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Future Perspectives in Nanostructured Materials Preparation, Characteristics and Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 19170

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Chemistry and Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Technical University, 430122 Baia Mare, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; magnetic nanocomposites; sol-gel synthesis; ferrite preparations and characterization techniques; food thermal behavior; flavor analysis; volatile profile; applications
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The characteristics of nanoparticles, such as their size, shape, surface morphology, crystal structure, grain boundaries, and composition, can be tuned to match the intended use. Thus, the design of nanostructured materials with a wide range of applications in the engineering, chemistry, physics, ceramics, biotechnology, biomedicine, and environmental fields represents an active area of research. Nanostructured materials are now widely used in research and industry, their particular properties allowing advanced physicochemical, electrical, thermal, catalytic, coloristic, optical, and magnetic applications.

The present Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of original research articles, communications, or reviews that focus on the development, characterization, and/or applications of nanoparticles and their composites.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

  • Various synthesis routes for nanoparticles and nanocomposites;
  • Preparation and characteristics of nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, or nanofibers;
  • Thermal behavior of nanomaterials and their composites;
  • Structural characterization by XRD, FT-IR, Mossbauer, or XPS;
  • Surface characterization by BET;
  • Morphological characterization by TEM, SEM, or AFM;
  • Magnetic applications of nanostructured materials;
  • Adsorption or photocatalytic properties of nanostructured materials used in the environmental field;
  • Application of nanocomposites for water decontamination: removal of heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, and other pollutants;
  • Pigments based on materials used in glazes;
  • Materials for high-performance batteries;
  • Nanosensors, catalysis, and photocatalysis, oxidation processes, and antimicrobial activity;
  • Medical applications of nanomaterials.

Dr. Thomas Dippong
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanostructured materials
  • synthesis routes
  • characterization
  • magnetic application
  • medical application

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 5424 KiB  
Article
Surface Functionalisation of Self-Assembled Quantum Dot Microlasers with a DNA Aptamer
by Bethan K. Charlton, Dillon H. Downie, Isaac Noman, Pedro Urbano Alves, Charlotte J. Eling and Nicolas Laurand
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914416 - 22 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1193
Abstract
The surface functionalisation of self-assembled colloidal quantum dot supraparticle lasers with a thrombin binding aptamer (TBA-15) has been demonstrated. The self-assembly of CdSSe/ZnS alloyed core/shell microsphere-shape CQD supraparticles emitting at 630 nm was carried out using an oil-in-water emulsion technique, yielding microspheres with [...] Read more.
The surface functionalisation of self-assembled colloidal quantum dot supraparticle lasers with a thrombin binding aptamer (TBA-15) has been demonstrated. The self-assembly of CdSSe/ZnS alloyed core/shell microsphere-shape CQD supraparticles emitting at 630 nm was carried out using an oil-in-water emulsion technique, yielding microspheres with an oleic acid surface and an average diameter of 7.3 ± 5.3 µm. Surface modification of the microspheres was achieved through a ligand exchange with mercaptopropionic acid and the subsequent attachment of TBA-15 using EDC/NHS coupling, confirmed by zeta potential and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. Lasing functionality between 627 nm and 635 nm was retained post-functionalisation, with oleic acid- and TBA-coated microspheres exhibiting laser oscillation with thresholds as low as 4.10 ± 0.37 mJ·cm−2 and 7.23 ± 0.78 mJ·cm−2, respectively. Full article
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15 pages, 5503 KiB  
Article
Metallic Nanowires Self-Assembled in Quasi-Circular Nanomolds Templated by DNA Origami
by David Daniel Ruiz Arce, Shima Jazavandi Ghamsari, Artur Erbe and Enrique C. Samano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13549; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713549 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 946
Abstract
The self-assembly of conducting nanostructures is currently being investigated intensively in order to evaluate the feasibility of creating novel nanoelectronic devices and circuits using such pathways. In particular, methods based on so-called DNA Origami nanostructures have shown great potential in the formation of [...] Read more.
The self-assembly of conducting nanostructures is currently being investigated intensively in order to evaluate the feasibility of creating novel nanoelectronic devices and circuits using such pathways. In particular, methods based on so-called DNA Origami nanostructures have shown great potential in the formation of metallic nanowires. The main challenge of this method is the reproducible generation of very well-connected metallic nanostructures, which may be used as interconnects in future devices. Here, we use a novel design of nanowires with a quasi-circular cross-section as opposed to rectangular or uncontrolled cross-sections in earlier studies. We find indications that the reliability of the fabrication scheme is enhanced and the overall resistance of the wires is comparable to metallic nanostructures generated by electrochemistry or top-down methods. In addition, we observe that some of the nanowires are annealed when passing a current through them, which leads to a clear enhancement for the conductance. We envision that these nanowires provide further steps towards the successful generation of nanoelectronics using self-assembly. Full article
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14 pages, 3898 KiB  
Article
Flexible Curcumin-Loaded Zn-MOF Hydrogel for Long-Term Drug Release and Antibacterial Activities
by Jiaxin Li, Yachao Yan, Yingzhi Chen, Qinglin Fang, Muhammad Irfan Hussain and Lu-Ning Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411439 - 14 Jul 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
Management of chronic inflammation and wounds has always been a key issue in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Curcumin (CCM) is an active ingredient extracted from turmeric rhizomes with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities, thus showing significant effectiveness toward wound healing. However, its [...] Read more.
Management of chronic inflammation and wounds has always been a key issue in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Curcumin (CCM) is an active ingredient extracted from turmeric rhizomes with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities, thus showing significant effectiveness toward wound healing. However, its shortcomings, such as poor water solubility, poor chemical stability, and fast metabolic rate, limit its bioavailability and long-term use. In this context, hydrogels appear to be a versatile matrix for carrying and stabilizing drugs due to their biomimetic structure, soft porous microarchitecture, and favorable biomechanical properties. The drug loading/releasing efficiencies can also be controlled via using highly crystalline and porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, a flexible hydrogel composed of a sodium alginate (SA) matrix and CCM-loaded MOFs was constructed for long-term drug release and antibacterial activity. The morphology and physicochemical properties of composite hydrogels were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Raman spectroscopy, and mechanical property tests. The results showed that the composite hydrogel was highly twistable and bendable to comply with human skin mechanically. The as-prepared hydrogel could capture efficient CCM for slow drug release and effectively kill bacteria. Therefore, such composite hydrogel is expected to provide a new management system for chronic wound dressings. Full article
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14 pages, 2117 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Study of Composite Cements on Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Palatal Origin
by Alina Ioana Ardelean, Madalina Florina Dragomir, Marioara Moldovan, Codruta Sarosi, Gertrud Alexandra Paltinean, Emoke Pall, Lucian Barbu Tudoran, Ioan Petean and Liviu Oana
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10911; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310911 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 977
Abstract
Uniform filler distribution in composites is an important requirement. Therefore, BaO glass, nano hydroxyapatite and quartz filler distribution was realized through PCL microcapsules which progressively release filler during matrix polymerization. Two composites were realized based on a complex matrix containing BisGMA, UDMA, HEMA [...] Read more.
Uniform filler distribution in composites is an important requirement. Therefore, BaO glass, nano hydroxyapatite and quartz filler distribution was realized through PCL microcapsules which progressively release filler during matrix polymerization. Two composites were realized based on a complex matrix containing BisGMA, UDMA, HEMA and PEG400 mixed with a previously described mineral filler: 33% for C1 and 31% for C2. The spreading efficiency was observed via SEM, revealing a complete disintegration of the microcapsules during C1 polymerization, while C2 preserved some microcapsule parts that were well embedded into the matrix beside BaO filler particles; this was confirmed by means of the EDS spectra. Mesenchymal stem cells of palatal origin were cultured on the composites for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was measured at each time interval and the cytotoxicity was tested after 3, 5 and 7 days of co-culture on the composite samples. The SEM investigation showed that both composites allowed for robust proliferation of the cells. The MSC cell pluripotency stage was observed from 1 to 3 days with an average level of ALP of 209.2 u/L for C1 and 193.0 u/L for C2 as well as a spindle cell morphology. Cell differentiation occurred after 5 and 7 days of culture, implied by morphological changes such as flattened, star and rounded shapes, observed via SEM, which were correlated with an increased ALP level (279.4 u/L for C1 and 284.3 u/L for C2). The EDX spectra after 7 days of co-culture revealed increasing amounts of P and Ca close to the hydroxyapatite stoichiometry, indicating the stimulation of the osteoinductive behavior of MSCs by C1 and C2. The MTT assay test showed a cell viability of 98.08% for C1 and 97.33% for C2 after 3 days, proving the increased biocompatibility of the composite samples. The cell viability slightly decreased at 5 and 7 days but the results were still excellent: 89.5% for C1 and 87.3% for C2. Thus, both C1 and C2 are suitable for further in vivo testing. Full article
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25 pages, 3501 KiB  
Article
Screening of Mono-, Di- and Trivalent Cationic Dopants for the Enhancement of Thermal Behavior, Kinetics, Structural, Morphological, Surface and Magnetic Properties of CoFe2O4-SiO2 Nanocomposites
by Thomas Dippong, Erika Andrea Levei, Ioan Petean, Iosif Grigore Deac, Raluca Anca Mereu and Oana Cadar
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9703; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119703 - 2 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1167
Abstract
CoFe2O4 is a promising functional material for various applications. The impact of doping with different cations (Ag+, Na+, Ca2+, Cd2+, and La3+) on the structural, thermal, kinetics, morphological, surface, and [...] Read more.
CoFe2O4 is a promising functional material for various applications. The impact of doping with different cations (Ag+, Na+, Ca2+, Cd2+, and La3+) on the structural, thermal, kinetics, morphological, surface, and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel method and calcined at 400, 700 and 1000 °C is investigated. The thermal behavior of reactants during the synthesis process reveals the formation of metallic succinates up to 200 °C and their decomposition into metal oxides that further react and form the ferrites. The rate constant of succinates’ decomposition into ferrites calculated using the isotherms at 150, 200, 250, and 300 °C decrease with increasing temperature and depend on the doping cation. By calcination at low temperatures, single-phase ferrites with low crystallinity were observed, while at 1000 °C, the well-crystallized ferrites were accompanied by crystalline phases of the silica matrix (cristobalite and quartz). The atomic force microscopy images reveal spherical ferrite particles covered by an amorphous phase, the particle size, powder surface area, and coating thickness contingent on the doping ion and calcination temperature. The structural parameters estimated via X-ray diffraction (crystallite size, relative crystallinity, lattice parameter, unit cell volume, hopping length, density) and the magnetic parameters (saturation magnetization, remanent magnetization, magnetic moment per formula unit, coercivity, and anisotropy constant) depend on the doping ion and calcination temperature. Full article
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12 pages, 1312 KiB  
Communication
Impact of Chronic Oral Administration of Gold Nanoparticles on Cognitive Abilities of Mice
by Alexandra L. Ivlieva, Elena N. Petritskaya, Dmitriy A. Rogatkin, Inga Zinicovscaia, Nikita Yushin and Dmitrii Grozdov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(10), 8962; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24108962 - 18 May 2023
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
The influence of gold nanoparticles after their prolonged oral administration to mice (during pregnancy and lactation) on spatial memory and anxiety levels in offspring was investigated. Offspring were tested in the Morris water maze and in the elevated Plus-maze. The average specific mass [...] Read more.
The influence of gold nanoparticles after their prolonged oral administration to mice (during pregnancy and lactation) on spatial memory and anxiety levels in offspring was investigated. Offspring were tested in the Morris water maze and in the elevated Plus-maze. The average specific mass content of gold which crossed the blood–brain barrier was measured using neutron activation analysis and constituted 3.8 ng/g for females and 1.1 ng/g for offspring. Experimental offspring showed no differences in spatial orientation and memory compared to the control, while their anxiety levels increased. Gold nanoparticles influenced the emotional state of mice exposed to nanoparticles during prenatal and early postnatal development, but not their cognitive abilities. Full article
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17 pages, 4325 KiB  
Article
Injectable Hydrogel Guides Neurons Growth with Specific Directionality
by Yun-Hsiu Tseng, Tien-Li Ma, Dun-Heng Tan, An-Jey A. Su, Kia M. Washington, Chun-Chieh Wang, Yu-Ching Huang, Ming-Chung Wu and Wei-Fang Su
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097952 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1832
Abstract
Visual disabilities affect more than 250 million people, with 43 million suffering from irreversible blindness. The eyes are an extension of the central nervous system which cannot regenerate. Neural tissue engineering is a potential method to cure the disease. Injectability is a desirable [...] Read more.
Visual disabilities affect more than 250 million people, with 43 million suffering from irreversible blindness. The eyes are an extension of the central nervous system which cannot regenerate. Neural tissue engineering is a potential method to cure the disease. Injectability is a desirable property for tissue engineering scaffolds which can eliminate some surgical procedures and reduce possible complications and health risks. We report the development of the anisotropic structured hydrogel scaffold created by a co-injection of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) solution and co-polypeptide solution. The positively charged poly (L-lysine)-r-poly(L-glutamic acid) with 20 mol% of glutamic acid (PLLGA) is crosslinked with negatively charged CNF while promoting cellular activity from the acid nerve stimulate. We found that CNF easily aligns under shear forces from injection and is able to form hydrogel with an ordered structure. Hydrogel is mechanically strong and able to support, guide, and stimulate neurite growth. The anisotropy of our hydrogel was quantitatively determined in situ by 2D optical microscopy and 3D X-ray tomography. The effects of PLLGA:CNF blend ratios on cell viability, neurite growth, and neuronal signaling are systematically investigated in this study. We determined the optimal blend composition for stimulating directional neurite growth yielded a 16% increase in length compared with control, reaching anisotropy of 30.30% at 10°/57.58% at 30°. Using measurements of calcium signaling in vitro, we found a 2.45-fold increase vs. control. Based on our results, we conclude this novel material and unique injection method has a high potential for application in neural tissue engineering. Full article
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14 pages, 2312 KiB  
Article
Facile Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Functionalized Disiloxanes with Nonconventional Fluorescence by Thiol–Epoxy Click Reaction
by Jing Tang, Shengyu Feng and Dengxu Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 7785; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097785 - 24 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1227
Abstract
Herein, a series of novel sulfur-containing functionalized disiloxanes based on a low-cost and commercially available material, i.e., 1,3-bis(3-glycidoxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, and various thiol compounds were prepared by thiol–epoxy click reaction. It was found that both lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) have high catalytic [...] Read more.
Herein, a series of novel sulfur-containing functionalized disiloxanes based on a low-cost and commercially available material, i.e., 1,3-bis(3-glycidoxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, and various thiol compounds were prepared by thiol–epoxy click reaction. It was found that both lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) have high catalytic activity after optimizing the reaction condition, and the reaction can be carried out with high yields, excellent regioselectivity, mild reaction condition, and good tolerance of functional groups. These compounds exhibit excellent nonconventional fluorescence due to the formation of coordination bonds between Si atoms and heteroatoms (e.g., S or N) and can emit blue fluorescence upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. These results demonstrate that the thiol–epoxy click reaction could promisingly act as an efficient organosilicon synthetic methodology to construct various organosilicon materials with novel structures and functionality, and thus their application scope will be significantly expanded. Full article
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14 pages, 5088 KiB  
Article
Water Decontamination from Cr(VI) by Transparent Silica Xerogel Monolith
by Marco Zannotti, Andrea Rossi, Marco Minicucci, Stefano Ferraro, Laura Petetta and Rita Giovannetti
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087430 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 926
Abstract
Cr(VI) is highly soluble and mobile in water solution and extremely toxic. In order to obtain a specific material with adsorption properties towards Cr(VI), and that can be used in environmental remediation of water contaminated with Cr(VI), one-step sol-gel technique, at low temperature [...] Read more.
Cr(VI) is highly soluble and mobile in water solution and extremely toxic. In order to obtain a specific material with adsorption properties towards Cr(VI), and that can be used in environmental remediation of water contaminated with Cr(VI), one-step sol-gel technique, at low temperature (50 °C), has been optimized to prepare transparent silica-based xerogel monolith by using tetraethyl orthosilicate as precursor. The obtained xerogel, with disk shape, was fully characterized by Raman, BET, FE-SEM and XRD analysis. The results indicated that the material showed silica amorphous phase and high porosity. The study of the adsorption properties towards different concentrations of Cr(VI), in the form of HCrO4 in acidic condition, showed prominent results. The absorption kinetics were evaluated by studying different models, the final result showing that the absorption of Cr(VI) occurred through intra-particle diffusion process, following two steps, and that the absorption equilibrium is regulated by Freundlich isotherm model. The material can be restored by reducing the hazardous Cr(VI) to Cr(III), a less toxic form of chromium, by 1,5-diphenylcarbazide, and with successive treatment in acidic water. Full article
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26 pages, 8247 KiB  
Article
Recovery of W(VI) from Wolframite Ore Using New Synthetic Schiff Base Derivative
by Rawan E. Elbshary, Ayman A. Gouda, Ragaa El Sheikh, Mohammed S. Alqahtani, Mohamed Y. Hanfi, Bahig M. Atia, Ahmed K. Sakr and Mohamed A. Gado
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087423 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1480
Abstract
A new synthetic material, namely, (3-(((4-((5-(((S)-hydroxyhydrophosphoryl)oxy)-2-nitrobenzylidene) amino) phenyl) imino) methyl)-4-nitrophenyl hydrogen (R)-phosphonate)), was subjected to a quaternary ammonium salt and named (HNAP/QA). Several characterizations, such as FTIR spectrometry, 1H-NMR analysis, 13C-NMR analysis, 31P-NMR Analysis, TGA analysis, and GC-MS analysis, were [...] Read more.
A new synthetic material, namely, (3-(((4-((5-(((S)-hydroxyhydrophosphoryl)oxy)-2-nitrobenzylidene) amino) phenyl) imino) methyl)-4-nitrophenyl hydrogen (R)-phosphonate)), was subjected to a quaternary ammonium salt and named (HNAP/QA). Several characterizations, such as FTIR spectrometry, 1H-NMR analysis, 13C-NMR analysis, 31P-NMR Analysis, TGA analysis, and GC-MS analysis, were performed to ensure its felicitous preparation. HNAP/QA is capable of the selective adsorption of W(VI) ions from its solutions and from its rock leachate. The optimum factors controlling the adsorption of W(VI) ions on the new adsorbent were studied in detail. Furthermore, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied. The adsorption reaction fits the Langmuir model. The sorption process of the W(VI) ions is spontaneous due to the negative value of ∆G° calculated for all temperatures, while the positive value of ∆H° proves that the adsorption of the W(VI) ions adsorption on HNAP/QA is endothermic. The positive value of ∆S° suggests that the adsorption occurs randomly. Ultimately, the recovery of W(IV) from wolframite ore was conducted successfully. Full article
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9 pages, 1994 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Structure on Magnetic Properties of Calcium-Phosphate Systems Doped with Iron and Vanadium Ions
by Dania Racolta, Constantin Andronache, Maria Balasoiu, Leonard Mihaly-Cozmuta, Vadim Sikolenko, Oleg Orelovich, Andrey Rogachev, Gheorghe Borodi and Gheorghe Iepure
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087366 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1029
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the glasses made of x(Fe2O3∙V2O5)∙(100 − x)[P2O5∙CaO] with x ranging of 0–50%. The contribution of Fe2O3 and V [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the glasses made of x(Fe2O3∙V2O5)∙(100 − x)[P2O5∙CaO] with x ranging of 0–50%. The contribution of Fe2O3 and V2O5 amount on the structure of P2O5·CaO matrix was investigated. The vitreous materials were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction analysis), EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. A hyperfine structure typical for isolated V4+ ions was noticed to all spectra containing low amount of V2O5. The XRD spectra show the amorphous nature of samples, apart x = 50%. An overlap of the EPR spectrum of a broad line without the hyperfine structure characteristic of clustered ions was observed with increasing V2O5 content. The results of magnetic susceptibility measurements explain the antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic interactions expressed between the iron and vanadium ions in the investigated glass. Full article
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16 pages, 3209 KiB  
Article
3D Hierarchical Porous and N-Doped Carbonized Microspheres Derived from Chitin for Remarkable Adsorption of Congo Red in Aqueous Solution
by Taimei Cai, Huijie Chen, Lihua Yao and Hailong Peng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010684 - 30 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1505
Abstract
A novel adsorbent of N-doped carbonized microspheres were developed from chitin (N-doped CM-chitin) for adsorption of Congo red (CR). The N-doped CM-chitin showed spherical shape and consisted of carbon nanofibers with 3D hierarchical architecture. There were many micro/nano-pores existing in N-doped CM-chitin with [...] Read more.
A novel adsorbent of N-doped carbonized microspheres were developed from chitin (N-doped CM-chitin) for adsorption of Congo red (CR). The N-doped CM-chitin showed spherical shape and consisted of carbon nanofibers with 3D hierarchical architecture. There were many micro/nano-pores existing in N-doped CM-chitin with high surface area (455.703 m2 g−1). The N element was uniformly distributed on the carbon nanofibers and formed with oxidize-N graphitic-N, pyrrolic-N, and pyridinic-N. The N-doped CM-chitin showed excellent adsorption capability for CR and the maximum adsorption amount was approximate 954.47 mg g−1. The π-π/n-π interaction, hydrogen-bond interactions, and pore filling adsorption might be the adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption of N-doped CM-chitin was considered as a spontaneous endothermic adsorption process, and which well conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The N-doped CM-chitin exhibited an effective adsorption performance for dynamic CR water with good reusability. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the fabrication of a novel N-doped adsorbent from low-cost and waste biomasses. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 4449 KiB  
Review
Gold-Based Nanostructures for Antibacterial Application
by Chinmaya Mutalik, Muhammad Saukani, Muhamad Khafid, Dyah Ika Krisnawati, Widodo, Rofik Darmayanti, Betristasia Puspitasari, Tsai-Mu Cheng and Tsung-Rong Kuo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210006 - 11 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2014
Abstract
Bacterial infections have become a fatal threat because of the abuse of antibiotics in the world. Various gold (Au)-based nanostructures have been extensively explored as antibacterial agents to combat bacterial infections based on their remarkable chemical and physical characteristics. Many Au-based nanostructures have [...] Read more.
Bacterial infections have become a fatal threat because of the abuse of antibiotics in the world. Various gold (Au)-based nanostructures have been extensively explored as antibacterial agents to combat bacterial infections based on their remarkable chemical and physical characteristics. Many Au-based nanostructures have been designed and their antibacterial activities and mechanisms have been further examined and demonstrated. In this review, we collected and summarized current developments of antibacterial agents of Au-based nanostructures, including Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au nanoclusters (AuNCs), Au nanorods (AuNRs), Au nanobipyramids (AuNBPs), and Au nanostars (AuNSs) according to their shapes, sizes, and surface modifications. The rational designs and antibacterial mechanisms of these Au-based nanostructures are further discussed. With the developments of Au-based nanostructures as novel antibacterial agents, we also provide perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for future practical clinical applications. Full article
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