with UV-Visible measurement”. The thin film with a concentration of (1M) has good structural and optical properties that reveal desirable for photovoltaic applications. The “XRD” revealed that all films have a cubic phase structure, with diffraction peaks of (111), (220), and (311), respectively, at 2 = 26, 43, and 51 for the deposit) the preferred orientation of its peak (111) at 2 =26.In addition, high intensities of peaks in film concentration of 0.75 M have been observed due to high crystallinity, low crystalline size, and roughness. However, The 1 M film concentration exhibits a lower crystallinity, a small crystalline size, and a high roughness. According to the FE-SEM, The nanospheres uniformly shape the structure that has been formed throughout the whole substrate surface, and There are no fractures or pinholes in any of the Cadmium-Sulfide films, and they are uniform and neatly wrapped around the substrate. A thin layer (1 M) with a uniform absorption spectrum for all visible wavelengths has a high absorption spectrum, according to the optical characteristics. The absorption values of the thin sheet (1M) are substantial. In the viewable range, all films are transparent, according to this study. The energygap increases with the decreases in molarity, and the measured energy gap is in good agreement with the energy-gap bulk.

In the current report synthesis soft magnetic nickel ferrite nanoparticles by hydrothermal and microwave method without using any surfactant. At the second step cadmium sulfide photoluminescence nanoparticles first were prepared without applying surfactant and capping agent at water as a green solvent, then effect of natural and chemical surfactants on the morphology and size of nanoparticles was investigated. NiFe2O4-CdS nanocomposite was synthesized by hydrothermal method. Nano-particles were entirely characterized using X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. NiFe2O4-CdS nanocomposite shows competent photoluminescence property under ultraviolet irradiation. Our results approve this nanocomposite is a novel sensor for detecting of the toxic heavy metal ions. Among toxic heavy metal ions, harmful influences of lead, cadmium and mercury on human health are well known to cause many sicknesses. In this investigation heavy metals and bacteria have been detected by prepared materials.  Fluorescent sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity are considered to be the most suitable sensors for detection of heavy metal ions.

A photocatalyst, silver-kaolinite-titanium dioxide (Ag-K-T) composite, with less toxicity and cheaper in price was synthesized and studied under visible light source for degradation of a standard textile dye, Methylene Blue (MB). The catalyst was synthesized by mixing, pounding, pressurizing, grinding and calcining of Ag(I) nitrate with kaolinite and then with TiO2 under certain specific environment and conditions. The characterization of the composite catalyst was done with XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, TEM, AFM, TGA, CEC, BET, UV-DRS and PL analyses. The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue on the prepared material was investigated with process parameter variations such as catalyst loading, input dye concentration, pH of the medium and reaction time. The prepared Ag-K-T composite material had large surface area, considerably high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and fine porous nature. The aqueous dye solution (5x10-6M) was almost 100% degradable under experimental conditions of 0.5 g L-1 catalyst loading, 70 min reaction time and 7.5 pH. The photocatalyst was easily separable from the reaction mixture, could be regenerated and recycled successfully up to three cycles with decrease of 1.68% of degradation rate. The work shows the potential for Ag-K-T photocatalyst to be used as a multifunctional material particularly with respect to decolourisation of wastewater containing dyes and pigments.

In this research, ZnMoO4 nanoparticles was synthesized through novel and fast chemical method. The products were prepared under different irradiation time and power. The shape, size, and crystalline structure have been investigated through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis respectively. The optical properties of samples were prepared via UV-Vis analysis. Results confirmed that shape and size of ZnMoO4 nanoparticles could be changed under different synthesis condition. The obtained results from optical properties of prepared ZnMoO4 nanoparticles approved that the prepared nanoparticles have high potential for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. Methylene blue and rhodamine B were applied for investigation phtocatalytic properties of ZnMoO4 nanoparticles. Results showed that methylene blue and rhodamine B were photodegraded under UV irradiation after 90 minutes 92.6% and 82.4% respectively. This excellent performance was due to the suitable band structure of synthesized ZnMoO4 nanoparticles which led to prevention recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. This work introduces ZnMoO4 nanoparticles as an attractive photocatalyst for removal of organic pollutants from water.

In this study, magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposites x(NiFe2O4)@(100-x)SiO2@HKUST-1 (10≤x≤60wt.%) were synthesized by an in-situ self-assembled method which is one of the green synthesis methods. Synthesized samples were characterized and their interaction with curcumin were investigated in aqueous solution. Phase formation, type of bonds formed, appearance and size of crystals, magnetic property and size of the specific surface area analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and BET surface area respectively. Results showed as the weight ratio of ferrite nickel to the silica substrate increases, the magnetic saturation increasing. By increasing the weigth percentages of nickel ferrite from 10 to 50%, the BET surface area increases and pore volume decreases. Finally, the adsorption and interaction of curcumin and effective parameters such as drug and adsorbent dose on adsorption rates were investigated. Results showed the highest adsorption value (94%) was obtained for magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposite (30% by weight) at pH=7, ambient temperature, contact time of 8 hours and with the weight ratio (2:1) of curcumin to synthesized magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposite. Experimental data were better matched with Frondelich’s adsorption isotherm. Although synthetic studies have shown that the process of adsorption and interaction of curcumin with a synthesized magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposite, follows the quasi-second-order model.